Mobile Fun Blog

Top 10 Sony Ericsson Satio Cases

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

It’s been almost a year since the Sony Ericsson Satio was first announced and although it took more than 9 months to reach the shelves, the Satio is proving to be an incredibly popular handset. The Satio is the first multimedia touchscreen phone from Sony Ericsson that’s aimed at everyday users rather than businesses. The Satio has a 12mp camera, making it a great choice for people who enjoy taking lots of photos and sharing them with friends by email, social networking sites and picture messaging. The Satio is also a great phone for music and video playback and if you’ve got one, you’re going to want to keep it protected from knocks and scrapes. There are a wide range of Sony Ericsson Satio cases, covers & skins available, but which style is right for you and which one should you go for? I’ve put our top selling Satio cases to the test to see which ones do the best job of protecting your phone.

1. InvisibleSHIELD for Sony Ericsson Satio

The InvisibleSHIELD is more than just a screen protector. Not only does it cover the front screen of your Satio, it also covers the back and sides of your phone. Installation takes a little bit longer than a screen protector would, but the end result is well worth it. It covers almost all of your phone and will withstand the toughest of scrapes. The InvisibleSHIELD has a matte finish with a non slip feel to it. It is great at repelling fingerprints and reducing reflections. As the InvisibleSHIELD doesn’t add any extra bulk to your phone, you can use in in conjuction with most other Cases and Skins.

InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector - Sony Ericsson Satio

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Top Nokia N97 Mini Cases

Monday, November 16th, 2009

With so many different Nokia N97 Mini cases and covers available, people often ask us “Which is the best case for my Nokia N97 Mini” so to help you out, here’s a list of our top 3 cases for the Nokia N97 Mini. We’ll update this list as and when new cases are released.

1. Nokia CP-390 N97 Mini Carry Pouch

A Mobile Fun favourite – the Nokia CP-390 carry pouch is a custom made horizontal pouch made exclusively for the Nokia N97 Mini. It’s a hard-wearing Leather case, discretely embossed with a Nokia N-series logo. It holds your N97 Mini securely and allows you to use it in both portrait and landscape mode without having to remove it from the case, in fact you can even use the slide out qwerty keyboard without taking it out of the case. There is a secure belt clip on the back, and a strong magnetic catch to keep the case closed. The inside of the case has a microfibre lining that helps to keep your N97 Mini clean and fingerprint free.

Nokia CP-390 N97 Mini Carry Case

2. Nokia N97 Mini Crystal Case

Crystal Cases, as the name suggests are crystal clear clip on covers that are designed to protect the housing of your device from scratches and absorb impact damage when you drop it. Crystal cases aren’t the most robust case you can get, but if you drop your N97 Mini and the case breaks, then it’s done it’s job properly – after all a broken case is cheaper and easier to replace than your phone. Crystal cases are one of the most affordable cases available which makes them extremely popular.

Nokia N97 Mini Crystal Case

3. N97 Mini Toughguard Shell

ToughGuard Shells are similar to Crystal Cases but are much more robust. Rather than being made from clear plastic, they are made from a more flexible, energy-absorbing polycarbonate. This means that the case is unlikely to break or shatter if you drop your phone and it will divert impact damage away from your Tocco Lite. ToughGuard Shells don’t cover the screen, so we’d recommend using a Tocco Lite Screen Protector with it. These cases are a secure fit to your phone and are more suited to people who want to put a case on their phone and leave it on permanently.

ToughGuard Shell For Nokia N97 Mini

If you’ve not seen the accessory here that’s right for you, why not take a look at our full range of Nokia N97 Mini Cases.

Top 10 Accessories for the Nokia N97 Mini

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

The Nokia N97 was a big hit for Nokia earlier this year and they’re hoping to do even better with its baby brother – the Nokia N97 Mini. Visually it looks very similar to the original N97 but Nokia have made a number of changes to its design. It’s smaller, lighter, has less internal memory and has a slightly different keypad layout, but other than that the two handsets are very similar. If you’re upgrading from an earlier Nokia such as the N95 or N96, some of your accessories will still work, but most cases, covers and desk stands won’t.

To help you make the right choice in deciding on accessories for your new smart phone, we’ve compiled our list of top 10 accessories for the Nokia N97 Mini.

