AudioACTIVE will Give You a Nice Nudge in the Right Direction

At the beginning of every January, you can feel the energy of New Year resolutions at work. A new year, a new beginning, a new chance to finally quit, get into the habit of, or start something to hopefully change your life for the better.

I can't count how many times I've witnessed a ridiculous surge at the gym come January. And all of the department stores will conveniently have gym clothes, running shoes and workout equipment on sale. Clearly, getting into better shape seems to be a resolution that is shared amongst many people.

Personally, nothing eases the pains of visiting the gym or going for a run more than a good workout playlist. However, I've never been a fan of cables going all over the place or having to hold onto my MP3 player in my hand. I tried using an arm strap, but it wasn't for me and I still constantly struggled with keep cables away from flinging arms.

The AudioACTIVE Bluetooth Sports Headset by GOgroove is a great accessory to have for anyone with a workout routine, whether you're just starting out or are a gym veteran. These awesome and comfortable headphones connect to any device with Bluetooth capabilities, including mp3 players, smartphones, tablets, and laptops. During my morning workouts, I usually leave my iPhone in my locker during my workout.

What if I need to change a song? Not a problem, the AudioACTIVE has built-in controls to switch tracks, adjust volume, and play and pause music. What I also love is that if by some miracle there's another human being awake at 4:30 in the morning during my workout and they choose to call me, I can answer the phone call using the built-in microphone.

With a full charge, the AudioACTIVE can continuously play music for about six hours. Might be perfect for that 1/2 marathon that I may or may not run this April, depending if I can manage to run the whole thing, or end up walking after the first mile.

The AudioACTIVE will definitely give you a nice nudge in the right direction to being a healthier you in 2012.

Happy New Year! See you on the other side!

-Jinni

Keeping Your Sanity During Holiday Traveling

As I was getting ready for work this morning, the KTLA Morning News showed a live shot of the traffic going in and out of LAX airport. And I'm pretty sure I've never felt so relieved to not be catching a flight this holiday season. To give you an idea of what the airport looked like, picture a parking lot...with no cars leaving their parking space to make room for a new one.
If that's how many people were just trying to get into the airport, I can't imagine what a flight would be like today, or anytime during the next week. Last week I discussed some remedies for helping you survive being stuck in a car with people you love by default for entirely too long. So let's go over a few ideas for keeping your sanity while stuck in a plane full of crying babies and people's elbows invading your personal space.

Okay, maybe flying isn't as bad as I just made it seem. But it definitely won't be with these friendly flying tips!

First off, if you're heading to the airport anytime soon, make sure to give yourself a little cushion time and leave early. You never know if there will be a traffic jam, car trouble or anything else that might delay your arrival to the airport. And no, your plane will not wait for you if you're running a little late.

Once you've arrived, try to keep any essentials as carry-on. These include things that you will use during the flight, like your smartphone, mp3 player or tablet, as well as anything you will need in case your luggage is misplaced, like medication. Also, try to keep you the size of your carry-on to a minimum, as there will most likely be more people on your flight than normal and carry-on storage may be scarce.

If you're traveling with any wrapped gifts, make sure to pack them securely in luggage that will be checked-in. If you feel that you must carry a gift with you, don't wrap it. There's a chance that airport security will want to unwrap the items and inspect them. 

As far as flying comfortably, I believe that keeping yourself entertained is key. Make sure any electronics that you may use during the flight are fully charged and ready for use. If you're using a tablet and it's an especially long trip, I recommend investing in an external battery capable of charging your tablet, like a ReVIVE Series TwinPort, to provide you with a boost of battery life when you'll need it the most. The TwinPort will also charge any smartphone, mp3 player or eReader, in case you drain the battery on any of your other devices.

Hopefully this simple traveling tips will help you keep your sanity during the most wonderful (and stressful) time of the year!

Happy Holidays!

-Jinni

Keeping Your Sanity on Your Way to Holiday Gatherings

The time has come--The good ol' holidays. The time of year where families come together from all corners of the world to eat, drink and celebrate. As enjoyable as spending time with family can be (for the most part), every year I dread traveling to wherever it is the family has decided to reunite.

Driving is a horrible experience in general for me. If you live in Los Angeles or a busy city like it, you understand that getting from Point A to Point B can very easily become a long and stressful process. And the more people in the car with you, the worse the experience can be.

But no matter how much I dislike traveling, when it comes to the holidays and spending it with my family, it's a sacrifice that must be made.

To alleviate travel stress and discomfort, here are a few items from AccessoryGenie.com that may help you keep your sanity while on the big open road.

A GPS system, or at the very least a navigation app on your phone, is absolutely essential. To help with keeping your eyes on the road and not on your lap or anywhere else your GPS system may be, I recommend investing in some type of GPS car mount, like the Professional Series GPS Vent Mount, that will attach your GPS system or smartphone to an air vent, making it easy to follow directions and safely reach your destination.

