The one source of power that is all around us, completely free and has no damaging effects on the environment is the sun, and thanks to a new range of accessories, you can now harness the power of the sun to help reduce the power your mobile phone uses.

Solar Powered Bluetooth Car Kits
LG and Iqua have both released a Solar powered Bluetooth Car Kit.

LG HFB-500 Solar Car Kit

The LG HFB-500 sits on the inside of your car windscreen and charges itself using energy from the sun. While its in sunlight it will charge constantly, and can provide upto 16 hours of talktime, and 1100 hours stand by time from a full charge! LG also provide a car charger, just in case the battery does run out, but as you’ll no doubt be leaving this in your windscreen all day, everyday you’ll probably never need it! If you have an LG handset, you can use the HFB-500 as an emergency charger and charge your phone from it.

Iqua Vizor Sun Solar Car Kit

The Iqua Vizor Sun is a slightly different concept and is designed to be mounted on your sunvisor. You’ll need to have your sunvisor down in order for it to charge, but its clear keypad makes answering calls easy. Talk time is even more impressive than the LG Handsfree, and it has unlimited standby times when in sunlight.

Iqua Sun BH-603 Solar Headset

Solar Powered Bluetooth headset
Iqua are certainly leading the field with environmentally friendly mobile accessories – In addition to their Solar Powered Bluetooth Car Kit, they also offer the worlds first Solar Powered Bluetooth Headset – the Iqua Sun BH-603. Despite having a solar panel built in, the headset weighs just 14g and provides upto 9 hours of talktime in darkness, even more in daylight. As the Iqua Sun draws its energy directly from the sun, it gives you complete freedom from wires.

Solar Chargers

Solar Chargers:
These are a must have accessory for anyone with an MP3 player, Mobile Phone, Handheld games console, or any other gadget that can be charged using a USB Charging Cable. The Solar Chargers have an inbuilt battery that draws its power from the sun. A range of charging tips are included for most devices. Solar Chargers are ideal for trips away, days out or down on the beach!

Using the Sun to charge your mobile phone and accessories may not be the biggest change you can make, but its certainly a step in the right direction. To help you save more energy, read our post on How to extend your Mobile Phone’s battery life.

The Wii MotionPlus will include a replacement jacket for your Wii-mote and a sequel to the popular Wii Sports game that was originally bundled with the console. Wii Sports Resort will be the first game to take advantage of the new MotionPlus accessory, and includes new games such as Sword Play, Power Cruising on a water scooter and Disc Dog, which involves throwing a disc to a Wii dog.

Also announced was a WiiSpeak Microphone which will add online chat to the Wii Console. The microphone is designed to plug into one of the USB ports and then sit underneath your TV in a similar way to the sensor bar. With the controllers being wireless, it makes you wonder why they opted for a wired microphone. It will certainly be interesting to see how good the microphone is at picking your voice up when you have to stand a good couple of metres away from your TV to play the games.

With Nintendo making their consoles more and more interactive it will be interesting to see where they go with this, are we likely to see games that you have to talk to in the not too distant future?

The WiiSpeak Microphone is due to go on sale later this year. The Wii MotionPlus is due for release in Spring 2009.

Elan Intelli-Mutes

Elan Intelli-Mutes: What are they and why do I need one?

The Intelli-Mute from Elan is designed to install your Car Kit quickly and hassle free. Instead of hardwiring your Car Kit into the vehicle’s power supply, the Intelli-Mute allows your Car Kit to be powered using your car stereo. All call audio is routed through the car stereo speakers, taking away the need to install a separate speaker in the passenger foot well, which can often lead to muffled or distorted sounds – especially at higher speeds. The volume of the call can be adjusted through your stereo controls or steering wheel audio controls (if fitted to your vehicle).

Intelli-Mute wiring Diagram

The Intelli-Mute is a three way lead, one end connects to your existing vehicle wiring, one to the Intelli-Mute control box and the third connects to the back of your car stereo. You will need to make sure that the Intelli-Mute that you order is the correct one for your stereo. If you are not sure what connection type your stereo has, please contact your local car dealership or stereo manufacturer. To complete the installation, you will also need an Accessory Harness specific to your Car Kit.

Elan Accessory Harness

Elan Accessory Harness: What are they and why do I need one?

The Accessory Harness is the lead that connects your Intelli-Mute control box to your Car Kit. As each type of Car Kit is different, they have harnesses specific to each type and have to be ordered separately. They are really simple to fit, one end connects to the Intelli-Mute control box, and the other end to the power and speaker connections of your Car Kit. Depending on your vehicle and the amount of space in your dashboard, the Intelli-Mute and harness are designed to sit behind your car stereo. If there isn’t room, the cables are long enough for you to be able to feed from behind the dashboard where there is more space. All you will need to do then is position the microphone (and display screen if present) and feed the cables through to the Car Kit control box.

