Accessories

How the iPhone Can Help Detect a Cataract

Geniuses at MIT have come up with a relatively cheap way of detecting cataracts in the human eye by using an iPhone and a clever attachment.

The CATRA system is a hardware device that attaches to an iPhone (and presumably other devices). The CATRA then uses the screen output to detect cataracts.

While we're sure that the underlying technology is much more complicated than that initial explanation, we're sure you get the gist...

The AppBlaster: Taking iPhone Gaming Accessories to the Next Level

Though we've seen quite a few gaming accessories hit the iOS scene, we've never come across anything like this. The appBlaster has to be one of the most innovative gaming add-ons that's ever made it to market.

Although it may look like a souped-up Duck Hunt Zapper, the appBlaster utilizes cutting-edge technology. The accessory uses the iPhone's camera and accelerometer to create an immersive first-person shooter. And the result, I must say, is awesome...

iHit, an iPhone Case for Stoners

Here is a case that our pot-smoking readers might enjoy. It's called the iHit, and it started as a KickStarter project but it got quickly suspended by KickStarter due to the intended use of the product. The guys behind it are now looking for funding on their own.

Even though the video below can be a bit misleading, we all know what the purpose of the iHit is. Store some weed and your one-hitter in there for easy access, anywhere, anytime...

Mount Pro Lenses to Your iPhone with this SLR Adapter

MacRumors came across an interesting accessory for all of you iPhone-toting photographers. Have you ever wanted your iPhone to be capable of shooting long-distance photos? Well, now it can with this new SLR adapter.

An SLR adapter is a custom case with a lens-mounting ring. It allows you to attach your SLR (Single Lens Reflex) lenses to your iPhone, which is an absolute must-have for any budding photographer. Or is it?

Jailbreak App iMAME4All Adds iCade Support

Remember when we told you about the iCade? The retro iPad accessory lets you play select iOS games via a set of arcade-style controls, and its SDK just became available for 3rd party development. It looks like the jailbreak community struck first.

Engadget is reporting that the popular Cydia app known as iMAME4All was just updated to support the new tablet accessory. iMAME4All is an emulator that plays hundreds of retro titles, so needless to say it would be an awesome fit for the iCade...

iDJ Live: Give Your iDevice Some Real 1s and 2s

The sharp and responsive screen found on Apple's iDevices make them a hotbed for DJ applications. Since the App Store's inception, we've seen several DJ'ing applications that try and capture the addicting music-mixing art.

One of our all time favorites is djay by algoriddim. Its easy to use interface and unique AUTOMIX feature make for a solid DJ app. Obviously, touchscreens have limitations that make it difficult to do any serious record spinning, but iDJ Live might have a solution for us..

SlickWraps Protects your iPad From Everything, Even Firecrackers

In honor of the 4th of July, we figured it was appropriate to show off this promo video by SlickWraps. The iPad wrap manufacturers have gone through unusual lengths to show off their products before, but this one takes the cake.

TUAW's Erica Sadun passes on this viral clip of a wild demonstration of SlickWraps' durability. I'll give you a hint, it involves an iPad, a SlickWrap and a bunch of explosions...

Pic3D Sheet: Glasses-Free 3D Accessory for the iPhone

3D technology continues to be a hot tech topic. Between Nintendo launching the 3DS and HTC launching multiple 3D Android devices, it's safe to say that the technology is going to stick around the mobile arena for a while.

Even iDevices are getting the 3D treatment, and they don't even house any 3D-specific hardware. While we've already seen head-tracking technology used to simulate 3-dimensional graphics on the iPhone, this new entry doesn't require a front-facing camera. Enter Pic3D...

iCade SDK Now Available to 3rd Party Developers

Here at iDB, we are huge fans of homegrown, iDevice-related products. We've featured all kinds of crazy inventions from an invisible instrument to a remote control helicopter.

Unlike the aforementioned products, the iCADE wasn't a Kickstarter project. In fact, it originally started out on ThinkGeek's website as an April Fool's prank. Well, obviously the iCADE materialized and the $99 accessory just opened up it's doors for 3rd party development...

The Infinite Loop iPhone & iPad Stand – Kickstarter Genius

Here at iDB, we love a good Kickstarter project. Created so independent designers and inventors can get the funding needed to progress, Kickstarter has been home to numerous much-loved tech in the past.

The latest iDevice to receive the Kickstarter treatment is a smartphone and tablet stand, dubbed "The Infinite Loop."

Yeah, we loved the Mothership reference in there too.....

Pimping Out Your iPhone [Infographic]

Have you ever wondered how much money people spend on their iPhones? The folks at Geekaphone have prepared an infographic called "Pimp Your iPhone," and now you can see figures on how much cash people drop on their precious handsets.

A staggering $497 million was spent on iPhone accessories in the last 9 months alone. The average price of a paid app is $1.25.

Check out the full infographic after the break...

The $300 Titanium iPhone Case

Using a Bumper is so 2010! If you want to really protect your iPhone - and if you have an extra $300 to spare - this new titanium iPhone case might be perfect for you.

"Machined from a single piece of titanium, the premium case provides immense strength and a sleek, handcrafted look. Titanium, most often used in aircraft engines and luxury automobiles, adds high-power durability. A laser etched logo detailing completes the modern style."Â