If you're driving long distance, an FM transmitter like the FlexSMART X2 is definitely in your best interest. Because you'll be driving through several area codes, it's pretty safe to assume that your favorite radio stations won't be readily available when you're three hours away from home and still have another two hours to go. The X2 will wirelessly connect with your smartphone, mp3 player or even your tablet through Bluetooth, and with the push of a button will find the best station in the area to play your favorite music without interference from the local stations.

Speaking of tablets, they're amazing for entertainment, whether by yourself or with a group of obnoxiously loud kids in the very back seat. Either way, installing your tablet in a car mount, like the USA Gear TabGRAB, is the perfect solution for creating an entertainment system in any car, especially if you connect your tablet to the FlexSMART X2. You can easily and securely mount practically any tablet on a TabGRAB and use it to watch a movie or browse the web!

 Smartphones are also a great source of entertainment if you don't have a tablet. But the battery life is just so horrible that you might hesitate using it for recreational purposes and not saving the battery for the emergency roadside call you might have to eventually make. Not to worry. Your DualFlux DC Charger will keep your phone's battery nice and charged, and is capable of charging two smaller devices simultaneously, like a smartphone or MP3 player. In addition, the DualFlux is also capable of charging several tablets, including the iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab.

These and many other electronic accessories available at AccessoryGenie.com are sure to at least alleviate the pain of being stuck in a car for too many hours.

-Jinni

Smartphone Travel Tips for Alec Baldwin

Like Alec Baldwin, I'm a HUGE fan of Words With Friends. Unfortunately, you can't play that game on a plane as you have to be connected to a network. So what's the alternative to keeping yourself entertained on a 5-hour flight, since clearly you will be escorted of a plane for refusing to turn off your phone?

Why not try an app or game that you don't need a network connection to use?

On a recent flight to Las Vegas, I noticed that at least one person in every row was playing Angry Birds, either on their tablet or smartphone. And after asking around Accessory Genie headquarters to see what everyone's favorite games were, nearly everyone responded with Angry Birds first. This game is incredibly entertaining, and can make time fly by as you go through each level determined to continue onto the next.

Another application that is great for passing the time and can be used without a network connection is a Kindle App. Simply make sure that you've downloaded the book that you'd like to read and you're good to go!
I am personally a huge fan of good ol' fashion video games. I can easily spend hours playing Sudoku on my iPhone. Bubble Shooter and iJewels and are other favorites that I use frequently to pass the time, especially on long flights.

One huge problem with using your phone or tablet for entertainment is that it can quickly drain your it's battery life. A powerful external battery pack, like the TwinPort 5000mAh Portable External Battery Pack, is perfect for occasions when you don't have access to an AC or DC charging port.

Two USB ports allow you to charge two smartphones or MP3 players at the same time, and it's also capable of providing a charge to smaller tablets like the Amazon Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet, as well as the iPad and iPad 2.

For those of you who are always traveling and therefore using your smartphone or tablet's battery for entertainment, the TwinPort is the perfect accessory.

Also, make sure to take advantage of our FREE SHIPPING promotion this weekend at AccessoryGenie.com! Starting Saturday, Dec. 10 through Monday, Dec. 12, enjoy absolutely FREE SHIPPING on all your orders!

Just use the Promo Code 72SHIP at Checkout and enjoy!

-Jinni

Replacement Laptop Batteries to Keep Your Laptop Going

These are hard times, my friends. And anyone who tells you different is either lucky or blissfully ignorant. Nowadays, every dollar spent counts.

I remember a time when I could afford to buy a brand new laptop when my computer's battery died. I simply used it as an excuse to myself to upgrade. But that excuse is no longer valid. So when my laptop's battery died a couple of weeks ago, I momentarily went into panic mode because I simply could not afford to buy a new computer like I had done in the past.

After my dramatic episode, I realized that the solution was as easy as buying a replacement battery for my laptop. I knew it was going to cost me money, but nowhere near as much as it would have to replace my laptop all together.

I started out looking at the manufacturer's website for a replacement battery, but quickly discovered just how expensive a replacement laptop battery could be. Not willing to pay what I think was an absurd amount for a battery, I decided to look at the replacement laptop batteries we carry at AccessoryGenie.com.

Finding the right battery at a great price was easy, too. I just looked at the model number of my original laptop battery and did a search for it on the Accessory Genie homepage. Another easy way to look up your laptop battery is by clicking the "Batteries" link on the homepage, and then clicking "Laptop Batteries." On this page, you will be able to look up your laptop battery by the manufacturer of your laptop.

AccessoryGenie.com carries several batteries compatible with laptops by manufacturers including Toshiba, Dell, Sony, HP, Apple and more!

If you're in the market for a new battery for your laptop, or even your cell phone, camera, or camcorder, Accessory Genie is definitely a good place to start your search, especially if you're looking for quality and a decent price.