1. Nokia CP-390 N97 Mini Carry Case

A Mobile Fun favourite – the Nokia CP-390 carry pouch is a custom made horizontal pouch made exclusively for the Nokia N97 Mini. It’s a hard-wearing Leather case, discretely embossed with a Nokia N-series logo. It holds your phone securely and allows you to use it in either portrait or landscape mode without having to remove it from the case, in fact you can even use the slide out qwerty keyboard without taking it out of the case. There is a secure belt clip on the back, and a strong magnetic catch to keep the case closed. The inside of the case has a microfibre lining that helps to keep your N97 Mini clean and fingerprint free.

Nokia N97 Mini Carry Case - CP390

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Top 10 Accessories for the BlackBerry Storm2

Friday, November 6th, 2009

The BlackBerry Storm was a big hit for BlackBerry last year and they’re hoping to do even better with their latest touch screen handset – the BlackBerry Storm2. Visually it looks very similar to the original Storm but RIM have made a number of changes to it’s design. The charging port has moved, the screen improved and the buttons under the screen have also changed. If you’re upgrading from the original Storm, some of your accessories will still work, but most cases, covers and desktop chargers won’t.

To help you make the right choice in deciding on accessories for your new smart phone, we’ve compiled our list of top 10 accessories for the BlackBerry Storm2.

1. BlackBerry Storm2 Chrome Charging Pod

With this, you have a great way of showing off your new phone at home or in the office while charging the battery. It can be connected to a mains charger, or to your computer using a USB cable and charges the battery using two small charging pads on the back of your phone so there is no need to mess around with cables. Simply sit your Storm2 in the pod to start charging.

BlackBerry Storm2 Chrome Desktop Charging Pod

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UK Kindle Accessories Now In Stock!

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

E-Readers have been around for a while in the UK, but they don’t seem to have really taken off. The most popular e-Reader has been the Amazon Kindle, but up until last week it was only available in America. This week Amazon launched an International version of the Kindle for the UK. It’s essentially the same as the Kindle 2, but has a few new features that allow it to work worldwide.

The Kindle started shipping from America last Monday and deliveries began yesterday. If you’ve ordered one and are patiently waiting for it to arrive, now is the perfect time to protect your investment and find the perfect accessories to keep it safe and help make the most of your new Kindle.

Amazon Kindle - now available in the UK

We’ve just launched our range of Kindle accessories and have a selection of Kindle Cases, Kindle Screen Protectors and Kindle Reading Lights available and have more coming over the next few weeks.

To help you get started here’s a few of our favourite Kindle Accessories:

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Top 10 Sony Ericsson Satio Accessories

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Way back in February, Sony Ericsson announced the Idou which later became the Satio. It grabbed lots of attention and looked like it could be a candidate to finally match or beat the iPhone. But that was back in February, and since then we’ve seen the release of some big handsets – the iPhone 3GS, Nokia N97, HTC Hero and the Samsung Pixon12 – all of which promised to be better than the iPhone but none have managed it yet.

The Satio is finally available and as revealed back in February it features a 12mp camera with Xenon flash and touch focus, GPS, 3G, Wi-Fi and most importantly is fully touch screen. If you’ve got the Satio, you’re going to want to make the most of all of it’s features, and to do that you’ll need to invest in a few extra accessories, so to help you find the best ones, I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 accessories for the Sony Ericsson Satio.

1. InvisibleSHIELD for Sony Ericsson Satio
InvisibleSHIELD are more than just a screen protector, but not really a full mobile phone case. They’re a tough, thin film that covers the front screen of the Satio and also includes the same tough film for the back of your phone. Installation takes a little bit longer than a  standard screen protector would, but the end result is well worth it. It covers almost all of the Satio and will withstand the toughest of scrapes. The InvisibleSHIELD has a matte finish with a non-slip feel to it. It is great at repelling fingerprints and reducing reflections and most importantly doesn’t affect the sensitivity of the touch screen. As the InvisibleShield doesn’t add any extra bulk to the Satio, you can use in in conjuction with most other Satio Cases.

InvisibleSHIELD for Sony Ericsson Satio

2. Sony Ericsson Satio Car Accessory Pack
The Satio Car Accessory Pack is specifically designed to help you use the Satio in the car. It includes a suction mount holder that will secure your phone safely whilst driving and is specifically designed for Sony Ericsson phones with the charging port on the side. It includes a genuine Sony Ericsson car charger that can attach to the holder and will connect to your phone everytime you put your phone in the holder.

