You can tell they’re an iPhone junky because you know what kind of freaking cell phone they have. They don’t call you.  They “call you on their iPhone.”  They don’t lose their phone or their cell.  They lose their iPhone – except they don’t, of course, because iPhone users are rarely far enough away from their iPhones to lose it.

Shopping for an iPhone junky can be difficult, because they already have the whole world in the palm of their hand.  Just ask them.  But, there is something that iPhone users love even more than their iPhones: stuff to go with their iPhone.

5 Holiday Gift Ideas For People With iPhones

iHome clock Radio for iPhone

1. iHome Docking Station and Clock Radio

I did a review of the iHome Docking Station and Clock Radio back in September.  I still love it.  I’ve since run into several readers of this site who have added it to their own wish lists because a good speaker system and iPhone compatible alarm clock is hard to come by.

The problem with most “iPhone docking stations” like this is that they are  made for iPods, not iPhones, and so you have to put your phone in airplane mode to use it, or endure the annoying buzz of interference.  This system is compatible with every single iPhone, way back to the first generation (what I had until about 24 hours ag).

The iHome docking station lets you play music over the speakers with impressive sound quality.  It also lets you wake to and fall asleep to specific playlists.  On top of that, it’s a great alarm clock that allows you to set two separate alarms and designated an alarm for a 1, 5 or 7 day schedule (no more accidentally waking up early on Saturday or forgetting to reset the alarm for Monday morning!).

The iHome iP9BR Clock Radio for iPod is $81.88 right now on Amazon. ($79 if you get it in silver.)  Buy it here.

2.  Mophie Juice Pack Case – Rechargeable iPhone battery

Juice Pack rechargeable battery case

This is something I don’t have and want desperately.

The biggest downfall of the iPhone is that the battery isn’t removeable, so heavy users can’t buy extra batteries to keep charged.  The Juice Pack addresses that problem by giving you a fully rechargeable battery that doubles as an iPhone case.

Like I said, I don’t have this and have never used it.  But reviews online as well as reviews from people I know who have this product say that it doubles the battery life of your iPhone.

You can charge the case and the iPhone simultaneously and switch the case’s power source on and off to decide if you want to save your extra battery life for later.

The juice pack will add a little bulk to the iPhone – more than a simple silicone case – but the extra power you get is worth it for someone who uses their phone constantly.

Amazon offers a variety of colors for the juice pack that will fit the iPhone first generation, 3G and 3Gs.  Click here to see the full range.

wireless head set for iPhone

3.  Bluetooth Stereo Headset

Another “don’t have, want badly” product for me. I’ve been looking forever for a headset that works for music and phone conversations, and isn’t plagued with reviews about a short product lifespan.

This looks to be the answer I’ve been looking for.

The Sony DRBT160AS Bluetooth Stereo Headset is perfect for iPhone users who like to run or workout regularly.  This headset gives you the ability to listen to music and take a call (although obviously not at the same time).  Headsets that do both can be difficult to find for the iPhone.

The “behind the head” design is ideal runners and the wireless aspect makes it perfect for just about anyone.  It’s also going to provide much higher sound quality than the stock ear buds that come standard with iPhones.

The Sony DRBT160AS Bluetooth Stereo Headset is $81.95 on Amazon. That’s more than $40 off what they’re charging at the Apple store for the same product. Buy it here.

4. iPhone Armband

armband case for iPhone

Speaking of people who run – an armband case is pretty much a necessity if you’re the type of person who works out while listening to music on your iPhone.  Otherwise you end up trying to shove your iPhone down the back of your pants.

Trust me on this – not. comfortable.  Also not comfortable?  Having to dig down the back of your pants to retrieve your slipping iPhone while you’re in the middle of a packed gym.

Ahem.

ANYway, the Tuneband from Grantwood Technology uses a silicone case to secure the iPhone in place.  The case has a screen protector, but still allows you to access all of the ports and camera.  The band itself is stretchy velcro to fit most arm sizes.

Another fun fact: it comes in lots of pretty colors!  (Oh, and navy or clear if, for some odd reason, you’re not into pretty.)

The Tuneband is designed for the 3G and 3GS iPhone models.

(Hint – it’s cheap and a great stocking stuffer idea.  Jared.)

The Tuneband Armband with Silicone Skin and Screen Protector is just $16.99 at Amazon. Buy it here. (in pink, if you’re my husband.)

5.  Go Groove FlexPod: iPhone FM Transmitter and Car Mount System

FM Transmitter Docking System

This?  Is a freaking awesome device.

You plug the device into your car’s cigarette lighter (or power source if you have a newer, snobbier car) and put your iPhone into the cradle.  Your phone is now charging.  Yay.

BUT, more than that, the FM transmitter lets you play your music from your iPod through your car stereo’s speakers.  For those of you unfamiliar with the idea of an FM transmitter – it works good.  You should have it.