-Jinni

Black Friday Savings Minus Crazed Crowds

As I was getting ready for work this morning, I turned on the TV, occasionally glancing over when I heard anything interesting. Black Friday news is always rather entertaining and shocking simultaneously. So when I heard the news anchor talking about a store pretty close to the office, I looked over to see what the commotion was about.
A woman at a local WalMart was on such a mission to cross off all the stuff on her list that she decided to pepper spray anyone who dared to be in her way. Later at the office, I saw another video of a riot over a $2 waffle maker...

Really? Who on earth would want to go through that? To what limit will we go to save a few bucks? I personally prefer to stay home and do all of my Black Friday / Cyber Monday shopping from the comfort of my warm and comfy couch, with my sweats on and a nice cup of hot cocoa to sip.

This weekend, you too can shop from home and save a bundle, without getting pepper sprayed or trampled. If you've shopped with us before, you know all about our Reward Points. Basically, with every purchase you make at AccessoryGenie.com, you earn a certain amount of Reward Points, depending on which items you purchased. These points can in turn be used as credit on future AccessoryGenie.com purchases!

From today through 5:00 PM on Cyber Monday (11/28/2011), your Reward Points are worth double the amount! That means you can save twice the amount on many of our popular electronic accessories, including the GOgroove FlexSmart X2, AudiOHM earbuds, and the AudioACTIVE!

To check out how many Reward Points you have earned, visit AccessoryGenie.com and click the yellow "Accessory Genie Login" button at the top right. After you have filled out the correct email and password, your Reward Point will display at the top left of the home page!

Don't have an AccessoryGenie.com account? No problem! Click on the save "Accessory Genie Login" button on the homepage and fill out the short form to be on your way to AccessoryGenie.com savings!

In my opinion, shopping from home certainly beats dealing with cold weather, crazed crowds, and pepper spray any day.

-Jinni 

Staying Neutral - Our Lowdown on the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet

There was so much buzz around the Amazon Kindle Fire when it was first announced back in September that I even considered buying one for myself. I think that we at Accessory Genie may have noticed it more than others, especially when most products that were compatible with the Kindle Fire suddenly started flying off the shelves.

Regardless of the lack of news coming from Barnes & Noble, I always had a hunch that they weren't about to let the Kindle Fire take over the "e-reader gone tablet" scene. And low and behold, turns out Barnes & Noble had a little announcement of their own, telling the world of the new Nook Tablet a week before the Amazon Kindle Fire.

And so the competition began, or at least from what we, the public, saw. Barnes & Noble didn't stop there. The Nook Tablet just happened to be available to the public the same week as the Kindle Fire was sent out. Oh, and remember how the Kindle Fire was shipped a day ahead of schedule? Barnes & Noble decided that their customers would receive their Nook Tablets TWO days ahead of schedule.
With all of this evident competing, it's no wonder why almost every tech and news site out there is comparing either tablet to the other. And from what I've personally seen and heard, the competition is pretty close.

Both budget-friendly tablets are designed serve their purpose in the most simple and efficient way. Physically, neither tablet is especially different or particularly appealing; the Nook Tablet used the same design as the Nook Color, and the Kindle Fire just looks like the regular 7-inch Android tablet.

With such closeness in price, the only reason I can see to prefer one tablet over the other is whether you're an Amazon/Kindle person or a Nook person. Aside from being $50 cheaper than the Nook Tablet, the Kindle Fire is really designed around Prime. Prime is like the VIP of Amazon, costing members $79 a year and allowing them to enjoy unlimited videos, free and quicker shipping, and what is essentially a free library where users borrow and read books a month at a time.

However, if you're not a fan of Prime and don't mind the extra $50, why not give the Nook Tablet a chance? Although not by much, the Nook Tablet's specs were generally better than the Kindle Fire's, after all.

Whatever tablet you choose, make sure to check out our speakers and cases compatible with both the Nook Tablet and the Kindle Fire. Clearly, we chose to not be involved in this continuous battle between the extremely similar e-readers-turned-tablets.

-Jinni

Affordable Headphones Without Compromising Quality

To say that I am happy with my Apple products would be an understatement. It all started with my 3rd generation iPod Classic, and as I bought my MacBook, my iPad and my iPhone, I became more and more convinced that Apple in general delivers quality products.

BUT I am also convinced that Apple is not good at one thing: earbuds. Sure, they get the job done. And it is nice to buy an iPhone or an iPod and not have to worry about buying another pair of earbuds. But as far as comfort goes, Apple in-ear headphones did not make in onto my favorites list.

Solution? I have several! When using my iPod, I'm pretty attached to AudiOHM earbuds. They're probably the most comfortable earbuds I've ever worn, and the noise-isolating feature is great for helping me focus at work or avoid being social.

One feature that I did appreciate from my Apple earbuds was the remote and microphone built into the wire. Although I did use them for driving, the microphone came in handy when my hands and shoulder weren't free to hold onto the phone while in the middle of a conversation. They were great when I was cooking, folding laundry, or when shopping at the grocery store (although I did get weird looks from strangers who thought I was talking to myself).

