iPhone 3G accessories: don't fry your new phone

by Adam Turner on Jul 14, 2008

Tags: iPhone | iPod

Don't make the mistake of thinking all iPod accessories are compatible with iPhones, or you could end up frying your new toy.

The iPhone only likes 5 volts, whereas some iPod accessories use the firewire pins on the 30 pin dock connector to run 12 volts and there are reports of damaged batteries and toasted logic boards. Take care using docks, chargers and speaker systems that aren't specifically labelled as iPhone-compatible.

Apple's iPhone 3G Dock, sold separately for $35

The iPhone 3G's slightly different shape means it won't fit in the dock supplied with the original iPhone. The iPhone 3G doesn't come with a dock in the box, Apple sells them separately for $35 and they feature an audio line out for connecting to powered speakers.

In the US Apple also sells a Dual Dock for the iPhone, which charges the optional Apple Bluetooth headset as well, but there's no sign of such a dock for the iPhone 3G yet.

The iPhone 3G's mediocre battery life means you'll need to charge it every day or two, so Seidio's Retractable Sync & Charge Cable might be a handy addition to your travel bag.

We're still waiting for the full range of third-party iPhone 3G accessories to hit the market, but there are plenty of options for the first-gen iPhone which will probably be upgraded for the new iPhone 3G.

Those after a long battery life should look at external battery sleeves such as the mStation mophie juice station or the Fastmac iV, which also includes a camera flash. If you're after a stand-alone external battery, look at the Macally External Li-ion Battery For Apple iPhone/iPod or the Griffin TuneJuice 2 Back-up Battery for iPhone, iPod touch (which takes 4 AAA batteries).

The Contour iSee - a clear case for your iPhone 3G

Your choice of carry case will be influenced by how you want to carry the iPhone 3G, how you use it and how rough you are on your tech. Do you want a horizontal or vertical holster with a belt clip, or do you want a case that stays wrapped around the phone? Do you want the screen exposed, covered by a thin film (through which you can use the touch screen) or covered by something more sturdy? Some stylish leather cases open sideways like a book, others flip up like a notepad, or fold down. Make sure the belt clip has a curve in the bottom which catches on your belt if the case accidentally slides upwards.

Once again, there are plenty of iPhone cases on the market but, because of the iPhone 3G's change in shape, few will fit and we'll have to wait for new models.

Handbag style - the Incase Leather & Nylon Folio

The original iPhone's awkward shape and chrome finish make it a slippery sucker, so consider a wrap-around case with grips - perhaps with a built-in protective film for the screen. Many cases allow access to the 30-pin port for connecting the cable, but most will prevent you from putting the iPhone in Apple's charging cradle unless they leave the bottom 10mm of the phone completely exposed. Even if you prefer a naked iPhone, consider a thin film of plastic to protect the screen against scratches.

When looking at cases, consider the likes of Belkin, Griffin, Krusell, Incase, Vaja, iSkin and Otterbox. The iSkin Revo and Otterbox Defender offer a good balance between protection and usability. They feature a wrap-around, non-slip shell with a thin film protecting the screen, but also come with holsters (the Revo's is an optional extra). If you're the athletic type, take a look at the Belkin F8Z170-KG Sports Armband for iPhone. The Contour iSee offers a see-three look.

Altec Lansing T612 for the 1st-Gen iPhone: lookout for 3G models of speakers like these

If you're after a speaker dock for around the house, consider the offerings from Altec Lansing, Logic3, JBL, Newer Technology, mStation and DLO. Again the iPhone 3G's new shape creates problems, but there are plenty of first-gen offerings. The Altec Lansing T612 is wall- mountable and also shielded to protect against interference from the phone. Apple also sells a Component AV Cable (Y'Pb'Pr') for connecting your iPhone to your television.

The cuff around the original iPhone's 3.5mm headphone jack means most third-party headphones won't fit, but you can pick up a cheap adaptor to get around this. The Monster iSoniTalk is an iPhone headphones adaptor with a built-in mic, letting you make phone calls using third- party headphones. Thankfully the headphone jack on the iPhone 3G isn't recessed, so you can use any headphones.