For those of you who know what I’m talking about – this is one of the more advanced models of FM transmitters and seems to have a strong locking system that makes it easier to find (and keep) stations available to play your music.

Added bonus: it turns your car into a bluetooth device for phone calls.  When a phone call comes in while you’re listening to music, the music fades and the call options come up on the screen.  Accept the call and you’ll hear the voice via your car’s speakers.  End the call and you go back to the music you were listening to.

The Flexpod (that’s the official name of this thingie) also has a USB port so you can charge other USB powered devices through it.

The entire iPhone cradle is held up on a flexible gooseneck device so you can hold your iPhone steady at multiple angles.

You can watch a video on how the entire thing works here.

The Go Groove FlexPod Car Mount System is $34.99 on Amazon. Buy it here.

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Post tags: alarm clock, amazon, bluetooth headset, cell phone, docking stations, holiday gift ideas, holiday gifts, ihome, iphone, iphone accessories, iphone armband, iphone case, iphone fm transmitter, iphone gifts, ipod, stocking stuffer

How can you be good at traveling?

Watch someone who travels for business pack.  They never forget anything, they know what’s essential and what’s dead weight, and they’ve discovered all kinds of tips and tricks for making life out of a suitcase easier.

Whether you’re planning your first vacation in years, or cashing in your frequent flyer miles again, here’s a few things you can’t leave home without.

10 Things To Buy A Woman Who Travels

1. Hanging Toiletry Bag

Baggallini Hanging Cosmetic Bag

Never forget your toothbrush or your mascara – either at home or at a hotel.  These bags keep everything organized and visible.  The bathrooms in guest rooms and hotels are notoriously short on counter space.  Hang this on the towel bar or the back of a door and have easy access to everything you need.

I love this Baggallini version because the bottom compartment detaches.  Take this to the gym and store your shower products in the detachable compartment.

2. Travel Bottles

Eagle Creek Custom Travel Bottle Set

Hotel shampoo sucks.  It might be good enough for a man with a buzz cut, but it’s notoriously awful for a woman’s hair.  Of course, thanks to the joy that is the TSA, you can’t just throw your own bottle of shampoo in your carry on.

Pack your own shampoo, conditioner, facial cleanser and moisturizer in these clear, 3 oz. bottles and save packing space and a cavity search in security.

3.  Jewelry Storage

eBags Bazaar Jewelry Case

I hate packing and trying to figure out what one necklace, bracelet and earrings will go with everything I plan to wear during my vacation.  But I also hate pulling a tangled mess of what used to be nice jewelry out of the bottom of a cosmetic bag.

Now I can accessorize while I’m traveling and have the organization of my jewelry box.  This version offers tons of storage and packs flat.

4.  Awesome Travel Pillow

TravelRest – The Ultimate Inflatable Travel Pillow

Hat tip to Robin for pointing this one out.  She’s a freaking genius and my neck thanks her a thousand times over.

Remember when you used to be able to get a pillow and a blanket on a plane?  Of course, you used to be able to get a damn meal on a cross country flight, too.  Lucky for us, this pillow works in a plane or in a car.

5. Waterless Hand Sanitizer

Bath and Body Works Waterless Hand Foam

Traveling is dirty.  And germy.  And it’s usually the places farthest from a water source that leave you feeling the grimiest.  This 1.7 oz. bottle fits in your post and passes the TSA test.

6.  Travel Umbrella

Travel Samsonite Flat Pack Umbrella

If you have luck like mine, it will rain when you’re on vacation.  But it won’t be raining when you get up.  Oh, no.  A torrential downpour will be unleashed when you’re miles away from your hotel after you’ve spent hours getting ready for a night out on the town or something.

I carry a mini umbrella with me everywhere in my purse.  This mini version is even flat for packing purposes.  Genius.

7. iPod touch (or iPhone. Ahem.)

Apple iPod touch 16 GB (2nd Generation)

I’ll be honest, I don’t know how people survive in this day and age without an iPhone or some kind of smart phone.  I mean, I hear it’s possible – but I also hear some people still have dial up.

If you’re not in the market for a new cell phone, you should definitely consider an iPod touch – especially if you travel frequently.  There are a ton of iPhone apps that make traveling easier.  I can’t imagine traveling without access to the internet – maps, weather, phone books, subway routes.  I can do absolutely everything from anywhere.

8. Unique Luggage ID Tag

Luggage Tag – Neon Pink Plastic Set of 2 by Travelon

I hate the luggage carousel.  Hate.  I hate shoving my way past the morons who insist on standing 6 inches from the carousel just to get my damn bag.  And I hate even more having shoved my way to my bag – only to realize it is not my bag, but someone else’s bag.

I started tying a colored scarf to the handle of my suitcase a few years ago so I could recognize my suitcase more easily.  These luggage tags do double duty of making your black suitcase stand out in the sea of black suitcases and providing contact information just in case your bag gets lost.