But as with my iPod's earbuds, they became increasingly uncomfortable. Luckily around the time that I was ready to retire the uncomfortable earbuds, GOgroove came out with the DynaMIX earbuds, which are not only incredible comfy, but they also have an in-line microphone AND control for switching tracks, answering and ending calls, and playing or pausing music.

Although it's not exactly a fashion-forward accessory for us ladies, my favorite headphones to use are the GOgroove SoundCLUTCH Over-Ear Headphones. When it comes to quality and comfort, these headphones are the by far best ones I've ever tried. With cushioned, noise isolating earpads and an adjustable headband, these headphones are so nice to wear that I would forget I was wearing them if it wasn't for the crystal clear audio coming out of them.

Best part of all? All of the earbuds and headphones mentioned above are reasonably priced, saving you money without compromising quality!

-Jinni

GOgroove Pal Family Has a New Member!

Being the proud owner of a Panda Pal and a Koala Pal speaker system, and of course, a lover of all things CUTE, this post may be a little biased.

When I saw this little gal make her first appearance at Accessory Genie headquarters, I knew that it was love at first sight. And after seeing all of its little quirks and unique features, I could hardly contain myself! I had to complete my collection of the GOgroove Pal family and get MAMA Panda Pal!

MAMA, as I we like to call her, is as versatile and powerful as her family members. With a 3.5mm cable, you can connect and play audio from any media device with a 3.5mm plug, including smartphones, MP3 players, laptops, desktop computers and more.

In addition, MAMA is powered by the included AC power adapter and cable, or by 4 AA batteries, making this speaker system great for use at home and at the office, or at the beach or park!

When turned on, MAMA's little nose glows red! And adding to her cuteness, the volume is controlled by her touch-sensitive ears!

Since its starting to get cold out, my MAMA Panda Pal is stationed in my kitchen at home, where I listen to music from my iPad as I read cooking instructions from my Epicurious app. But come summer 2012, MAMA will definitely be hitting the great outdoors, joining me at the beach, camping, and on family outings.

My 5 year old niece has also developed a recent obsession with MAMA, and always tries sneaking her out of the house to take home. Little does she know, she's getting her own MAMA Panda Pal for the holidays!

With the holidays fast approaching, the MAMA Panda Pal arrived just in time as the perfect gift for friends and family, adults and kids!

-Jinni

How to Enjoy (or At Least Survive) Mondays

Ever wondered why Friday is such a magical day? Why you can go to sleep on Thursday night unusually happy? Why Fridays in general seem to be better days at work? Eight more hours, and it's officially the weekend.

For two days, you don't have to drive to the same office, sit at the same desk and do the same job you do for (at least) eight hours a day, five days a week. The crazier part is that I actually LOVE my job and I still feel this abnormal delight on that last day of the work week. I can't imagine how glorious 5:00 PM on a Friday afternoon must be to people who really dislike their jobs.

And Mondays. Oh Mondays. After only two days of freedom, why is it always so difficult to somehow find the will to roll out of bed and get to work? Why is it always so tempting to call in and fake a cold or say you ate some bad sushi the night before? Again, I actually enjoy coming to work most days. Can't imagine how dreadful Mondays are when you can't stand your job.

To avoid having a case of the Mondays, I like to make my desk as cheery of a place as possible.
I keep several things that make me feel happier to sit at my desk in general. Since I unfortunately sit under the air conditioning vent, I have a designated Snuggie (yes, a Snuggie) that I use whenever it gets chilly. I also keep my drawers well stocked with snacks.

My Koala Pal is connected to my computer and sits on my desk to keep me company. He's my little buddy and companion at work, not making a peep when I don't feel like listening. But the moment I give him the okay and he'll play my favorite office music, and look cute doing it!

The newest addition to my desk is the TECHnamouse Precision USB Optical Mouse! This light blue mouse is designed for gamers, but looks great on my desk at work. Aside from being extremely comfortable and easy to use, the bright blue and silver paint job and distinct design gives it a unique feel! The most fun I have using it is after lunch, when I sit in my office with the lights turned off for an hour or two. That is when the glowing blue LED light is most visible and most entertaining to use!

The way I see it, I sit at this same desk in this same office for at least 40 hours a week. Why not make it a more pleasant and comfortable environment? At the very least, it will make Mondays a lot easier to make it through.

-Jinni

Having it All: Using Your Smartphone Without Worrying About a Dead Battery

Do you remember a time before smartphones? I know it's difficult to imagine life before your smartphone, but there was a time before you could Check-In on Facebook, find good restaurants in your area on Yelp, and play Words with Friends with your cousin who lives on the other side of the country.
Before upgrading to the iPhone, I had a hot pink Motorola RAZR. And even after texting all day, every day (T9!) I could easily go at least a day and a half without having to charge my phone. For the most part, this is not the case anymore. In fact, I'm lucky if I make it to the end of the work day without having to charge my phone.

