At the Pure Mobile blog, we're pretty fond of carrying cases and skins. Let's face it, they're something we use day in and day out. But today's Mobile accessory of the week is one of the unsung heroes of the cell phone accessory world. Yes, we're talking about chargers, and about PureGear's latest iPhone 5 Car Charger.

High tech cases are great and all. But if you've ever run out of battery on your iPhone, you'll know why chargers really hold the power in the grand scheme of things. Not much you can do witha dead phone huh?

But that's something you won't have to worry about too often with this new iPhone 5 charger. Since it's a car charger, you can power up while you're on the go. Just sit back, hook up your device, turn on the radio, and go. You'll be set when you reach your destination.

That alone isn't enough to make this charger our Accessory of the Week. But did we mention that PureGear's also built this charger kit with an extra USB port?

PureGear iPhone 5 Car Charger with Extra USB

Yep, it's a simple addition to a pretty standard product, but it makes all the difference, since you'll be able to power up your iPhone as well as your iPad, iPod – or any other device that charges via USB connection – simultaneously.

Oh, and PureGear's patented circuit board is especially designed to protect your gadgets from short circuits.

Your iPhone, iPad and iPod aren't much more than lumps of plastic, glass and metal if they're not charged. And this iPhone 5 car charger with extra USB from PureGear will help you make sure it never comes to that. May not sound as exciting as a new camera lens for your iPhone or a sexy new carrying case, but every bit as important, if not way more so.

You may not have the celebrity status to warrant your own bodyguard. But your phone sure deserves its own faithful, round-the-clock protection. And with Bodyguardz, that's what it gets. So if you're looking for the best screen protectors for iPhone, iPad, Android phones and more, look no further.

With its motto of "clearly tough," Bodyguardz boasts a large and widely varied line of high-quality, custom-cut screen protectors for nearly every need.

Always super durable and crystal clear, Bodyguardz screen protectors come in models suited to different purposes, ranging from anti-glare, anti-fingerprint, privacy, and classic clear.

Bodyguardz PureGlass Screen Protector for iPhone 5

And if your looking for a full-coverage option, their Ultra-Tough Clear Skins provide coverage for the entire surface of your device. To boot, they've also been coated with an anti-microbial solution, so your phone stays nice and clean.

Always easy to apply, you won't have to worry about bubbles with Bodyguardz screen protectors. You can put them on your phone in just a minute or two and apply them with or without a gel. And should you ever need to replace them, they won't leave your phone all gummed up with residue.

BodyGuardz HD Anti Glare ScreenGuardz Screen Protector for iPad 3

As you'd expect from the maker of some of the best screen protectors out there, Bodyguardz has a pretty extensive list of devices they design for, from Phone 5 or iPad, to BlackBerry and Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy S3. And becuse each is custom cut for the device, these screen protectors always match up perfectly.

It seems Bodyguardz screen protectors have got it covered from every angle – they're barely visible, extra durable and affordable,l keeping your favorite device scratch free, clean and easy to use. And that makes them our mobile accessory of the week.

Sometimes you can find earth-shattering new technology on Kickstarter, gadgets so revolutionary, they change the way we think about tech. Other times, it's just a case a of a good, simple idea that fills a need. Definitely not a work of genius, the FlipGrip, a new multi-function iPhone carrying case falls into the latter category.

That's not to say that this iPhone accessory isn't a worthwhile Kickstarter project. Sure, there are already plenty of iPhone cases and skins out there. But the FlipGrip does have a simple yet practical twist that'll let you keep a handle on your phone – literally.

Its design centers around a unique, multi-function handle that acts as both a grip and multi-position stand. Why should you need a handle for your phone, you might ask? Well, you may have already found yourself in the same position that led the FlipGrip's creator to make the case in the first place:

"FlipGrip was born out of the necessity to get a better "GRIP" on my smartphone. One day while lying in bed reading the news, the idea hit me!"

And so the FlipGrip was created, a protective plastic iPhone carrying case with a handle that doubles as a stand but which can snap shut to rest flush with the case when it's not in use.

See what we mean about simple and practical ideas being worth their while? And though the current FlipGrip prototype is a model for iPhone 4/4S, models for other iOS devices, like iPhone 5 and iPad carrying cases, are on their way.

