We’ve got two iPhone accessories this week that power up the phone through alternative means—one through hand-cranking, the other through solar. Also: A bunch of new Apple Watch gadgets to enjoy.
The $69 CalypsoPad is a kind of slightly plush viewing stand for your iPhone 6; it’s made of soft Italian leather and embedded with magnets to hold your phone in place at a gentle viewing angle—and it also holds your charging cord in place for easy access to power.
This company lets you create your own Customizable Apple Watch Band by connecting to Instagram or Facebook, picking your favorite picture, and using it to fill in the details on your band. Not into DIY? You can pick from Casetify’s “Launch Collection” lineup of four different Apple Watch bands for $50 apiece.
Here’s an Indiegogo project we kind of love: The CrankCase is pretty much exactly what it sounds like—an iPhone case with a windup crank to let you create your own power for the phone when it’s in need of recharging. Now if they invent one of these for the Apple Watch—so that you can wind up your watch every day like your grandfather did—the circle of technology will be complete.
Time for the luxury accessories to rear their head: The $70 Charging Stand for Apple Watch is made from “rich elegant California American Walnut” and has a weighted steel base for “sturdy” placement. A “travel mode” lets you wrap the cable and charger into one package.
The $100 Surfr for iPhone 6 features a 2,700 mAh battery which can be charged by either a conventional wall outlet or by the integrated solar panel on the back of the case. The only thing you have to fear is a cloudy day.
The $100 Extreme Spartan is a 13,000 mAh battery that is “waterproof, shock-proof, dust-proof, and snow-proof”—its pass-through charging port allows you to charge the Spartan and two other devices at the same time. It’s pitched as being “perfect for outdoor activities.”
The $60 Stand is a “a minimalist, honest charging stand for Apple Watch,” built from aluminum and rubber footing. It comes in space grey or silver.
Pioneer has unveiled its second generation of Nex Receivers, in-dash touchscreens that let you control your music and other iOS apps using Apple CarPlay. They range from the $750 AVIC-5100NEX with its 6.2-inch screen to the AVIC-8100NEX and its 7-inch screen. Compatible with the iPhone 5 or later models.
Author: Joel Mathis
Joel Mathis is a regular contributor to Macworld and TechHive. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife and young son.