A co-worker of mine with the same problem (let's face it, if you have a smartphone, you probably have the same issue) came up with a great solution! During the day, he uses the ReVIVE Series Uni-Charger to charge his spare smartphone battery. Once his phone's battery is drained, he switches the batteries, giving him battery life until the next morning!

I thought this was a very creative way to keep your phone alive and well, especially since AC and DC chargers aren't always available.

Unfortunately for us iPhone owners, we don't have the option of switching out batteries. But using an enerG4 from Accessory Power is a great alternative!

The enerG4 iPhone 4/4S Extended Battery Case provides your iPhone with a nice boost in battery life, providing 40 extra hours of music listening, 13 hours of talking on the phone, and 10 hours of video and web browsing!

The ON/OFF switch on the case lets you decide when you're ready for an extra power boost, and will allow you to charge both your iPhone and the enerG4's batteries without removing the case! In addition, the case is also very protective, keeping my iPhone safe and sound.

My co-workers also like the fact that it's black and unisex. Although I do miss the good ol' days of the hot pink RAZR!

But don't worry, I had my enerG4 bejeweled.

-Jinni

How to Kill (and Not Kill) a DSLR Camera

On a recent camping trip, my friends and I decided to go on a hike and get in touch with Mother Nature. After packing a few backpacks with water bottles and healthy snacks, I noticed my friend, Drew, wrapping his digital SLR camera around his neck. Drew is pretty big on photography, so I knew he would bring his camera along. But what I found odd was that all he brought was the camera with its strap - no camera bag or sleeve to make sure his camera was safe.

"It'll be fine," he said.

We were having a blast while on our hike, until we reached a small creek that had to be crossed to continue. There were plenty of rocks that we could use as stepping stones, and one by one we safely and dryly crossed over to the other side.

That is until it was Drew's turn. While hopping from one rock to another, Drew lost his balance and fell, his camera crashing into another rock before landing in the water. After attempting to save his camera, we declared it as a lost cause.

A few weeks later, Drew came over to my house to show off his brand new DSLR camera. After witnessing his last camera's demise, my first reaction was "What kind of case did you get for it?"
"Oh I don't need one. It'll be fine."

Where had I heard that before...?

I showed Drew my USA Gear Deluxe dSLR Zoom Bag while explaining that after experiencing what he had, he of all people should realize the importance of a camera bag. Had his camera been in my Deluxe dSLR bag, his camera would have been well protected against crashing into the rock AND being submerged in water.

"It's too big for my taste," he said.

Well, good thing that Accessory Genie's sister site Bags-Cases.com carries a variety of camera bags and cases to accommodate every photographer's needs! We carry camera bags designed to comfortably and securely hold your dSLR camera and its accessories, without adding extra bulk.

Whether you're looking for a messenger bag, shoulder bag, or backpack, our bags and cases will protect your dSLR camera against drops and falls, rocks and water.

In the end, Drew decided to go with the USA Gear dSLR Camera Zoom Holster. Since then, he has slipped and fallen over a fair share of stones and puddles. But his camera has stayed safe and sound!

 Can't say the same for Drew, though.

-Jinni

Steve Jobs: A True Leader in Our Tech Universe

I think everyone has key moments in their lives that they can vividly recall, and maybe even relive in a sense. I still remember exactly how my morning went on September 11, 2001, where I initially thought a building was on fire until I saw a plane crash into the World Trade Center.
I perfectly remember the day my dad had a quadruple by-pass surgery, down to what I was wearing, to the relief that washed over me when I received the phone call saying he was going to be okay.

I remember sitting in my truck in the process of moving from one apartment to another when I noticed an obnoxious amount of Michael Jackson songs being played on every radio station I could find, until a DJ announced that he had passed away.

And I believe that October 5, 2011 will be one of those days. I was sitting at my desk working the afternoon away when I heard a co-worker walk over to another person's desk, saying "I think Apple just confirmed that Steve Jobs is dead."

What?! That was the only response I could bring myself to have. For whatever reason, I couldn't wrap my head around it. "Another hoax," I thought to myself. It had to be. But just to make sure, I went to Mashable's website where I was confronted with the headline "Steve Jobs Has Died."

Now, whether you're an Android fan or an Apple fan, you have to admit that Steve Jobs was a brilliant visionary who had the dedication and brilliance it took to make Apple the innovative company it is today.

At the very least, I feel that many of us look at Steve Jobs as a man of inspiration. It takes courage and strength to dream up and create something that no one else has thought of, that no one else may think will be a success, and to turn it into something that will have an impact on the world.

Steve Jobs once said "Design is not just what it looks like. Design is how it works." He believed in his products and did what he had to make others see his vision. And because of that vision, we have extraordinary products and services that many of us believe we can't live without.

At Accessory Genie, we strive to build our business around this concept. We want to see our customers happy with our products, and look forward to new items we'll bring to the table. We know that it's easier said than done, but with leaders like Steve Jobs to draw inspiration from it's made our jobs a little easier to bear. 

