iPhone Accessories

PayPal is taking a new step into the smartphone arena with an iPhone accessory designed to accept payments anywhere there's a data connection. When we first wrote up competitor Square in 2009, the concept of a small device that plugs into the headphone jack and accepts credit card data was a work in progress.

The latest entry into the market is dubbed PayPal Here, and moves PayPal's services even further into the offline, brick and mortar world of commerce. Not only does PayPal's device and software swipe credit cards, but merchants can process checks using the iPhone camera, track cash payments or send invoices out for later payment.

Withings has finally brought their popular Smart Baby Monitor to the U.S.. The smart sensor allows parents to communicate with their baby by speaking through their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. It also detects sound, movement, temperature, humidity levels, and is capable of switching on/off lullabies.

The Withings Smart Baby Monitor features a 3-megapixel camera with night vision, extra wide view lens and a 4X zoom. It can be controlled from anywhere using a Wi-Fi hotspot, Ethernet cable or even Bluetooth. The two way microphone allows parents to hear and speak to their baby from any room in the house. You can even set an alarm based on the baby's movement, audio levels or temperature in the room.

We've seen other iPhone alarms before, but the ZOMM Wireless Leash offers much more protection than the normal mobile phone safety net. The ZOMM leash not only keeps your iPhone safe, but it allows you to find the GPS coordinates of anything you snap a picture of, and it also functions as a Bluetooth speakerphone.

The Wireless leash vibrates, flashes or sounds an alarm whenever you separate 20-40 feet from your mobile phone. Combined with the free app, the ZOMM leash will give you directions to anything you tag like your car or favorite restaurant. It also allows you to share tagged items with your friends and works as a panic button. The speakerphone option notifies you of incoming calls and features a noise-canceling microphone for safe chatting while driving.

ThinkGeek has announced their newest retro wireless game controller for the iPhone or iPad. The 8-Bitty is an NES inspired eight button controller that works with all iCade games. It requires two AAA batteries and is small enough to fit in your pocket. The controller will be available later this year for $24.99 exclusively at ThinkGeek.

The 8-Bitty is also compatible with the Atari Classics collection and other retro gaming apps. Check out a list of compatible games below.

The the laser tag craze of the late 80s may have been brief, but it burned so very very brightly. Hasbro is on track to launch a whole new generation of Lazer Tag branded blasters featuring iPhone and iPod touch compatibility. They will work without the Apple add-on however the real fun begins after your favorite iOS device is docked.

Hasbro will release a free Lazer Tag app that uses augmented reality to provide a heads-up-display that delivers information during battle. Players can challenge their friends or compete against virtual opponents in single-player mode. Much like other solo games, levels can be mastered and difficulty increases as the player collects points and rewards.