9.  A good sleep mask

Pb first class sleep mask

Sleeping in a strange place can be difficult.  One of the things I’ve found that helps me get a good night’s sleep is a sleep mask.  It’s especially useful if you’re on a weird schedule or in a new time zone – or staying in a guest room that lets in bright ass sun at 6 am.  Like at my house.

10.  Portable sound machine

Marsona Travel Sound Conditioner

Speaking of a good night’s sleep – do you sleep with the fan on at home?  Or use a noise machine for white noise?  If you’re used to background noise when you sleep, a strange hotel room can make it difficult to sleep.

The Marsona is extremely portable and small enough to pack in an overnight bag or carry on.

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Post tags: bags, gifts for travel, iphone, organization, portable, travel, travel accessories

While blogging and the blogosphere haven’t gone completely mainstream yet (we all still have friends who “don’t get it” and use air quotes when talking about “the Internet”), our cool factor has definitely gone up in the last few years.

Here’s a few products to help you embrace our geek chic.

I’m Kind Of A Big Deal On The Internet – Basic by miss_britt

This is kind of my catch phrase.  Meaning, when I get drunk with my bloggy friends I like to tell cab drivers and random strangers “HEY! Do you know who we are? WE’RE KIND OF A BIG DEAL ON THE INTERNET!”

It’s funny if you get satire and irony.

I’m Kind Of A Big Deal On The Internet Onesie by miss_britt
Buy t-shirts at zazzle

Because if we’re going to exploit our children on the Internet just so we can get validation from strangers, they should at least get a cute shirt.

The Internet Says… You’re Doing It Wrong! by miss_britt

Because if you’re going to exploit your children on the Internet just so that you can get validation from strangers, someone is going to take time out of their day to tell you how much you suck. YAY, Internet!

The Internet Loves You Mousepad by miss_britt

You know what? Fuck the haters. And your neighbors. And your boss. The Internet loves you, baby.

i heart hot bloggers (black) by miss_britt

Because you do, right?

I’m totally BLOGGING this by avitable

Promote your blog and warn your friends and family. Do not wear to your in-law’s house.

I’m totally TWEETING this by avitable

For the next level of geek and Internet obsessed. Of course, everyone already knows you’re tweeting this, because you’ve been tap, tap, tapping on your iPhone for the last 15 minutes.

lol, internets by pofffy
Buy t-shirts at zazzle

He he he. Internets. Plural.

2 Girls 1 Cup by classictshirts

Sure, you’re scarred for life and there’s no way you’re ever eating soft serve ice cream again. But technically – you’re not dead.

iPad by dgdzines

Of course, this is only for that very exclusive club of iPeople.

iShirt (Black w/ White Text) by WesleyElm

iAwesome.

My blog is a D cup by TinaCanteena

And my other car is a Hummer.

“Avatar” by zazzler55811

In my defense, that was naturally occurring pixelating- not Photoshop.

iBlog Bumper Sticker by geekstylez

Won’t this look great next to your “Countdown to the End of A Error” and “ObamaNation” bumper stickers?!

I don’t have friends.I have followers. by vbtidmore

Like, Jesus.

I’m with n00b by potterhead4

For the next time you drag your spouse to an internet “meet up”.

Oh, Interenets, you make me chuckle.

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Post tags: bloggers, geek gifts, internet, iphone, t-shirts, tech gifts

I’ve been obsessed with one of the free apps in that review ever since.

Specifically, Take Me To My Car.

Take me to my car - parking app for iPhone

This is one of the free parking apps for the iPhone. It’s basically designed to help you remember where you parked your car.

That’s it. Pretty simple concept, right?

Sure. But what else can you use it to do?

I tend to go on vacations that involve a lot of working. I prefer to visit cities where you don’t have to drive around for the duration of your trip, but can rely on walking and public transportation.

So I don’t need to know where my car is parked, right?

I do, however, need reminders for how in the hell to get back to my hotel. It’d be nice not to have to tell a random stranger in a big city “I’m staying at this hotel, care to give me directions and potentially follow me so that you can maul me and leave me in a dumpster?” I’d prefer something a little more… self reliant.

This app lets me drop a flag at my hotel and then wander around aimlessly for as long as I want. Once I decide it’s time to head back, I just open the app back up and have it calculate the route back “home” from my current location.

Another great use is to set up rendezvous points.

No, not those kind of rendezvous.

But do you ever find that half of your party wants to go one way and the other half a completely different way? This app lets me drop a flag in the Meet Back Here In One Hour location – and then wander off.

The app will even tell me roughly how far I am, so I have a general idea if I need to move my ass back or have time to linger for a while longer.

I just downloaded the parking app to my iPhone, so I’m looking forward to finding out more about how it works and other things I can do with it. You can download it yourself for free from the iTunes store here.

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Post tags: car parking, family travel, free apps, iphone, iphone apps, vacations