RIP Steve Jobs. And thank you.

-Jinni

Bluetooth - Anytime, Anywhere, Any Device

I've always thought of myself as a problem solver. I don't like problems, and I will not rest until they are solved. Kind of a downfall really, since I've lost hours of sleep on issues or situations that any other person would never have encountered or thought of in the first place.

It's nice when I encounter situations that are easy to resolve. Problem: I'm having trouble docking my
phone on its speakers system because the case is too thick. Solution: buy a new case. Great! I feel accomplished without spending restless nights concerned about docking my phone.

Unfortunately, the problems that I encounter are rarely this quick and easy to solve. Being from out of state, I still enjoy listening to radio stations from home, and like streaming the stations live from my computer. The problem isn't that my computers aren't loud enough (because my SideStream computer speakers are AMAZING). The problem that I constantly encounter is that it's hard listening to the streaming radio stations when my computer is immobile and I'm working in every part of the house other than the office.

Like I said, to anyone else, this isn't a situation worth losing sleep over. But every Saturday morning when I would work in the yard, tidy up the kitchen, or clean the living room, it was a little frustrating to not be able to listen to the music I wanted to. Especially when I knew there was a solution to my problem that I had been avoiding trying to discover.

I began to wonder whether there was a solution to my problem or if I was never going to listen to music from my computer in rooms other than the office. Alas, my friends at Accessory Genie came to my rescue once again!

The GOgroove BlueBar Clip-On Wireless Bluetooth Adapter was the most simple and inexpensive solution to my dilemma! Through a Bluetooth connection, the BlueBar can connect to any Bluetooth enabled device, like a computer. Through the 3.5mm plug, I can then listen to audio from my computer or any other device without having to be near it!

Unfortunately, my ancient computer isn't Bluetooth enabled, which did present another roadblock. But I was easily able to purchase a Bluetooth dongle from Amazon for a couple bucks!

Not only can I now listen to my favorite stations, or anything else playing on my computer, but I can also connect wirelessly to my phone and listen to music through my earbuds or my Koala Pal without having to cart my phone around.

Looking forward to enjoying a nice Saturday filled with yard work and my hometown's radio station!

-Jinni

Feminine Style in a Tech World

In a world of black, grey, and occasionally white smartphones, the HTC Rhyme, announced earlier this week, is a welcomed feminine addition to what many would think of as a man's world. Aside from being purple, the new HTC also comes with several accessories, including a charm that plugs into the Rhyme's headphone jack and glows when it receives calls and texts - perfect for noticing an incoming call or text when the phone is tucked away in a purse and the vibrations or ringtones are unnoticeable.

As a girl very much involved in the tech world, I sometimes get frustrated with the lack of feminine products available and can definitely appreciate when a product is specially geared towards women. For a moment, I considered switching to Verizon Wireless just so I could have a purple phone with a fantastic little charm attached to it, among the other accessories it comes with. Only for a moment though, until I realized that aside from the girly-ness of the phone, it wasn't worth the cost.

I realize that being more prone to purchasing items with a feminine feel can be a dangerous habit to have. And I know that not all women are like this. But its nice when electronic devices and accessories are designed and manufactured to fit a woman's needs (even if it does only look good.) This is why I'm such a fan of the new Renee Michelle PADfolio.

Before purchasing this case for my iPad, it was being kept safe in a plain black sleeve while a debated whether $100 was worth spending on a designer iPad folio case. Even though the case was beautiful, I went back and forth for a month whether I could justify spending that much money on something that would simply hold my tablet.

Then I saw the PADfolio, and the debate was over! The PADfolio provides a very secure and stylish home for my iPad. It comes in ivory or black with metallic accents, making my iPad fun to carry around, and making me look less like a nerd. The chic design easily goes from meetings at the office, to joining friends for dinner or drinks after work.

What's also great about the PADfolio is that it completely replaces my purse and/or briefcase most days. A small pouch located on the left hand side is great for storing my reading glasses, pens and pencils, my keys, and of course the occasional lip gloss. It also has a document slot that holds any papers or notebooks I need. The PADfolio comes in two sizes, which are compatible with the Apple iPad, iPad 2, HP TouchPad, Motorola XOOM, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and other tablets and e-readers.

Had tablets been around while I was in college, it would have been perfect for class taking to class as well.  However, I love using it for work, and it comes especially handy when I'm on travel, making my carry-on less bulky and much easier (and cuter) to carry.

Now if only I could get my hands on the HTC Rhyme's charm...

-Jinni

Are You Prepared? Emergency Preparedness for the Unpredictable (and Inevitable)

The initial reaction I get when I'm visiting out of state is how lucky I am to live in California... Lucky? I guess. Sure, I live in a place where I can soak my feet at the beach and simultaneously look up at the mountains and see snow. And the Kardashians live about 20 minutes away from Accessory Genie headquarters. And we don't have to deal with hurricanes or tornados. Okay, I guess you could say that California is a pretty cool place to call home.