On top of that, FlipGrip says theu'll be applying the same concept to cases for "other popular devices from Samsung, Google, Amazon and Microsoft in early 2013."

Sure, the FlipGrip is hardly revolutionary in terms of iPhone accessories. But sometimes it's less important whether you're doing something someone else has done before, as long as you're doing it better.

In our mobile accessory of the week feature, we often review practical and handy accessories that simplify your daily life. But this week, we've left the grown-up world behind to focus instead on a fun new gadget that'll make you feel like a kid again, with a spotlight on Griffin's Moto TC Monster Truck.

It doesn't matter whether you're 5 or 55, this remote controlled truck is pretty hard to resist. And it'll probably be the coolest piece of tech to hit your life since the iPhone, iPad or iPod you use to control it. Just imagine ripping down the office hallway with this thing or tearing up the living room, and you'll get the picture.

Griffin's Moto TC Monster Truck for iPhone, iPad and iPod

Basically, this awesome little gadget works by using your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch as a remote, via a free app that lets you "wreak havoc," from your touchscreen.

Definitely not the remote-controlled car of your childhood, the controls for this baby are pretty sweet: You can maneuver by touch, using a virtual steering wheel, or by motion, when you tilt your device to steer. Or, slide your fingers across your display to direct the truck.

You can even pre-program routes, like figure-eights and track loops or "record your own trail of destruction and relive the madness."

As for specs, this is one truck that's designed to go anywhere. It's got a high-clearance chassis with knobby tires and four-wheel independent suspension. And you don't have to worry about batteries, since it's powered by an internal rechargeable NiMH battery pack.

Sure, it may not be a total necessity for your responsible, adult life. But this awesome little truck is one of the most fun and coolest accessories for iPhone (or any other device for that matter) that you can find. As its maker Griffin aptly notes: "Anyone can fling birds at pigs. But do you have what it takes to tame the Moto TC Monster?"

Whether you're the next great director or just an avid home videographer, a new iPad accessory will make your movie making a lot easier without the need for pro equipment. With a recently launched Kickstarter campaign, iOgrapher is a combination iPad carrying case and mount that turns your iPad mini into a sort of pro video camera.

Branded as the "first all purpose film making case for the iPad Mini," the iOgrapher is a tough, high-grade plastic case for iPad mini equipped with side handles for smooth video recording.

Like most good inventions, this ingenious iPad accessory was designed as a rel-world solution to an everyday problem faced by the inventor. As a high school media-arts teacher, iOgrapher creator Dave Basulto found there was room for improvement in the shaky videos his students shot on iPad.

The problem wasn't really about the device itself. As Mashable notes, with its 1080p video recording quality th iPad mini is a pretty good video tool and could "serve students well as a shooting, editing and even a distribution device."

But getting a stable hand is tricky with the iPad mini, so Basulto went to work on a mount-style case that could capitalize on the iPad's video capabilities.

The iOgrapher is designed so that you can mount it on a tripod, monopod, or portable dolly for even more professional looking video. It can be fitted with different, separately sold lenses, like fisheye, wide angle, macro, and close-up.

And, if you want cinematic sound quality, this iPad carrying case with handles also sports three accessories "shoes" at the top for attaching lightning audio gear.

The concept is so well thought out and has such useful application that Basulto's already started working on prototypes for other Apple devices as well. He's also got video-centric accessories for iPhone 4S, iPhone 5 and iPad 2 in the works.

But, with the iPad mini's easy portability and ideal preview-sized screen, we're hedging our bets that the original model of this nifty new iPad carrying case will be most would-be directors' top choice.

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Whether it's for environmental or economic reasons, monitoring fuel consumption has never been of greater concern for drivers. And Dash, a new iPhone, iPad and iPod car accessory, will help you keep on top of things. As gas prices and carbon emission levels continue to rise, this iOS accessory tracks your fuel use as well as a slew of other things, so you can drive cheaper, greener, and more efficiently.

A low-energy Bluetooth device, Dash plugs directly into your car's On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD) and transmits data to your iPhone or any other Apple device. (All cars made after 1995 are equipped with an OBD port.)

It then tracks and analyses the data through the Dash app. From there, you can publish your data to a drivewithdash.com account, to better monitor your driving data and share with others.

