Like Chris Oldroyd, my most used iPhone and iPad accessories consists of a very short list. There are only have a few that I regularly used during the past year. Most of what I used was for device protection and power supply, with the exception of one accessory that enhanced my iPad experience for specific scenarios.
Smart Cover for iPad 2
I'm a minimalist at heart, and the Smart Cover is such a fantastic case, if you can even call it that, for those who want their iPad 2 as naked as possible. I won't bore you with facts about the Smart Cover you already know, but would like to point out that if you want a little more protection, there are many other cases, like the Incipio Smart feather Ultralight Hard Shell Case that make a great companion with the Smart Cover.
- $39.99 to $69.99 - Amazon link
OtterBox Reflex Series for iPhone and iPad
Unfortunately, being the mother of a toddler means it's time to put my minimalist desires aside and settle for protective cases for my iPhone and iPad. I came to this realization after my daughter ripped off my Smart Cover and pushed my iPad face down across the hardwood floor resulting in a massive scratch. I immediately turned to OtterBox due to their reputation for designing high quality protective cases.
Again, I like to have as little bulk as possible, so I opted out of the Defender Series, and picked up the Reflex Series for both my iPhone and iPad. This series is designed after the crumble zone of car. In addition to not being too bulky, this case easily slides on and off which was extremely appealing to me. I often times take off my case to take photos for iMore and it was important to me to have a case that wouldn't be a 20 minute adventure to take on and off.
- $29.95 - iMore iPhone Accessory Store link
- $44.95 - iMore iPad Accessory Store link
Bamboo Stylus
As a math teacher, I find myself writing notes to email to my students all the time. Using my finger was not an option in my book, so I went on the search for the perfect stylus and settled on the Bamboo. My favorite thing about this stylus is how it actually has some weight to it making it feel more like a real pen.
In addition to writing out solutions to math problems, I also use the Bamboo to have my photography clients sign contracts - each and every one of them have been impressed.
- $29.99 - Amazon link
Qmadix USB Mobile Charging Kit
It's no secret that one can deplete their iPhone's battery in matter of hours, so I make sure I have power with me everywhere I go, including the car. Plugging my iPhone into the Qmadix USB Mobile Charging Kit is something that has become as automatic as putting on my seatbelt and starting the car.
I've had cars with lighters in strange, tight places, but the design of Qmadix USB Mobile Charging Kit has always worked great because the usb cable plugs into the top of the charger instead of at the end. The other feature I like about the Qmadix USB Mobile Charging Kit is that the USB cable is not permanently attached to the charger. This allows me to use any cable I wish, or steal this one from the car if I run into a situation where I need to.
- $19.95 - iMore Accessory Store link