But when it comes to natural disasters, I personally wouldn't consider dealing with unpredictable earthquakes a plus to living in California. Sure we all take certain measures to prepare as much as possible. But when the earth underneath your feet starts shaking uncontrollably and with no fair warning, it's not exactly a good time.

As uncomfortable as it may be, us Californians think it's a small price to pay for living in such a great place. So to prepare ourselves as much as we can for the unpredictable and inevitable, we have emergency preparedness kits to use in the event of a strong earthquake.

My emergency kit is pretty basic. But from personal experience, sometimes the most basic items are the most useful after an earthquake. For starters, I have a pair of running shoes unlaced and ready to be put on. Walking around barefoot (if I'm at home) or in heels (when I'm at work) post-earthquake is never a smart idea because of all the debris that is most likely all over the floor.

A first aid kit is an essential I had to include in my emergency kit. Mine is small and simple, with only the essentials, like gauzes, athletic tape, bandages, antibiotic cream, etc.

Of course, in case of an emergency, I prefer to be able to stay in contact with friends and family, which can be an obstacle when the power is out. My Solar ReStore comes especially in handy for this, as I can charge my cell phone without having to plug it into a power outlet. I simply plug my phone into the Solar ReStore, and it automatically charges it using power from the internal battery. When the Solar ReStore's battery is running low, I expose it to the sun, allowing it to charge using solar energy. In addition, the Solar ReStore also works as my emergency flashlight, having a side-loaded flexible LED light.

In addition to these supplies, I also maintain a bag of canned food and water, checking my supply twice a year to throw out anything that is old or expired and replacing it with new cans. By keeping an emergency kit, I can feel slightly more at ease about earthquakes.

I strongly encourage people who live in other parts of the country and suffer from other natural disasters to maintain their own emergency kits. You never know when an earthquake will hit the east coast, or when a tornado will touch down on the west.

-Jinni

Jazzin' Up the Workplace With GOgroove SideStream

When it comes to productivity, putting on a good song in the background has always been a favored solution. Although many people ask me how I get any work done while listening to music, I'm much more productive when I'm listening to Michael Buble than listening to the sound of someone's keyboard four cubicles away.
Up until recently, I was using an old pair of clunky computer speakers I found in my garage that I hadn't used in over seven years. With money tight, I knew that I couldn't justify to myself spending money on a pair of computer speakers when I had a "perfectly good set" to use.

I thought they worked fine -- not really. But they got the job done, and that's what mattered. My office wasn't as desolate as before the speakers, where the silence was so loud that it was difficult to get any work done at all.

As much as I appreciated having sound in my office, I started noticing minor details from my speakers that made me appreciate them less and less. I hated that they took up such an obnoxious amount of space on my desk. And I began noticing how awful the sound quality was. Worst of all, the speakers would randomly completely turn off by themselves, and I was forced to wiggle wires behind until I heard sound again. Over time, my frustration with the old speakers continuously increased, as did my urge to toss them out the window.

One day my speakers decided to increase in volume, on their own. The more I tried turning down the sound, the higher the music blared, distracting the whole office. I finally waved my white flag and muted my computer completely while unplugging the old speakers and tossing them in to the electronics recycling bin.

I was on a mission for new computer speakers. But if I was going to spend the money, I was going to buy a pair that would at least meet my needs without breaking the bank. I wanted speakers that had good sound and on-board volume controls, had a unique look or style, and didn't take up too much space on my desk.

I remembered that we had recently received an order of the GOgroove SideStream clip-on speakers, so I decided to try them out for myself. These computer speakers are exactly what I was looking for! They connect to my computer through a USB cable and clip on to my computer screen, leaving plenty of space on my desk for all of the other clutter! The SideStream speakers can be divided and clipped on to each side of your screen, or connect to form one full speaker!

Best of all, these speakers sound amazing. I didn't realize the sound quality I was missing out on until I tried these out! The built-in amp and subwoofers generate great sound that makes listening to audio a much more enjoyable experience. The on-board volume and power controls are also very helpful when I need to quickly turn down the volume when my boss walks into the office, or to turn up on Friday afternoons for an office dance party.

-Jinni

Creating My Own "Car of the Future"

Earlier this week, I read an article about the Ford Evos, a car that Mashable called the "Social Networking Vehicle of the Future." What does it take to earn this title? The idea of the Ford Evos is for it to always be connected to a cloud and understand the driver's wants needs and interests. It'll keep tabs on traffic and weather that is relevant to where the driver needs to be, know the work schedule, etc. It will also monitor the driver's physical state and will adjust temperature controls and handing to better accommodate them. 
After reading only the title, I couldn't understand why a person would feel the need to send a Tweet or write on a friend's Facebook Wall while driving. Why can't they just wait until they arrive at their destination to be "social"?