Sony Ericsson Satio Car Pack

3. Venturi Mini Bluetooth Car Kit
For those that don’t want a fully fitted car kit, or if you share a car,  this product has got to be top of your wish list! Combining the latest FM transmitter and Bluetooth Technology, the Venturi Kit allows you to make phone calls and listen to your music from your Satio through your car stereo by simply plugging into the cigarette lighter socket of your car. Caller ID and song information is also sent to your radio display so you can see who’s calling and what you’re listening to!

Venturi Mini Bluetooth Car Kit

4. Satio MFX Screen Protector
The last thing that you’re going to want to do to the brilliantly clear screen of your Satio is scratch it and these screen protectors from MFX are a great way to keep your screen looking like new.

MFX Screen Protector - Sony Ericsson Satio

5. Sony Ericsson HBH-IS800 Bluetooth Headphones
The Sony Ericsson IS800 is the smallest Stereo Bluetooth Headset that you can get, and when I say small, I mean incredibly small! The two earpieces are connected by a short wire that also has a slim line control unit. From the headset you can answer/end calls, activate voice dialing and play/pause your music. Considering its size, battery life is impressive with up to 270 hours stand by time. They may not look much in a photo, but they compliment the Satio perfectly and when you see them, you’ll want them!

Sony Ericsson IS800 Bluetooth Headphones

6. 16GB Micro SDHC Memory Card
Despite the Satio being marketed as a true Multimedia handset, it only has a limited amount of internal storage. As a result, one of the first purchases you will need to make is a bigger memory card. The Satio supports cards of upto 16GB. This 16GB memory card can store upto 14000 high quality photos, 3000 songs and 18 hours of video.

MicroSDHC Card - 16GB

7. Sony Ericsson Satio Car Charger
Battery life is never great on a touch screen smartphone so a car charger is a worthwhile investment. The genuine Sony Ericsson Car charger will work in both 12v and 24v vehicles (ie. it works in cars, lorries and trucks).

Sony Ericsson Satio Car Charger

8. Sony Ericsson Satio Desk Stand
Charge or synchronise your Satio simply by placing it on the Desk stand. The charging port on the side slides up and down to suit your phone and can be used in conjunction with USB charging cables, Handsfree Kits, headphones and Music cables. When connected your Satio sits on your desk at the perfect angle for keeping an eye on your music, text alerts and emails.

Sony Ericsson Satio Desk Stand

9. Sony Ericsson Bluetooth Headset HBH-PV740

The PV740 is a great little Bluetooth headset that features a small display screen that lets you know whether it’s connected or not and how much battery power is remaining. It’s available in Black and Silver and has been designed by Sony Ericsson to complement the Satio.

Sony Ericsson HBH-PV740 Bluetooth Headset

10.  Sony Ericsson Satio Stereo Speakers

The Satio doesn’t have built in stereo speakers, so to really enjoy your music you’ll need a set of stereo speakers. This ultra-compact speaker clips onto your Satio and lets you enjoy full stereo sound. It doubles up as a desk stand too and is perfect for watching videos from your gallery, YouTube and the BBC iPlayer. The Sony Ericsson MS410 snap-on speaker stand features an integrated FM radio antenna as well as a special sliding mechanism that makes it compatible with virtually all Sony Ericsson handsets. It draws it’s power from the Satio and doesn’t need batteries.

Sony Ericsson Satio Music Stand

So that’s my top ten for the Sony Ericsson Satio – but there still loasd of other accessories available. If you haven’t seen an accessory here that does what you want, then take a look at our full range of Sony Ericsson Satio accessories. Over the next few weeks we’re expecting the range to increase significantly and I’ll update this post as and when products become available.

Top 10 Palm Pre Accessories

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

One of the most highly anticipated handsets of the year is the Palm Pre. It launched in America several months ago and since then the UK has been patiently waiting for it to be released over here. Well, the wait is over as the Pre is available from the 16th October.  For those lucky people getting their hands on a Pre, here is our top 10 list of Palm Pre accessories:

1. Palm Pre Leather Side Case
This case is made specifically for the Pre by Palm. It’s a perfect fit to your phone and has a ribbon pull to make removing your Pre quick and easy.  There’s a belt clip on the back and the front flap is kept securely closed by a magnetic catch. Inside the case you’ll find a soft, microfibre lining that helps to clean your phone and eliminate fingerprints and smudges.