According to Dash, this community aspect: "makes it easy to see your fuel usage over time, log overall miles, or determine the most economic way to drive to work. You can even compare your driving style or vehicle with other users to help improve your savings."

And the online Dash community even makes it easy for you to arrange splitting on gas with other users. The result is a better understanding of your fuel consumption as well as solutions on how to improve it.

but aside from gas use, this nifty iPhone accessory for your car can help you detect maintenance issues, "even before your check engine light comes on." Again, the Dash community can provide you with quick tips for troubleshooting from other users who have experienced similar problems.

And, if you've got an iPhone car mount, Dash's DashCam feature will even let you "record a video with trip and engine details overlaid on top." Sharing videos on YouTube or social media is a snap too, as Dash has Facebook and Twitter integration.

We've never quite seen an iPhone, iPad or iPod car accessory quite like this yet. And the entire concept, from the low-energy car-powered Bluetooth device, to the social aspect and video feature, is pretty exciting. But more importantly, Dash may just be the first iPhone accessory that can both help you save money and become a greener driver.

Even for Apple devotees who have nothing but praise for their iPhones, battery life is a common concern. But if the above image is something you never want to see on your iPhone again, there are ways to go about it. Plenty of iPhone accessories are designed specifically to help you extend battery life, so you can banich the red low battery symbol from your life forever.

For everyday use, an iPhone external battery case is probably your best bet. With an extra battery built right in, accessories like Incipio's offGRID line of cases combine the protection of a carrying case with a life-saving back-up battery.

Incipio offGRID Battery Case for iPhone 4 and 4S in Black

With models for both iPhone 4S and iPhone 5, the OffGRID Battery Case will double your talk, text, viewing and game time, all in a sleek and compact package that adds surprisingly little extra bulk to your phone. The offGRID for iPhone 5 even features LED lights to let you keep track of battery life.

Incipio offGRID Battery Case for iPhone 5 in White

But for longer jaunts, say, a week-long camping trip or a vacation abroad, you're probably going to need more than just double the usual battery life. And Dexim's BluePack S8 external battery will give you an additional 11 hours of talk, 21 hours of gaming or video viewing or 92 hours of music.

Dexim BluePack S8 Enhanced Battery for All Devices

Actually compatible with most other phones and devices too, Dexim's is one of the best iPhone battery extenders out there in that it can also be used to power up your iPad and iPod and features LED indicators to let you know how much juice you've got left. Oh, and it's also got a nifty little flashlight built in, so it really is a great iPhone accessory for travelers.

So, between backup battery packs and external battery cases, there's no reason you should have to worry about that horrible red battery image ever again. Because, whether it's just a typical workday, or a long trip abroad, there's an iPhone accessory that's got your battery life covered.

Moshi Vortex Premium Stereo Earbud with Mic

We're turning up the bass with today's accessory of the week. That's because Moshi's Vortex Premium In-Ear Headphones are designed to deliver fast articulate bass without any distortion. Most of us know Moshi for their high-quality carrying cases, bags, chargers, and other iPhone accessories. But these awesome little earbuds prove the company's just as good with audio.

Compatible with Android devices like Samsung's Galaxy line, BlackBerry handsets and Apple products, like iPhone, iPod and iPad, these earbud-style headphones for iPhone and more are ideal for listening via mobile phone. With an integrated mic, you can easily take or end calls without unplugging your headphones.

And taking this smartphone compatibility even further, Moshi's even developed an iOS app  that'll speed up what's called the "burn-in" process. Never heard of it? Here's a quick rundown from Moshi:

"Like breaking in a new pair of leather shoes, high-quality headphones perform better once they've been used over time. This process can take several weeks or even months [...] By playing back a curated list of tones/frequencies, the Moshi Audio Burn-In Tool allows the headphone diaphragms to relax and reach their optimal level of sonic performance."

All that basically means that your headphones will reach optimal performance level much quicker.

As for the actual sound clarity, a lot has gone into the Vortex Premium Headphones. Moshi promises that the high-definition HR8 neodymium drivers housed in the headphones' steel alloy construction "vastly improves low frequency extension, but also renders silky smooth highs." So you'll get clean bass and smooth treble.

That's a whole lot of features from such a small accessory, and there's a lot more that the length of this review can't cover. But if you want details, Moshi's got a lot of in-depth information available on their website.

