Image via Complex Original
Intro
Face it: despite being anti-Apple, you've become addicted to your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch since you broke down and bought one in a gadget binge weekend. If you thought it was useful at home and at work, you'll find even more value in it while on the road. With this list of accessories, you'll be able to listen to your music, entertain kids, and even track a stolen car with your Apple device.
By William E. Ketchum III (@WEKETCHUM)
Vehicle Locator
10. Vehicle Locator
Device Name: PocketFinder GPS Vehicle Locator
Link
Price: $189.95
Complex Says: The PocketFinder GPS Vehicle Locator helps you use your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to locate your vehicle. While the company touts it as a tool for parents to be able to supervise their children while driving, we think it's more useful to find a map location of your car if it gets stolen while you're away from it. There's a service fee (the purchase of the device includes two months' worth), but the peace of mind can be worth the purchase for someone who travels a lot.
Splitter
9. Headphone Splitter
Device Name: Male to Double Female Split Audio Adapter
Link
Price: $2.99
Complex Says: We know, now you can't give the excuse of sacrificing your iPad for your girlfriend to watch those cheesy romcoms on her own. With these headphone splitters, you can both listen to the device's audio while the driver listens to his own car system's tunes. Don't worry, you'll thank us later.
Router
8. Wifi Router
Device Name: Novatel MiFi 2200
Link
Price: $299.99
Complex Says: If your iPad is wifi-only, then much of your Internet usage will be limited to those pitstops at restaurants or hotels. Fortunately, Verizon and Sprint both have 3G and 4G wifi routers that enable Internet usage from their phone networks, so you have a connection more readily available. Just be careful to ration your usage—most of these come with a limited monthly allowance of MB to be used with the device, with extra charges after you surpass that amount.
Headrest
7. Headrest
Device Name: iPADKET Car Seat Headrest
Link
Price: $28.88
Complex Says: Who says you have to be the only one using your iPad while on the road? Get one of these headrest mounts, and you'll be able to keep the kids quiet for a couple of hours by distracting them with the screen's vivid colors, while you focus on the road. Finding Nemo works every time.
Case Protector
6. Case Protector
Device Name: Woogie 2
Link
Price: $19.99
Complex Says: Another kid-friendly accessory, the Woogie 2 doubles as a toy and a case protector for the iPhone or iPod. It's big, fuzzy, and comes in colors ready for boys and girls. Just don't trip if the young'n is dead quiet in the backseat for a while. That means he's entertained.
FM Transmitter
5. FM Transmitter
Device Name: Griffin iTrip
Link
Price: $49.95
Complex Says: If your car doesn't have the port for the iCable, get an FM transmitter. These devices broadcast the music from your iPod or iPhone to the nearest open FM radio frequency in your car. The sound isn't as clear or reliable as the cable, but it's definitely a better choice than looking for a good radio station while you're in the middle of nowhere. The one above auto-adjusts the sound based on the strength of the radio signal.
Cable
4. Cable
Device Name: Monster iCable 800
Link
Price: $19.95
Complex Says: Playing CDs in the car is clunky, and it's always a hassle to lug around a big binder when the disks inside are probably scratched anyway. Save yourself the trouble, and catch up with the times by picking up an auxiliary cable to play your iPod and iPad's music in the car.
Keyboard
3. Keyboard
Device Name: Freedom i-Connex
Link
Price: $37.95
Complex Says: If you're running behind on work during your trip, it's a good idea to get a wireless keyboard for your iPad. While your driver holds down the wheel, you can type documents and emails from the passenger seat to ensure that your time on the road doesn't prevent you from missing deadlines.
Mount
2. Mount
Device Name: Kensington Quick Release Car Mount
Link
Price: $29.95
Complex Says: As long as you're careful while driving—both for safety, and to make sure cops don't pull you over—getting a car mount for your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Is a smart investment. If you get a sturdy one that sticks to your windshield, you can use the GPS to get where you need to go, and to watch movies or read on your way there. Kensington is usually the go-to brand for these.
Car Charger
1. Charger
Device Name: Scosche reVIVE II Dual USB Car Charger
Link
Price: $15.43
Complex Says: All of these accessories are useless if your battery dies on the road. If you don't have the foresight to give your device a full charge before heading out, at least do yourself a favor and get a car charger to get extra juice on the road. They're available all over the Internet from different brands and in different price ranges, but here's an option to get you started. The Scosche reVIVE II Dual USB Car Charger here comes with an extra USB port, so if you have two devices, you can charge both at once.