Palm Pre Leather Case

2. Palm Pre Touchstone Charging Kit
It doesn’t look much, but this clever little device lets you charge your Palm Pre without the hassle of plugging it in. Instead, simply place the Touchstone back cover on your phone and then sit your phone on the Touchstone. Magnets in the Touchstone will align your phone to where it needs to be and it will then charge your phone – in a similar way to how you charge an electric toothbrush. There’s a few other clever features such as automatic speaker phone activation when you place the Pre on the touchstone when you’re on a call. You’ll still need to use your existing mains charger with it though, so if you want this as a spare/second charger, you’ll need to buy another Palm Pre Mains Charger too.

3. Seidio Innocase Surface for Palm Pre
Seidio Cases are a relatively new arrival at Mobile Fun. Their range of cases for the iPhone are already incredibly popular and I’m sure their Pre cases will be a big hit too. The Innocase Surface case for the Pre is a tough, flexible case that will protect your phone against knocks, drops and scrapes. It leaves the keyboard and screen easily accessible and unlike a lot of cases for the Palm Pre, it still allows you to use the Touchstone without having to remove the case.

Seidio Palm Pre Innocase Surface Case

4. InvisibleSHIELD Palm Pre
If you like your phone on show, but still want to protect your phone against scratches and scrapes then a Palm Pre InvisibleSHIELD could be just what you’re looking for. It’s not really a case and its much more than a screen protector. It’s a thin film that covers almost all of your handset and is extremely tough. It has a non-slip matte coating that reduces the chance of your Palm Pre slipping out of your fingers and helps reduce glare and finger prints.

Palm Pre InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector

5. Palm Pre Car Charger
Similar to other smart phones, the Palm Pre doesn’t have the best battery in the world, so if you lead a busy life or are often out and about in the car then a car charger is the best way to keep your Pre charged up. You’ll also be able to use this charger on any other devices that use a Micro USB charger such as Bluetooth headsets or Bluetooth Car Kits.

Palm Car Charger

6. Palm Pre Brodit Car Holder
This phone-specific cradle will hold your Pre securely and has a car charger wired into it. It leaves all of your ports accessible and allows you to charge your phone while it’s in the holder. It is made from a strong ABS plastic and are designed to be screwed onto your dashboard, although if you don’t fancy doing this you can use a Brodit ProClip. These are secure mounting pads that clip on to your dashboard and can be removed without causing any damage to your vehicle. ProClips provide an ideal base for fixing an active holder on to

Brodit Passive Holder with Tilt Swivel - Palm Pre

7. Mugen Battery & Back cover for Palm Pre
If you need more power for your Palm Pre, you can either carry around a spare battery and swap them over when one dies, or you can get a more powerful battery – and that’s exactly what this is.  The standard Palm Pre battery is 1150mAh where as the Mugen Battery is 3800mAh – more than 3 times the capacity! Naturally, you can’t cram all that extra power in the same small battery that came with the Pre, so the Mugen battery comes with an extended back cover to accommodate the larger battery. In terms of charging, you’ll need to charge it with the mains adapter as the touchstone isn’t compatible.

Mugen Battery & Back Cover - Palm Pre - 3800 mAh

8. Jabra SP700 Bluetooth Car Kit
It’s been around for a while, but as yet there isn’t really another portable car kit that can challenge the Jabra SP700. The BlackBerry Visor kit comes very close – but then it would do – it’s a rebadged SP700! This car kit has a built in FM transmitter and once paired with your Pre  using Bluetooth, you can stream audio from calls and your music player through to your car stereo. The battery life of the SP700 is fantastic with up to 14 hours talk time and 250 hours stand by.

Jabra SP700 Bluetooth Speakerphone

9. Jawbone Prime Bluetooth Headset
Jawbone headsets are great. They were among the first to introduce noise cancelling technology, and since their launch a couple of years ago, many other manufacturers have been trying to match them. The latest headset from Jawbone is the Prime – at first glance it’s very similar to the previous 2 models, but is actually quite a bit smaller. The technology inside it has changed too. You no longer need to have a sensor pressed against your cheek to pick up vibrations, and it now has a 2nd microphone to help eliminate background noise. The Prime is also a multipoint headset (what is multipoint) so you can use it with two phones at the same time.