But, as a quick recap, these Android, BlackBerry and iPhone compatible headphones from Moshi make the grade for us because they're the total package: Slick-looking and durable steel alloy design, convenient omnidirectional mic, high-quality sound that's clear and undistorted, a nice protective carrying case, and a reasonable pricepoint.

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For successful professionals and diligent students, it's important to look the part. And nothing says sleek and organized like an orderly folio carrying case for your iPad mini. Here, we're running through our 5 of our favorites, with some of the best iPad carrying cases from leading accessories makers like iLuv, Griffin, Incase and Moshi.

Read on for our tops picks, from relaxed campus style to top-notch boardroom sophistication:

1. iLuv CEO Folio Case

iLuv CEO Folio Case for iPad Mini in Black

With the CEO case, professional get the protection they wat for their iPad mini, as well as everything else they need right at their fingertips. Card slots let this carrying case double as a wallet, and handy organizers, like a stylus pen holder, keep everything in its place.

It's also got a bult-in stand for propping up your iPad mini for easy viewing of documents, presentations and more.

2. Incase Nylon Folio Case

Incase Nylon Folio Case for iPad mini in Black

Simple and streamlined, Incase's Nylon Folio Case for iPad mini keeps you organized without all the clutter.

With three slip pockets for documents and more, and an internal divider that protects the screen, its folio design zips shut, protecting all sides of your iPad mini while traveling.

3. Griffin Varsity Passport

Griffin Varsity Passport for iPad mini in Blue

With bit more of a college vibe, the aptly-named Varsity Passport from Griffin is a carrying case for iPad Mini with a durable exterior and soft microsuede inner lining.

Protected from all angles, you iPad is secured in place with elastic fasteners at the corners. Meanwhile, thoughtful details, like a strategically placed camera hole, make for an over all careful and well-executed design.

 4. Griffin Slim Folio Case

Griffin Slim Folio Case for iPad mini in Black

Everything you need from a folio, and nothing you don't Griffin's Sim Folio carrying case for iPad mini has an ultra-thin yet durable design, with a leather-look polyurethane finish.

It allows you to fully access all ports and controls while still offering the full coverage protection of a folio. What's more, it can fold into a landscape-oriented stand for east typing and viewing.

5. Moshi Concerti Case

Moshi Concerti Case for iPad mini in Gray

Classy as its name suggests, Moshi's Concerti folio case for iPad mini provides superior shock and scratch protection, thanks to its hybrid silicone and icrofiber inner layer.

it's a simple and streamlined folio case that secures shut with an elastic fastener for overall protection. And it easily converts into a multiposition stand that allows viewing from multiple angles. Finally, the Concerti Case's cover features a built-in magnet assembly that makes it easy to use your iPad's auto wake/sleep function.

When it come to taking care of business folio style carrying cases for iPad are hard to beat. They look professional because they genuinely help you keep everything in order. And meanwhile, they give you full device protection while still allowing for quick an easy access. It's that simple.

There's at least one upside to being the passenger in someone else's car – you don't have to keep your eyes on the road. But if watching video with your iPad in you lap already sounds like a sweet deal, just how much better it could be with Griffin's Cinema Seat case for iPad mini.

As its name suggests, this iPad case is specifically designed for a more cinematic viewing experience. With a wide adjustable strap that can be routed around a car seat headrest, the Cinema Seat in car mount lets you perfectly position your iPad mini for the best backseat viewing.

Griffin Cinema Seat Case for iPad Mini in Black

And if your chauffeur doesn't appreciate the film score or your video game sound effects, that's alright. Because, even when it's mounted, this smartly designed iPad accessory still allows full access to the headphone jack, as well as to other ports and controls.

Of course, it's the perfect iPad accessory for long car rides, but the rear strap is great for hand-held video watching too, whether you're commuting by public transportation, or just lying around the house.

But aside from being a great gadget for video junkies, the Cinema Seat is of course a Griffin product. And that means you can bet it'll be up to the standards of some of their other, top-rated carrying cases, like the Survivor and Protector.

There are lots of Apple car accessories out there, but none quite so suited to cinematic tastes as the Cinema Seat headrest mount. And any iPad mini user who who loves watching video on their tablet would gladly trade shotgun for one of these any day.

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