It doesn’t take rocket science for anyone to appreciate that the recently concluded years have opened up a brand-new era – the invasion of the smart phones. Okay, so it’s probably a head-to-head battle between that and the zombie apocalypse. But smart phones aren’t called “smart” for nothing. And it will possibly take a while before the zombies realize they’ve been outsmarted.
Kidding aside, since 2009, smart phone sales have been creeping up substantially. 2012 may have seen a decline in overall mobile phone sales, as reported by Gartner, but smart phone sales are still on the rise. Korea’s Samsung and U.S.’ Apple are still, as expected, leading the pack when it comes to the most number of smart phone units sold worldwide.
And if Gartner’s data is any indication, China’s Huawei just might displace Finland’s Nokia from third place for good, the way it did in the fourth quarter of last year for the first time.
Must-have mobile phone accessories
Depending on whom you’re asking and what activities the people you ask normally do, different people are likely to give you different answers for the same question: Which mobile phone accessories do they consider essential?
Still, it is normal to expect some overlapping answers, three of which are the following:
- Phone charger and an extra battery
If you expect to be out for a while, come on, bring your phone charger and an extra battery, if you’ve got any. It’s not particularly gratifying to find yourself in the middle of nowhere with a phone that’s deader than a stone and your car keys in the ignition of your locked car.
- Protective skins and cases
Like anything that’s being used on a regular basis – and that’s probably a pair of Chuck Taylors for the trendy teen – mobile phones are likely to get scratched, chipped, or worse, damaged. Aside from the steep cost of procuring a smart phone nowadays, picture files and other data may no longer be retrievable if you find yourself badly damaging your phone. It is, therefore, a wise decision to invest in protective skins and cases. These come in different colors, designs and styles. A lot of them are even tailored for your phone’s brand and make.
- Hands-free device
When you’re in a hurry, you need all the hands you can get. But if you’re all alone, chances are you only got two. If you need to talk on the phone, you’re left with just one to arrange the contents of your briefcase. I mean, you get the picture, right? Headsets, Bluetooth devices and car mounts should allow for hands-free phone usage.
Phone accessories you think you don’t need but probably do
“People don’t know what they want until you show it to them.” – Steve Jobs
Do I need to say more? Steve Jobs already said it all, right?
- Mobile repeater
When you’re stuck in the basement of a building trying to figure out where in Merlin’s beard you parked your car, the probability of losing phone signal greatly increases because of the building’s shielding effect. And if it’s your bank officer asking questions about a very important loan you’re trying to secure, there’s a chance he’d think you’re not that interested if the call drops in the middle of the conversation.
Consider getting yourself a mobile repeater for situations such as those.
- Wireless earpiece
If you’re in the mood to go 007 (“My name is Bond. James Bond.”) on somebody you think is up to no good, a wireless earpiece just might do the trick. The earpiece is inserted into the, well, ear and connected to your phone via a Bluetooth transmitter. You got to have a partner to make this work though, as this entails making or receiving a call.
Just be sure you’re not sticking your nose where it shouldn’t be. Meddling in affairs that are none of your business can get you into heaps of trouble.
