This article was submitted on 12/10/07 to be published in the 12/21/07 issue (for Frank Sisco's "iPhone Tapper" column not Frank Sisco's "Life and Money"column) in the 9 papers of the Rising Publications in Westchester County, NY including The Westchester Crusader, The Rye Chronicle, The Eastchester Record, The Pelham Sun, The Sound View News, Home News & Times, The Mt. Vernon Independent, Harrison Independent, and North Castle News.

Written by:

Frank Sisco, 30 Mill Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804

Home office - 914.740.4422, Cell - 914.740.4422; Email – ideasmoney@aol.com

www.iphonetapper.com

Copyright 2007 Frank Sisco

"iPhone Tapper - "iPhone Accessorizing"

By Frank Sisco, CPA, PFS

(Word count = 956 words (including 6 words for AcrossTheMedia references) plus 59 words for About the Author)

Carefully consider accessories because they can significantly enhance the use of products. Yet, use moderation and avoid overly complicating your life.  

For the iPhone, there are many different types of cases in which to insert the iPhone, in order to protect the iPhone or to beautify it.   I'm very happy with the leather and spandex dark gray case (Incase Sport Case with armband - $34.95) that I bought and used since the first day. I also bought a transparent film (Power Support Crystal Film - $14.95) for the iPhone's front.   I was fearful of dropping my iPhone and damaging it, so the protective case serves to allay my fears.   (Incidentally, the other day my iPhone fell out of the case onto the kitchen floor because I forgot to secure the velcro attachment and thankfully no damage occurred.).   I then found another use for the case by adapting it.    On the long clip on the back of the case, I attached an expandable band from a wristwatch so that I can wear the combo on my left forearm and do my emails and phone calls while stopped at lights or stuck in traffic.   (See ATM1 for essay called "Driving with my iPhone").   Additionally, I can wear the iPhone on my left arm (with earphones plugged into it and wrapped around it for easy access when I want to listen to phone calls, music, etc.), which not only enhanced the product's utility for me, but also decreased my chances of leaving it somewhere, as I've done with other cell phones, and with my keys every other day.   The expandability of the band makes it very easy to take my iPhone off my arm when I need to.    I preferred mine to other cases that were made of hard plastic (more protective if dropped) or rubber (easy to put the iPhone in and out of it; available in many colors) and my "iPhone Forearm" idea may not have been as effective with them.   My daughter Kelly prefers to use the iPhone without a case, partly because she loves the bare feel of the iPhone and because she felt the colorful rubber ones she liked at $30 were too expensive.  

I'm at a decision juncture for Bluetooth.   On one hand, I'm drawn to the possible convenience of having the iPhone always available to me without the need to hold it.   Although I've nearly handled that ambition via my "iPhone Forearm device," I still need to put my earphones in and out of my ears.   But, when I look at other people with devices always attached to their ears like Bluetooth, I don't see myself that way.   "Somewhat unattractive"   I murmur to myself

There are internal accessories for the iPhone.   With iTunes, you can download songs for $.99 (even at some Starbucks stores).   Although it is not a visible accessory such as a hat or gold chain, it is an audible accessory.   My daughter Kelly prefers ringtones (e.g. Rob Thomas's new song "How Far We've Come.") instead of the built-in sounds.   I like the Piano Riff or Marimba just fine.   Also, many developers are designing special applications (software programs) for the iPhone.   (See ATM 1 for my essay on "Fun with iPhone WebApps.").

An important aspect of the iPhone is the ability to store, play and easily select music.   The portability of the iPhone makes it easy to bring more music into your life.   (See ATM 1 for essay on "Music, Music, Music.).   When you want to sit back into your favorite chair and listen to your favorite songs from speakers through the air, or bring the music with you to a place to play it aloud for several people to hear (including your car), then there are two groups of accessories to get.   I plan to use these portable items at seminars, parties, events, etc.   (1)   Speakers with a universal dock, together or separate.   Recently at the Apple Store in White Plains, NY, I purchased 2 Bose speakers (Companion 2 - Series II) for only $100 and a separate Apple Universal Dock for $49.   I can just insert my iPhone into the dock that is connected to the speakers and hear sound with extraordinary quality.   Extremely satisfied. (2) The Belkin headphone adapter for iPhone ($9.95) is inserted in the opening at the top of the iPhone and then allows other cables to be inserted and transmit sound to devices.   For example, you can run a male-to-male cable from your iPhone to the audio jack on your computer or on other speakers and play music and hear sounds. (dock not needed).   My Hyundai Elantra lacks a CD player.   Using the adapter and the male-to-male cable, I connect the iPhone to the transmitter attachment (made by DLO ) that plugs into the cigarette lighter hole (with radio tuned to 100.5 FM) and I can hear my iPhone through my car's speakers.   Or I play CDs on my portable Sony CD player and connect the CD player using the male-to-male cable to my iPhone and then use my iPhone earphones.  

And don't forget theaw: (1)   car adapter (Xtrememac Incharge charger - $19.95) so that during a car trip you can charge your iPhone battery (2)   a second set of iPhone earphones ($29) to keep in the car so you are never without them and a Y adapter so you can plug in two sets of earphones for sharing music with one other person (3) a guidebook called ("The Missing Manual by David Pogue - $19.95) is essential.   See ATM 2 for the New York Times detailed article from their 7/12/07 Circuits section.   Additionally, I'll provide updated accessory information on   www.iPhoneTapper.com.

About the author:

Frank Sisco is a businessman who loves finding ways to enhance life through personal technology, and writing about it.    You can contact Frank by email at ideasmoney@aol.com or by phone at 914.589.1013 in order to express your opinion or send in questions, comments, or videoclips.   He resides in New Rochelle, NY with his wife and daughter.