iPhone AV Accessories A Go-Go

The most pervasive peripheral is certainly the bluetooth hands-free system. For anyone even moderately interested in looking like a part of the Borg, this is a must. For businessmen who don’t know what the Borg is but insist on having their hands free so they can gesture wildly to people who can’t see them because it’s a phone conversation, not a video conference, it is also a must. If you love to jam things in your ears, look no further.

Microphone Adapters

Far less popular, but just as practical in many ways, is the lavalier microphone adapter. This little doohicky plugs into the audio jack of your phone and transforms it into a near-studio-quality audio recording gizmo (with the help of a lavalier microphone, not included). If you plan to hit the road and do some interviews, you couldn’t find a finer tiny thingamabob. The science behind it is simple: microphones come in many different impedances, and this little guy can handle practically all of them. Grab this little fella and your clip-on mic and hit the road, you wily documentarian! Oh, one caveat: If your mic is the sort that uses batteries, then you need this iPhone 1/8 inch microphone adapter instead.

Camera Lenses

Another oft overlooked attachment is the add-on lens for the iPhone. If you need a wide-angle shot, for instance, there’s precious little you can do without a little outside assistance. Or what if you want to focus on something very far away? I’m here to tell you, there’s only so much a digital zoom can do. But get yourself this little iPhone Telescopic 8X Lens and Tripod Kit, and you’ll be accidentally violating peeping-tom laws in no time.

What if you also want to see very small things as well? But also occasionally very far away things? And once in a while, you’d like to see things kind of distorted and stretched at the edges? Who doesn’t?! Try this iPhone 4-in-1 Camera Lens Kit on for size. It comes with a 8X Black Telephoto Lens, Fish Eye Lens, Wide Angle Lens, Micro Lens, Tripod and Hard Case.

AV Cable

Ok, you’ve shot your video using a fancy external lens. You’ve recorded your audio with a fancy external mic. Now are you going to watch it on the tiny little built-in screen? Not a chance. Use this iPhone/iPod AV cable to connect your iPhone to a huge TV. It’s actually translating the signal to regular RCA, so you could technically attach it to a projector and get huge. Or, if you have access to a Jumbotron, you could use that (which would be awesome). And, as an added bonus, it comes with a USB attachment as well, so you can charge your phone while you view. Nifty!

To my knowledge, they have yet to come up with an attachment that does your laundry, but you know that glorious day is coming. And no, it can’t walk the dog for you. Yet. But do you think the Incan astronauts walked their own dogs? I don’t think so. It’s just a matter of time, really, ‘till we figure out how they got their phones to do it.

I know there are other great add-ons out there that I’ve missed. Refresh my memory! Comment below!