Jawbone PRIME Bluetooth Headset - Black

10. Jabra Halo Stereo Bluetooth Headset
The Jabra Halo Stereo Bluetooth Headset is the latest stereo headset to be released, and to be honest its probably the best one yet. It has incredibly simple controls – a touch sensitive slider on the right ear lets you adjust the volume by sliding your finger up or down, where as a double tap will skip the track. One multi use button lets you play/pause your music as well as answer/end calls and activate voice dialling. When they’re not in use, the headphones fold away so as not to take up too much space and to reduce the chance of them getting damaged. If you want to know more, take a look at my Jabra Halo hands on review.

Jabra Halo Stereo Bluetooth Headset

This isn’t the full range of accessories for the Palm Pre, just some of the ones that I think do a great job with the Palm Pre. As we get closer to the UK release date and more accessories become available, I’ll update this post with anything new that comes along so remember to check back soon.  In the meantime, you can check out our full range of Palm Pre Accessories.

Top 10 Nokia E71 Cases

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

If you’ve got yourself a powerful smart phone such as the Nokia E71, chances are that you’re going to be using it heavily during your working day for appointments, calls and emails. With the phone working so hard to keep you in touch with the world and your life in order, you’re going to need a way to keep your phone safe and protected.

Mobile Phone Cases come in all shapes and sizes – from Premium Leather Cases through to the everyday leather, plastic and silicone cases. With such a great range available finding a case to match your needs can be a bit overwhelming, so I’ve put together a list of our top 10 cases for the Nokia E71.

1. FlexiShield Skin Plus – Nokia E71

If you’re not one for leather cases, or you want a case that is a bit more practical then a FlexiShield Skin will probably suit you better. FlexiShield Skins for the Nokia E71 are thicker and tougher than standard Silicone Cases and will certainly give your phone more bounce if you drop it! It has a non slip feel to it and covers all of the back of the handset, leaving the camera free for you to take your photos. The FlexiShield Plus also includes a Nokia E71 screen protector to stop your screen from getting scratched.

FlexiShield Plus For The Nokia E71 - Clear

2. Nokia CP-277 – E71 Carry Case

The CP-277 Carry Case has been designed by Nokia to work perfectly with the Nokia E71. It’s a hard leather carry pouch that holds your phone securely and protects both the screen and keypad. The case is well suited to people who carry their phones around in their bag or pocket.

Nokia CP-277 - E71 Carry Case

3. Nokia CP-360  - E71 Carry Case

The CP-360 is a hard leather case that’s made specifically for the E71. It holds the phone securely and leaves the keypad and screen fully accessible. There’s no bulky belt clip on the back so it’s perfect if you want to carry it in a bag or pocket.  It has a folding design that makes it easy to insert or remove your phone.

Nokia CP-360 Carrying Case - Nokia E71

4. OtterBox Impact for Nokia E71

While it’s not quite as heavy duty as the OtterBox defender, the OtterBox Impact still provides high levels of protection when you drop your Nokia E71. The Impact series case is a silicon skin that covers the back and corners of your phone, but leaves the volume controls, keypad and headphone socket easily accessible. It has extra padding on the internal corners that will absorb impact energy and divert it away from your phone. Your screen isn’t covered though, so you’ll need to invest in a Nokia E71 Screen Protector.

OtterBox For Nokia E71 Impact Series

5. Nokia E71 Krusell Classic Case

If you work in the building trade or in a dusty environment, then this is the case for you. It completely covers all of your phone and is secured with a unique zip fastening only found on Krusell cases. It prevents dust from getting trapped under the screen of your phone and fully protects the case of your phone from getting dented or scratched when you drop it. The back of the case folds down to reveal the camera. As with every Krusell case, it’s compatible with the full range of Multidapt clips and holders, so finding a mounting option to suit your needs shouldn’t be a problem.

Nokia E71 Krusell Classic Leather Case

6. Nokia E71 InvisibleShield

The InvisibleSHIELD is more than just a screen protector. Not only does it cover the front screen of your Nokia E71, it also includes the same tough protective film for the back of your phone. Installation takes a little bit longer than a normal screen protector, but the end result is well worth it. It covers almost all of your phone (not the keyboard) and will withstand the toughest of scrapes. The InvisibleSHIELD has a matte finish with a non slip feel to it. It is great at repelling fingerprints and reducing reflections. As the InvisibleSHIELD doesn’t add any extra bulk to your phone, you can use in in conjuction with most Nokia E71 Cases and Skins.

InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector - Nokia E71

7. PDair Leather Flip Case – E71

PDair cases are a range of elegant, hand stitched leather cases designed to protect and enhance your Nokia E71. Each case is hand made from premium leather cuts and is individually designed to give a perfect fit to your phone. PDair cases are available in a range of styles to suit all tastes, but this is by far the most popular for the E71.

PDair Leather Flip Case - Nokia E71

8. PDair Vertical Pouch – Nokia E71

This case is made in the same way as the one above, but is a pouch that you slide your phone in to. It leaves the charger and handsfree ports accessible, but you’ll need to remove the phone from the case in order to use it. Due to high demand for PDair cases availability is often limited, so if we’re showing as having either of these cases in stock you’ll need to order one quickly as they can sometimes take weeks to come back into stock!

9. Beyza Slimline Leather Case

Beyza cases are slim, leather pockets for your phone that add very little bulk to your phone. They’re made from genuine leather and have a soft felt lining that cleans your phone everytime you slide your phone in and out. As they have quite a neat fit to your phone, the Beyza cases have a cut out at the base that helps you to push your phone out of the case. It’s designed to be carried in your bag or pocket and doesn’t have a belt clip or belt loop.

Beyza SlimLine Vertical Leather Case - Nokia E71 - Black

10. Silicone Case – Nokia E71

As the name suggests, Silicone Cases are made from a soft flexible Silicone gel that covers almost all of your Nokia E71. The only parts left exposed are the screen and keypad, so you might want to invest in a screen protector to prevent scratches. Silicone cases add very little to your phone in the way of bulk or weight, and are a great way to protect your phone against minor knocks and scrapes.

Silicone Case for Nokia E71 - Black

If you’ve not seen the case here that’s right for you, take a look at our full range of Nokia E71 Cases, or leave us a comment below telling us what you want in the way of a case!

Alternatives to the TomTom iPhone Car Kit

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

With pricing now confirmed for the TomTom iPhone Car Kit at £99.99 without the Sat Nav Application, it makes the whole package a little expensive at just under £160 – especially when you consider that you can buy a fully functional stand alone TomTom GPS unit for less than £120.

Now, don’t get me wrong, TomTom do make great Sat Nav systems, but I’m really not convinced that their iPhone offering is really worth the £160 that they’re asking for it. The car cradle is a clever bit of kit, but there are other devices out there that will do the same thing. The main features of the TomTom Car Cradle are:

• Charges your iPhone
• Ability to play your music through your car stereo
• Built in speaker for handsfree calling
• GPS Enhancer
• Volume controls

I’ve spent a bit of time this week searching out the best alternatives to the pricey TomTom set up and here’s what I found:

Option 1 – Jabra SP700

• CoPilot Live UK & Ireland £25.99 (iTunes Link)
• Jabra SP700 £38.53
• Sat Nav Starter Pack £14.95
• Total Cost £79.47

It’s not all in one like the TomTom, but this set up is less than half the price! CoPilot Live is a great alternative to TomTom. The software has been around for years on Windows Mobile devices and is the pre-installed mapping application on most T-Mobile and O2 smartphones. Feature wise it does everything that TomTom does, but for a lot less money. It’s currently rated as a 4 star app on the iTunes App store, compared to 3 stars for the TomTom app.  The Sat Nav starter pack for iPhone includes a compact, rotating windscreen holder for your iPhone and a car charger. If you’ve already tried using GPS on the iPhone in your car, you’ll know necessary a  car charger is. Having the screen on permanently and locking on to a GPS signal drains the battery quite quickly. The Jabra SP700 is much more than just a standard Bluetooth speaker phone. It has a built in FM transmitter that can stream music, calls and directions from your iPhone through to your car stereo using Bluetooth.

