We’ve seen some crazy accessories for Apple devices over the past year. Some of them have been so inventive that we’ve marveled at their originality and design, whereas others are so simple and functional that we’re knocking our heads wishing we had thought of something so elegant. Over the past year we’ve tried to cover the most important new accessories for Apple devices, and we’ve narrowed down the favorites to a list of 10 accessories that we think are the best of the best.
Now it’s your turn to tell us if you think we’re right, and let us know which is your favorite Apple accessory of 2011. Take a quick glance at the 10 items below and then vote in our poll to let us know which you think is the true winner.
Smart Cover
The Smart Cover is more than just a case for your iPad. Having designed alongside the iPad 2, Apple claims the iPad 2 is the perfect match for the iPad, and from our poll you resoundingly agree. Over 33% of our readers voted for the Smart Cover as their favorite Apple accessory. Never before has a case been so thoughtfully designed to compliment the device it’s protecting.
Parrot AR. Drone
Who wouldn’t want their own little spy drone? This is the age of the PATRIOT Act after all. Parrot’s AR Drone has demolishes the competition by not only providing a cool flying machine, but it packs a camera that’s viewable from your iPad or iPhone, and they company has developed quite a few games and mods for the device ensuring their users won’t run out of ideas on what to do with their remote control drone.
Mophie Juice Pack Air
A device as beautifully designed as the iPhone 4/4S should probably never be hidden behind a protective case, but if you absolutely need extra power for your iPhone 4, the best battery-pack case you can get is the Mophie Juice Pack Air. The case protects your iPhone while also providing enough battery power to listen to music for an extra 36 hours.
Air Zepplin by B&W
Got an extra $600 in your pocket searching for a new bank account? The Zeppelin Air wouldn’t be a bad choice to spend some extra money. Sure it’s price tag is quite a bit higher than we’d normally like, but it’s absolutely gorgeous. Bowers & Wilkins have been making hoteworthy electornics for years and the Zeppelin Air is no exception. Beside sport a unique design and incredible audio experience, the speaker system connects to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac via AirPlay so that you can now listen to the strings of YoYo Ma, or Juvenile while feeling incredibly classy.
BookBook Case
We’re pretty big fans of the BookBook case case, whether it’s the version for MacBook Air, Pro, or iPad. As Cult of Mac’s John Brownlee once wrote, “What the BookBook Case does is make a connection with people who have a good sense of humor about things, and intuitively realize that there’s something silly about decking out a laptop like the MacBook Air to look like a prop from Gandalf the Grey’s library. Sure, the BookBook Case is cool looking, but it’s also funny. It’s an irony against pseudo-intellectuals and literary posers. It’s a joke,” that we love.
JamBox
It’s the smallest wireless speaker on the planet with the best sound. Despite it’s minuscule size, the JamBox has an output capacity of 85 decibels so that your music can be heard wherever you go. Jawbone developed the MyTALK platform for it so that you can download apps, software upgrades and new features to the JamBox making sure the speakers won’t be obsolete after a year. Plus, it’s got a pretty cool design that looks great anywhere you take it.
PlugBug
Seriously, what took so long for someone to come up this simple solution? The PlugBug is a totally unique, all-in-one, dual charger for MacBook + iPad or iPhone. Freeing up an extra electrical socket, the PlugBug provides enough juice to charge two of your Apple gadgets while decluttering your space. It’s a great solution for those of us that get tired of carrying around two power adapters and hate looking at the mangled mess of cables near the electrical socket.
Olloclip
We saw tons of camera accessories for the iPhone 4/4S this year, but the the Olloclip was probably the most practical and versatile of the bunch. The Olloclip is a quick-connect lens solution for the iPhone that includes fisheye,wide-angle and macro lenses in one small, convenient package that easily fits in your pocket. Nestled in the palm of your hand, the olloclip connects to the iPhone within seconds so you’ll be sure to capture the image you want…if you don’t see the picture you’re looking for just flip it over to switch lenses.
Keyboard Case by ZAGG
To be honest, turning your iPad into a wanna-be laptop just feels a bit wrong and defies what makes the iPad such a personal experience…but if you’re hell bent on getting a full-sized keyboard for your iPad your best bet is to go with the Keyboard Case by ZAGG. The keyboard almost feels like something you’d find on a MacBook, plus when you’re not using your iPad the case’s aircraft-grade aluminum provides sturdy protection so that you don’t have to worry if you accidentally drop your precious tablet.
Glif iPhone Stand
Glif is an iPhone 4/4S accessory with two primary functions: mounting your iPhone onto a tripod and propping up your iPhone at various angles. It’s small and simple enough that you can carry it around with you when you’re not using it, but the simple design has countless uses. Mount your iPhone to a tripod for taking great pictures. Prop your iPhone for hands-free FaceTiming or to watch videos.
Get Voting!
Those are the Cult of Mac Top Accessories of 2011, but now it’s your chance to be heard. Cast your vote for your favorite accessory below and we’ll announce the winner, as chosen by Cult of Mac readers next week!
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