Five iPhone Accessories That Still Keep Us Waiting

[Michael Essany]

This week in the Washington Post, a Tech Crunch piece by Greg Kumparak was highlighted that reminds us of just how much the iPhone has left us hanging - at least in terms of five iPhone accessories many of us are still waiting for.

Partly for the sake of inspiring would be hardware-makers and partly because we just like to think about this sort of stuff, we’ve come up with a list of five iPhone accessories we’re not-so-patiently waiting for.

Although we could easily supplement this list with additional would-be accessories, for now, this is a good start.

A Detachable Physical Keyboard

I know, I know... the iPhone isn't supposed to have a physical keyboard. But with the BlackBerry and Droid renewing the mobile consumer's love affair with a keyboard, a detachable physical keyboard should have been added to our accessory menu a long time ago.

It’s almost ridiculous that this one hasn’t been made yet – and that even when it is, support will likely be so limited that it’ll suck something fierce.

Gamepad

Mobile gaming could ultimately provide Apple an opportunity to trounce other mobile gaming specialists. But the iPhone is going to need a gamepad to get over the hump and capture ripe opportunities.

The iPhone platform has already proven itself to be an incredible stage for on-the-go gaming. Graphics? Check. Tons (and tons and tons) of games? Check! Awesome controls? Che .. er, wait, nope.

Universal Remote

The universal remote should not even be a term that remains in our collective vernacular. Yet, sadly, it does. And although Apple would only have to imbue the iPod Touch with an RF/IR transmitter, don't hold your breath for that development any time soon.

Apple’s not about to do that – but in the mean time, a third party could get the ball rolling. Build a transmitter into a dongle or a case, throw together a user-customizable remote application for sharing control layouts and codes, and bam! You’ve got a remote for every controllable device in the world, in your pocket at all times.

Dog Training Tools

Although I could argue for even more useful accessories than this particular gripe lobbies for, the need for improved dog training tools is real and should be addressed in some fashion.

Let an RF transmitter communicate with whatever training tools might be in place (such as a citronella spray collar, for example), but slap in a high frequency loudspeaker to emulate a dog whistle whenever the collars are back at home.

pinCredit Card Payments

This is another no brainer. Although, as the article points out, mobile payments are by no means as popular in the US as they are in other countries, the iPhone should have been tweaked by now to address what will certainly develop into a universal commonality.

American Express or Mastercard could make a case (or a dongle) that has an RFID built in, just like your credit card – but with the benefit of software tie-ins, the RFID could be erased/locked on the fly. Just swiping the case wouldn’t work – but once you’ve hopped into the Pay app and punched in your pin, your case acts as a credit card for 30 seconds.

Of course, we could go on and on about what else we want from our iPhone. But you've got to start somewhere. Would your top five wish-list differ much from the above?

Image via Tech Crunch

[mikerlx]

First, I agree with those must haves, but I love my iphone AS-IS.

[chstriker11]

dog training tools? talk about a limited market. does the droid do that too? why waste your time with that?

[KiZZ]

I would LOVE to have a universal remote app! I would pay $$$ for a dongle or a case, or whatever, to make it work.

[hollow0]

I like the universal remote because my old HP PDA had that and it was awesome! As for a physical keyboard..pfft you have an iPhone and you still need a physical keyboard then you shouldn't even be using an iPhone. LOL it's time to get past that. I wonder if other companies shoot down the iPhone for not having a physical keyboard because they can't make a better virtual keyboard like apple. Hmm? It's a possibility you never know! The iPhone to me has the best virtual keyboard thus far..all others i've tested just don't measure up. But oh well i guess it's user preference.

[markass321]

Are there really still iPhone owners that want a physical keyboard? I will never want another cell phone that has one.

[BSmith]

I think the problem is the Droid is marginally thicker and has a slide out keyboard. You aren't really giving any real estate up to have it, and at times it would be nice.

[twitchthecat]

I'll bet that if Apple wanted to create an iPhone with a physical keyboard (with game pad), they could do so stylishly and without compromising the iPhone's general simplicity. There was a time when I thought having a physical keyboard was a must have... some people still feel that way.