Use the Sat Nav Starter Pack and Jabra SP700 to get the most out of CoPilot Live

Option 2 – Venturi Mini

• Navigon MobileNavigator British Isles £37.99 -£54.99 (iTunes Link)
• Venturi Mini £54.95
• iPhone Car Pack £17.95
• Total Cost £110.89 – £127.89

Navigon was the first Sat Nav app for the iPhone, and its relatively low price made it incredibly popular. On iTunes it’s currently rated as a 3 and a half star app, so better than TomTom, but not quite as high as CoPilot Live. The iPhone Car Pack includes a robust, adjustable holder that can hold your iPhone in almost any position as well as a car charger to keep your phone fully charged. The Venturi Mini is a Bluetooth car kit that is designed to fit in your cigarette lighter permanently. To charge your iPhone, you just need to connect your existing iPhone USB cable to the USB port on the side of the Venturi. The Venturi works in a similar way to the Jabra SP700.  It connects to your phone using Bluetooth and will then stream your music, calls and sat nav directions through to your car stereo using its built in FM transmitter. If your car stereo has a line in/aux in connection, you can connect the Venturi to it using a 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable (the same as the TomTom Cradle).

Venturi Mini & iPhone Car Pack

Option 3 – Parrot MKi9000 Fully Fitted Kit

• CoPilot Live UK & Ireland £25.99 (iTunes Link)
• Brodit Holder with Dock Connector £39.99
• Parrot MKi9000 Bluetooth Car Kit £89.95
• Total Cost £155.93

This set up isn’t so much about saving money compared to the TomTom kit, more a case of showing you how much more you could get for the same sort of price. Without doubt, you’ll always get better audio quality using a fully fitted car kit than you would with a portable one. The Parrot MKi range of car kits have been designed with iPods and iPhones in mind and they work almost seamlessly. The MKi9000 kit is fitted behind your dashboard and is completely out of sight.  There is a multi connector cable that has a USB port, 3.5mm headphone jack and an Apple Dock connector. This cable connects your iPhone to the car kit and will route call audio, music and directions through your car stereo at the same time as charging it. The Brodit holder that I’ve suggested here has a dock connector on the bottom too, so you can connect this cable to it, then whenever you slide your phone into the holder it will connect to the car kit without having to mess around with cables. If you’d rather not use cables, then you can use the kit over a bluetooth connection and get the same functionality from it. A small remote can be attached to your dashboard or steering wheel and can be used to answer/end calls as well as play/ pause music and activate voice dialling (Voice dialling is feature of the MKi9000 and will work with all models of iPhone). The prices shown here don’t include installation and vehicles without an ISO stereo may need additional cables.

Co-Pilot works well with the Parrot Mki9000

All three of these solutions work great with the iPhone and any of the available Sat Nav applications available for the iPhone, including the TomTom App.  You’ll find more information on each of the Sat Nav Apps on the App Store within iTunes or on your iPhone. To give you a clear idea on the differences between the TomTom Kit and the other options mentioned here, I’ve put a chart together to show the main differences.

Features	TomTom Cradle	Jabra SP700	Venturi Mini	Parrot MKi
Charges iPhone
Plays Music through Stereo
Hands Free Calling
GPS Enhancer
Volume Controls
Holds phone in Landscape
Music Controls
External Microphone	Optional

All Prices correct as of 30/09/09 and are subject to change.

A guide to the best Car Holders for phones in Cases

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

The best way to keep your phone protected against knocks or scrapes is to keep it in a case, but this can cause a few problems if you plan on using your phone in a holder in the car. Most car holders are moulded specifically for your phone and don’t allow for any added bulk from cases.  Having said that, there are still a number of ways that you can mount your phone in the car while it’s in a case.

There are a couple of things to remember though, the main one being that access to your phone will be slightly limited, so depending on the case you’re using, it may be safer to remove the case from the phone – especially if it covers the keypad. The other thing to bear in mind is that the car holders use side grips to support your phone, so some buttons might become unusable while it’s in one of these holders.

If you want a holder that will give you full access to your phone without covering any buttons or access ports, you’ll be better off with a Brodit Holder but you can’t use them at the same time as a case

I’ve been through our range of Car holders and listed below the best ones for holding phones in cases.

Case Specific Holders

Two of the biggest case manufacturers, Krusell & PDair have realised that people need a way to mount their phone in the car when they’re using a case and have produced holders that are specifically designed to work with their cases.  Krusell offer 2 different holders for your phone, one for your windscreen, one for your dashboard.

Krusell Car Windscreen Holder

This holder fixes to your windscreen using a small suction pad and will hold any phone in a Krusell case securely.  The mounting port of the holder can be rotated through 360° so you can use your phone in landscape mode for applications such as satellite navigation or music software. It has a quick release suction mount and a flexible arm that lets you position the arm exactly how you want it.

Krusell Car Windscreen Holder

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