What else might I need?

Brodit produce a range of in car accessories to help make using your phone in the car easy and safe.

Brodit ProClips

ProClips are brackets that clip securely to your dashboard, giving you a firm, flat surface that you can screw your chosen phone holder on to. When it comes time to change your car or remove the kit, the bracket can be removed easily, leaving no damage to your dashboard.

Brodit Car Holders

Brodit also make two types of in car holder, Active and Passive. Active holders have a charger built in to them which plugs in to your cigarette lighter. Passive holders will hold your phone securely and allow you to use your own charger. Both holders are normally available with a fixed or tilt/swivel base.

Car Chargers

Using Bluetooth car kits and headsets can sometimes increase the drain on the battery, and as most modern Car Kits don’t have a physical connection to your phone, its always a good idea to have a car charger.

If you don’t want the hassle of installing the Car Kit and all extra accessories, Mobile Fun now offer a fitting service for your car kit. Standard Installation includes a fully trained engineer installing the kit at your home or work address. Premium Installation includes the home visit, but also includes an Intelli-mute and Brodit ProClip for your vehicle (Car kit dependant).

For a better understanding of how Multidapt works, here’s a quick video that Krusell have put together.

What Fitting Options are Available?

Leather Swivel Kit
The perfect accessory for those needing a hard wearing belt clip. The Leather Swivel Kit will safely attach to a belt to provide a secure holding. It is designed to fit standard 45mm belts and available individually or as part of the Executive Pack.

Shoulder Strap

Mount your mobile phone or MP3 player onto your bag strap. Have easy access to your phone for calls, or your MP3 player to control your music. Available only as part of the Executive Pack.

Vortex Clip
A full 360 degree rotating clip, which can be adjusted at 45 degree angles. The curved shape of the clip provides an extra secure fitting when attached to a belt. Available as part of the Executive Pack.

Mini Clip
A low profile belt clip that allows convenient carrying of your device on your trouser or jacket pocket. Available individually or as part of the Mobility Pack.

Car Holdic Kit
Designed to hold your mobile device in the car, simply mount the Car Hold Kit to your vehicles and slide in the Krusell case. Each Car Hold Kit can be mounted with the supplied adhesive tape or a dashboard screw. Available individually or as part of the Mobility Pack or Security Pack.

Bike Holder Kit
Perfect for outdoor activities, allows you attach your mobile phone, MP3 player, PDA or GPS receiver to your bike whilst cycling. Available
individually or as part of the
Sports Pack or
Mobility Pack.

Slide Swivel Kit
An easy and comfortable way to carry your mobile device. Simply attach to your belt and slide your Krusell case into the Slide Swivel Kit. Each Slide Swivel Kit allows full 360 degree movement. Available
individually or as part of the
Security Pack and
Mobility Pack.

Arm Strap
A must for both in-and-outdoor activities. Attach any Krusell Multidapt case to the Arm Strap and go. The secure fitting keeps your mobile device or MP3 player close to hand whilst being active. Available individually or as part of the Sports Pack.

Steel Swivel Kit
The ideal accessory for heavy duty professions. The Steel Swivel kit is designed to endure intense pressure, ideal for those working in rough environments. Designed to fit standard 45mm belts. Available as part of the Security Pack.

Retractable Strap
Ideal for keeping keys, MP3-players, etc within easy access. The high tension wire keeps yours accessories and phone at the right length for whenever you need it. Available individually and as part of the Security Pack.

QuickMounter
The QuickMounter is used to mount phones or PDAs in your car, boat or on any other surface. Anything that sticks to a magnet can be attached. A metal plate is secured to your phone, and the Quickfix holder is mounted by adhesive tape.

Spring Clip
The SpringClip represents Krusell’s standard clip for mobile phones. The SpringClip is perfect for anyone who switches back and forth from a small pocket to larger belt. The spring in the clip keeps it secure in any situation.

Windscreen Holder
Convenient to use! Mount mobile phones, GPS and PDAs according to your requirements to windshields and windows of any kind.

Ratchet Swivel Kit
A swivel that rotates around its own axis, this Ratchet Swivelkit is something for the fastidious user, who wants the best and most user friendly holder available on the market. Stops in 8 different positions when rotating the 360°.

Phoneholdic Kit
With the Phoneholdic kit you can carry your device in a Multidapt® way without using a case. Mounted by adhesive tape to your phone.

