Gift Ideas if You Already Have Android, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry

Dec. 17, 2011 — -- Stumped about what to give someone who's hooked on a smartphone or tablet computer? Think accessories. Accessories can offer added functionality, protection and sometimes fashion to mobile devices. And choices abound beyond Bluetooth headsets for hands-free calling.

Makers rolled out hundreds of accessories this year, some designed for a specific model, such as a fitted case for an Android phone or an Apple iPad tablet, while others can be used with any number of products.

Options for the gift-giving season:

Protection and personalization

Skins: GelaSkins ($14.95 to $29.95; gelaskins.com) are high-quality covers that affix to a digital device to give it flair. There are hundreds of different designs and free matching wallpaper to download and display behind the phone's icons. A percentage of each sale goes to the artist. You can upload your own design to create a custom, one-of-a-kind skin. Skins can be removed and reapplied. How-to videos are available on the website.

Cases: If you like to take your smartphone with you everywhere — even to the beach, camping or boating — the Grace Digital Audio Eco Pod ($49.99; gracedigital.com) is a rugged "all-terrain" case for Android, BlackBerry and iPhone that is certified to keep water out (at 3 feet for 30 minutes). Included waterproof earbuds plug into the case's waterproof jack.

Fun and games

iCade: iPad owners who are nostalgic about classic video games will fall for the charm of Ion Audio's iCade ($99.99; ionaudio.com), a miniature arcade cabinet with retro red-topped joystick and eight buttons. Download the Atari Classics app (featuring Centipede, Pong, Asteroids and others), sync to the iCade via Bluetooth and insert the iPad or iPad 2 to get your game on, circa 1981. No quarters required.

Parrot: Android and iPhone owners can download a free app and control the Parrot AR.Drone ($299.95; parrot.com), a flying "quadricopter" designed for indoor and outdoor use. Not only can you fly this remote-controlled toy using your preferred touch-screen device, but there are a variety of game types, support for multiplayer matches and even a front-view camera with a live video feed that can be seen onscreen.

AppBlaster: Ideal for iPhone owners with a penchant for action games, Spin Master's Appfinity AppBlaster ($19.99; spinmaster.com) lets you dock an iPhone or iPod Touch into a toy gun and use dual triggers, which then press on the screen to fire, to take down various enemies. The accessory works with seven apps — including Alien Attack, which uses augmented-reality technology to superimpose flying extraterrestrials onto your real-world environment.

iGuy: How do you make the iPad even more fun for young kids? The iGuy from Speck ($39.95; speckproducts.com) is a foam case for iPad and iPad 2 that can stand on its own two feet, literally. Available in blue, lime or orange, the iGuy adds some personality to a tot's favorite tablet. While not advertised as such, the iGuy also fits some Android tablets, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Music and movies

Hard drive: Ideal for virtually all platforms — Apple's iOS, Android, BlackBerry and Windows devices — the Seagate GoFlex Satellite ($199.99; seagate.com) is a portable wireless hard drive that can stream up to three different movies to three different devices at the same time. You'll first connect this 500-gigabyte drive to your computer and load it up with media — such as video, photos, music and documents — then take it to go. It creates its own personal hotspot for other devices to join via the Web browser, and you'll see the list of files to access.

Headphones: Starting at $39.99, the House of Marley collection (thehouseofmarley.com) of branded earbuds and headphones sounds great, looks cool and a portion of proceeds goes to the 1Love organization. Two standout over-the-ear pairs include the Exodus Harvest ($129.99), which features a birch wood band, leather ear cups and smartphone controls on the long, tangle-free, fabric cord, and the studio-quality Destiny TTR ($349.99) noise-canceling headphones, which should "satisfy your soul," as the late Bob Marley sang.

Video eyewear: The Vuzix Wrap 1200 ($499.99; vuzix.com) is a pair of sunglasses-style eyewear that, plugged into your digital device, simulates a 75-inch television as seen from 10 feet away. The glasses also support 3-D content and widescreen video (16:9 aspect ratio) and include onscreen controls and noise-isolating earphones. An iOS plug, component and composite adapters are in the box, but an HDMI adapter will launch at next month's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Docks: Speaker docks for smartphone or tablet lovers are becoming wireless, allowing you to use your device at the same time you stream music. IPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users might prefer a high-quality AirPlay-enabled speaker, which lets you play your music wirelessly over a Wi-Fi network. Examples include the iHome iW1 ($299.99; ihomeaudio.com), B&W Zeppelin Air ($599.99; bowers-wilkins.com) and the Klipsch G-17 Air Wireless Sound System ($549.99; klipsch.com). Those in the market for a Bluetooth-enabled product, for non-iOS devices, might consider the Creative ZiiSound D5x Wireless Bluetooth Speaker ($299.99; creative.com).

Power and productivity

Charging: Protect your favorite smartphone and give it a power boost at the same time with the aptly named PowerSkin line of products. Ranging in price from $49.99 to $79.99, these one-piece, non-slip grip cases are made from impact-resistant silicone rubber. The battery can double the phone's life between charges (though it varies slightly between models). These cases also include a small micro USB recharge port and cable to connect to a computer or AC outlet, and an LED status light that shows you how much power remains. A list of all supported models is at power-skin.com.

Keyboards: Great for students and business travelers alike, the Verbatim Wireless Mobile Keyboard ($79.99) is ideal for long-form typing on virtually any Bluetooth-enabled touch-screen smartphone or tablet. When you're on the go, this full-size qwerty keyboard folds in half and slips into a matching black case. But when you want to take notes, write a long e-mail or type an essay or sales report, simply open it up, turn it on and prop up your device with an optional stand, if desired. A much lighter solution than lugging a laptop, this black or white wireless keyboard works up to nine hours between charges and includes handy media keys to easily play, pause and navigate through all your music.