Six of the best iPhone accessories (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Six of the best iPhone accessories

7:00am Saturday 22nd September 2012 in Lifestyle

Six of the best gadgets and gizmos on a theme. This week: Six of the best iPhone accessories

By Peter Jenkinson

The handset that keeps other manufacturers playing catch-up is about to get them all running around in circles for the fifth time, as the iPhone 5 gets its grand unveiling.

Instead of trying to buy your way out of that expensive contract you took out on the last iPhone model, perhaps a better idea is to hang around for a while until prices come down on the new one.

Why not add an inexpensive accessory to enhance your current smartphone, or indeed your new one? We've hunted down six different ways for you to jazz up your contraption.

Hold It - Spiderpodium - £14.95 from www.breffo.com

This eight-legged rubber-hugger will grip your handset and create about the most effective phone stand on the market - and about the best looking one, too. Available in multiple hues, this device lets you easily attach your handset in-car, in-kitchen and, in-fact, just about anywhere.

Music Machine - Numark iDJ Live Software Controller - £74.99 from www.carphonewarehouse.com

Once you've docked your iDevice into this smart-looking turntable, you can mix up your tunes in the privacy of your own home. Using your iTunes library, two decks, a central console with crossfader, and a selection of other buttons and dials, it gives you a professional DJ set-up. You're going to love this.

Home Phone - Retro Mobile Phone Handset - £12.99 from www.geniegadgets.com

This blast from the past is actually a really helpful addition to any smartphone accessory collection. By enabling you to take calls without lifting up your mobile, you can still access your diary, address book and other info on your smartphone while you're having a chat. The retro handset plugs into a standard 3.5mm headphone jack.

Snap Happy - Duo Lens - £19.95 from www.red5.co.uk

Want to take great snaps on your phone without having to lug about multiple lenses? Just clip one of these smart gizmos onto your device's camera lens to take impressive imagery. This compact, portable gadget performs as a macro lens for detailed close ups, and as a wide angle lens if you want to get more into the frame. It stays on perfectly, is made from top-quality materials and comes with a cloth and a carry case for transportation.

Save It - Doctor Who Tardis Smart Safe - £29.99 from www.firebox.com

An extraordinary gadget (in our humble opinion) that lets you stash your stuff safely on your desktop at work. After setting your smartphone up with a pass code, you place items inside the Tardis, then secure it, leaving your phone slotted into the top of the box. When you are ready to take your things out of the safe, just tap your chosen pass number into your phone and the door will open.

Tedious Trip - Mi Train Journey Smartphone Display - £19.99 from www.iwoot.com

Film your own out-of-window experience on a train trip or download somebody elses, then slot your smartphone into this device and press play. It is quite astounding how very useless yet addictive this gadget is. It's set up like a mini train carriage, and there's even a plastic lady in a seat looking woefully bored. We suggest sticking Lego Minifigures in the seat opposite.

App of the week: Carphone Warehouse Bill Angel - free from Google Play and iTunes

Us Britons waste more than £1.5 billion annually by exceeding our tariff allowances, but this app aims to assist. Let it know your monthly allowances, set the alerts, and it'll tell you when you're almost over your call, text and data usage.