Big Clip
The BigClip is the more robust and slightly thicker alternative to the MiniClip and therefore suitable for both larger phones and belts.

Here are Mobile Fun’s top ten accessories for your Nintendo Wii:

	Nintendo Wii Component Cable A must for anyone with a High Definition TV. Experience ultra-realistic images to the fullest on your HDTV. Immerse yourself in a world of digital entertainment with superior quality sound and graphics enhanced by a premium quality component connection.
	Dual Charging Station for Wii Remotes Fed up with constantly replacing the batteries in your Wii Remotes? This Dual Charging station connects to a spare USB port on the back of your Wii and will charge your Wii Remotes when not in use.
	Official Nintendo Wii Remote Controller To really get into the spirit of the Wii you need to be able to play multi player games. Adding an additional controller will open up a whole new level of fun. Connect up to 4 Wii remotes to your Wii console.
	Official Nintendo Wii Nunchuck The Nunchuck adds more control and interaction to your Wii gaming. Make the most of your Wii by adding a nunchuck to each of your Wii Remotes.
	Sandisk 2GB SD Memory Card Increase the storage capacity on your Wii to 2GB and you will never need to worry about running out of space for your saved game data. Transfer photos to the memory card and enjoy watching them back as a slide show on your TV.
	Silicon Case Nintendo Controller Make sure your Wii Remote and Nunchuck don’t slip out of your hands with the Silicon Cases. The non-slip design means your fingers won’t slip off the controls at the wrong moment!
	Nintendo 13-in-1 Sports Pack Add more realism to playing Wii sports with this accessory pack! These clip on accessories turn your standard Wii remote into a Tennis Racket, Golf Club, Steering wheel, Baseball bat and more!
	Nintendo Wii Carry Bag Don’t want to damage your console when you take it round to your friends house for a party? The Nintendo Wii Carry Bag is designed to hold your Wii safely and securely and has space for games and extra controllers.
	Nintendo Wii Remote Extension Cable Never get tangled up during a game again! This extension cable gives you more freedom of movement while using your Nunchuck connected to your Wii Remote.
	Wireless Sensor Bar Don’t want wires trailing from your TV? Want to be able to position your Wii a bit further away from your TV than the cables will let you? This wireless sensor bar can be positioned anywhere, and can increase the distance you can play from. No installation is needed, just a few batteries!

Here are Mobile Fun’s top five accessories for your Apple iPhone:

	InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector – Apple iPhone The last thing you’ll want to do to your new phone is scratch it. Not only does it look bad, but can spoil your enjoyment while looking at photo’s, movies and coverflow. InvisibleShield full Body Protectors provide exceptionally clear protection that helps prevent impact damage from keys, coins & pens to both the front and back of your iPhone.
	Jawbone 2 Bluetooth Headset If you have used Bluetooth Headsets in the past, I’m sure you will have experienced times where people can’t hear a word you’re saying because of what’s going on around you, whether you’re in a Pub or Club, cruising down the motorway or in a noisy environment at work. Jawbone Bluetooth headsets incorporate the latest technology in noise cancellation meaning you will be heard no matter what is going on around you.
	i-Power iPhone Mains Charger Charging your phone through the USB cable connected to your PC or Mac isn’t always possible – especially if you’re away on holiday, or frequently away with work. This Mains Charger allows you to charge your iPhone without the need to dock it.
	Apple iPhone Krusell Orbit Premium Leather Case The Apple iPhone is a stylish phone, it needs a stylish case to go with it. The Krusell Leather case is extremely stylish and practical. Krusell have a range of connectors available too, so you can mount it on your belt, in the car or even on your bike, without having to remove it from its case. The Orbit Premium Leather Case features a built in stand to make reading your emails and accessing the Internet even easier.
	Apple iPhone Stereo Handsfree Adapter Listen to your MP3 music in full stereo with your own headphones on your iPhone. This adapter allows you to connect any headset with a 3.5 mm jack plug fitting to your iPhone. Built in controls also let you answer and end calls, as well as adjust volume levels and play/pause your music.