The best thing about the iPhone is the change it has brought to the cellphone market, now really the smartphone market... we consumers are getting better and better stuff everyday. I'll bet the next iPhone is going to be ridiculously sick.

[mikerlx]

I think if the iphone 3GS was in the form of the Droid(3.7 screen, thin, slide out keyboard and same touchscreen capability we know and love, then I am sure it would have been a hit.

[JonFolse]

first, i agree with those must haves, but i love my iphone as-is.

amen

[Josheesh]

The remote is a great idea... I posted my idea in the iBluetooth fourms about making a Playstation 3 BluRay remote / keyboard since it uses bluetooth. Don't think anyone has run with it yet

[hollow0]

I wouldn't want the iPhone becoming a gaming device though..it's a phone damn it! lol Let's not forget about that. I just can't wait to see what Apple comes out with next year to meet the demands of what competitors are emphasizing on. Multitasking (which iPhone does multitask but in a different manner, mostly default iPhone apps) and Widgets. Next Customizations..c'mon we've gotta be able to change our wallpaper lol. lock screen is one thing but that black background really gets old. Apple always shows up when competitors get rowdy and attack. FW 4.0 will have to be completely different to meet those demands...this probably wasn't even the right forum to write all of this but..felt like talking about what i wanted in the iPhone..besides keyboards and gaming.. and dog training tools lol. WTF? Don't they have apps for that?

[billchase2]

I'm not really "waiting" on any of these. The iPhone by itself does everything I need it to do. No need for additional accessories to carry around with me.

[jeepfreak1983]

I wouldn't want the iPhone becoming a gaming device though..it's a phone damn it! lol Let's not forget about that. I just can't wait to see what Apple comes out with next year to meet the demands of what competitors are emphasizing on. Multitasking (which iPhone does multitask but in a different manner, mostly default iPhone apps) and Widgets. Next Customizations..c'mon we've gotta be able to change our wallpaper lol. lock screen is one thing but that black background really gets old. Apple always shows up when competitors get rowdy and attack. FW 4.0 will have to be completely different to meet those demands...this probably wasn't even the right forum to write all of this but..felt like talking about what i wanted in the iPhone..besides keyboards and gaming.. and dog training tools lol. WTF? Don't they have apps for that?

Bro that's what the jailbreak is for and makes it so great

[cmwade77]

O.k, I have to disagree with the article, several of these are currently available, or will be soon:

Keyboard (Available Now):
iPhone Keyboard - iTwinge

Game Controller is on it's way (Available soon):
22Moo - GameBone Pro : iPhone 3.0 Game Controller + Battery Pack with 30-pin cable or Bluetooth connectivity

Universal Remote (Available now):
There are various Apps available on the App store that use a device that connects to your wifi network and will send out IR signals and make the iPhone a universal remote, take a look at:
Bobby Universal Remote
iMasterControl
RedEye (The App is free, but you still need the device of course)
iRedTouch

They all have instructions on how to get such a device as well.

[nighthawk283]

They all sounds like stuff to have a better experince with the ipod/ipod touch

[bettyjordi]

It's been said enough - not waiting for they keyboard or anything else, but I think the universal remote would be killer!

[zozodouce]

i dont need all that garbage with my iphone,i love my jailbreak iphone just the way it is.A Detachable Physical Keyboard hahahha who needs that,my touch keyboard is the best and get use to it people.apple is not going to put a A Detachable Physical Keyboard on the phone.never,never,nerver and if they do that my 3gs will be my last iphone.

[jayson9]

I would be happy for just getting the speed and reliability that Apple & AT&T promised with the original iPhone (without all of the every year hardware upgrade purchases and two year contract extensions)!

All of these add ons are worthless to me if the phone and service doesn't perform as advertised!(

[ty22]

I don't understand why the hell anyone would want a physical keyboard they are bulky, limited and complicated. The touch keyboards are customizable and easier to access things on. Learn how to use the new technologies or don't buy them! (Those technologies, of course)