	Nokia N96 The N96 carries over all the features from the current N95 8GB, but has more of a look and feel of the Nokia N81. Additions to the already impressive list of specifications on the N95 8GB are, more memory – up from 8GB to 16GB of internal storage, as well as the capability to take up to 16GB Micro SDHC memory cards – Giving it potentially 32GB of storage. Nokia are also adding a digital TV tuner, so now not only can you watch video files, but live television too, but not in the UK as you need a DVB-H signal. DVB-H isn’t due to start broadcasting in the UK for a few years.
	Nokia N78 The N78 is similar in spec to that of the current Nokia N82. Having 3.2 Megapixel camera with xenon flash, built in GPS with the capability to Geo-tag your photo’s and Wi-Fi. New features introduced to the N78 are a touch sensitive D-pad, meaning you can scroll through photos and menu’s by sliding your thumb along one edge of the square silver D-pad. Nokia have also built in an FM transmitter, normally available as an add on accessory, this enables the N78 to play music from your phone on any FM radio.
	Nokia 6120 Navigator The 6120 is an update to the current 6110 navigator. Offering built in GPS, this is designed to be a personal navigation system, with more focus on pedestrian use. The built in compass and accelerometer work together to keep the map facing in the correct direction. The camera has been increased from 2 mp to 3.2 and it now supports mobile broadband data speeds (HSDPA) for faster searches and map downloads.
	Nokia 6220 Classic The 6220 classic is essentially a non N-Series version of the Nokia N82 having the same 5 Megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens and xenon flash. Support for Micro SDHC Memory cards up to 8GB is also included.

All of these handsets will ship with Nokia Maps pre-installed. Nokia Maps 2.0 is an upgrade over the current Maps application, offering improved usability, as well as faster satellite locks and enhanced local searching. For more information on Nokia Maps, check out our Nokia Maps 2.0 review.

Martin Fields Screen Protector The last thing you’ll want to do to your new phone is scratch the screen. Not only does it look bad, but can spoil your enjoyment while watching back your photo’s and movies. Martin Fields Screen Protectors provide exceptionally clear protection that helps prevent impact damage from keys, coins & pens.

Martin Fields Screen Protector

Jawbone 2 Bluetooth Headset If you have used Bluetooth Headsets in the past, I’m sure you will have experienced times where people can’t hear a word you’re saying because of what’s going on around you, whether you’re in a Pub or Club, cruising down the motorway or in a noisy environment at work. Jawbone Bluetooth headsets incorporate the latest technology in noise cancellation meaning you’ll be heard no matter what is going on around you.

Jawbone 2 Bluetooth Headset

Genuine Nokia In-Car Charger DC-4 One of the Nokia N82′s best features is with out a doubt the in-built GPS receiver, with the Genuine Nokia In-Car Charger you can be sure you’ll get from A-Z with no risk of getting lost when the battery runs out.

Genuine Nokia In-Car Charger DC-4

Genuine Nokia Easy Mount Holder HH-12U Navigating your way around town is really simple with the Nokia N82′s GPS, but only if you can see the phone! The HH-12U is the best way of mounting the phone in a clear visible way. The suction fitting to your windscreen makes it easy to remove, and can be fitted in minutes.

Genuine Nokia Easy Mount Holder HH-12U

Sandisk 8GB Micro SDHC Memory Card Increase the storage capacity up to 8GB and you can leave your I-pod at home. An 8GB memory card will let you store up to 2000 Songs or 3500 Photo’s so you can be confident you can take as many photo’s as you want with little risk of running out of space!

Sandisk 8GB Micro SDHC Memory Card

Parrot MK6100 Car Kit The Nokia N82 is a full Multimedia Handset, so make the most of it with the Parrot MK6100 Bluetooth Car kit. Not only does it give you high quality sound during calls, but this clever bit of kit allows you to stream music through bluetooth to your car stereo. No need to listen to the same CD over and over and no more hassle of cables getting tangled around the gear stick. Just start the car and press play on the MK6100 – you don’t even have to touch your phone!

Parrot MK6100 Car Kit

Boombasstic Bluetooth Speaker System With all your music on your phone, you can have a party wherever and whenever you want. These speakers from Boombasstic are great for getting the party started. You don’t need any cables or adapters for your phone, just stream your music via bluetooth from your phone to the speakers and turn up the volume!

Boombasstic Bluetooth Speaker System

Nokia N82 Krussel Premium Leather Case The Nokia N82 is a stylish phone, so it needs a stylish case to go with it. The range of Krusell Leather cases are extremely stylish and practical. They have a range of connectors available too so you can mount it on your belt, in the car or even on your bike, without having to remove it from its case.

Nokia N82 Krussel Premium Leather Case

Nokia Bluetooth Stereo Headset BH-501 The Nokia BH-501 Stereo Headset is a great way of enjoying your music while out jogging, cycling or just sitting relaxing at home, without disturbing those around you. They give you full control of your music without having to touch the phone.

Nokia Bluetooth Stereo Headset BH-501

Venturi Bluetooth Simple Car kit For those that don’t want a fully fitted car kit, or that share cars this 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 through your car stereo by simply plugging into your cars cigarette lighter socket. 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 Bluetooth Simple Car kit