But after reading the article, I was much more intrigued by the concept. A car that could work with me to be where I need to be when I need to be there, all the while keeping me comfortable and complacent... Sounds pretty amazing, especially for those of us living in Los Angeles, where getting to somewhere on time is a constant struggle.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the Ford Evos will be coming out any time soon, if at all. With no Evos in my near future, I decided to take my car and some Accessory Genie products, and make my own "car of the future."

I started off with the FlexSmart X2, a wireless FM transmitter that connects to your car through Bluetooth. Aside from playing music wirelessly through your car's speakers, it also enables you to make hands-free phone calls. I also use it with my navigation app to get step by step directions through my speakers.

When I want to easily see my smartphone's screen, I mount my phone on the USA Gear Ventmount to look at my screen quickly without taking my eyes off the road for too long. My Ventmount also rotates horizontal to fit my TomTom Navigation system, which I use when I want to avoid as much traffic as possible.

To entertain any company I may have in my backseat, I set up my USA Gear TabGRAB, a tablet mount that easily attaches to my headrest and adjusts to securely display my tablet. When I wirelessly connect my tablet to the FlexSmart X2, my nieces and nephews will watch shows and movies with what I like to call "surround sound", and I'm left peacefully driving without any fighting coming from the back of my car.

 With a few products from Accessory Genie, I have my own "car of the future!" Okay, maybe it still doesn't compare to the Evos. But these products do make my daily commute significantly more tolerable. And in L.A., that's really all that matters.

Oh, and we're still working on a product that does climate control...

-Jinni

AudiOHMS: Good for Productivity, and the Anti-Social Person in You

I'm not afraid to admit that I am ridiculously attached to my earbuds. I seriously can't go anywhere without them. I always think to myself - self, do I really need these? And the answer is always YES! What if you are stuck waiting for someone and you get bored? What if you are in a car with people and want to drown them out? Or even worse, what if you are on the bus or subway? Earbuds are the perfect way to be anti-social without being rude.
Think about it. When you see someone sitting on a bus or at a bus stop, or waiting near a restaurant or mall and you think about approaching them, don't the earbuds throw you off? You see someone with earbuds and it sends a signal that they shouldn't be approached. I know I do it all the time. When I take the subway or go to the gym, the earbuds stay in. Yeah, I enjoy the music, but even better is drowning out the people around me or putting up a barrier between myself and the wierdos out there! I've even been known to putting in earbuds and not listening anything just to avoid talking to people. It's the perfect excuse.

Earbuds also help me stay productive. I'm one of those people who doesn't like the quiet. It's not that I'm afraid of it, but if it gets too quiet, I find myself looking for stimulation. I find that more and more people are like this, maybe because there is so much more out there than ever before and we are getting used to this fast paced world... maybe it's just because my generation just wants to rebel but who knows. All I know is that I'm grateful for my earbuds come the 4pm lull at work.

I know I'm not the only one who feels this way about my earbuds. When you walk in to the electronics department of Target, you see how many choices there are! There are earbuds of all shapes, sizes, colors, and price points. You need to decide if you want the in ear earbuds, headphones, big ones, small ones, huge ones... There are an endless amount of options.

I love my audiOHM earbuds from Accessory Genie. Thank goodness I found an affordable pair of earbuds that fit comfortably in my ears and have excellent sound quality. Before I got them, I thought my Apple issued earbuds were just fine, but these make those other ones look like a joke. They come in 3 colors, a dark green, bright blue, and red. I have the red ones and they're awesome. They also come with 4 sizes of silicon ear pieces so I can customize them to fit my ears perfectly. Also makes sharing a little better if you're like me and are grossed out by other people's earwax.

I would recommend these to anyone in need of a good pair of earbuds that doesn't want to spend a lot just for the brand name!

-Jinni

Don't Get it Twisted, Go Wireless

Cardio workouts are simultaneously my best friend and my worst enemy. Best friend because, well, let's face it, how else am I supposed to burn off all the calories from those delicious In-n-Out burgers and Krispy Kreme doughnuts? And worst enemy because in addition to being incredibly exhausting, it also is tedious and boring, especially when you're just listening to your own footsteps hitting the pavement or the treadmill continuously repeating its cycle.

I had tried using the earbuds to listen to music. And as pleasant as it was to listen to music (I even had a whole playlist dedicated to working out), I hated having to carry my iPod in my hand. I also tried an arm band pocket for my iPod, which I thought would solve the problem. However I wasn't able to switch tracks very easily, which was kind of annoying. I also realized that the wire from my earbuds bouncing around was almost as annoying than hearing my own footsteps for a few miles.

The GOgroove AudioACTIVE Bluetooth Headset was the solution to my problems. Or at least that little thorn in my life. This comfy headset connects to your audio player through Bluetooth, so I never have to worry about carrying my clunky iPod Touch while listening to the Spice Girls during my morning workout.
The design of the AudioACTIVE headset was obviously engineered with sports activities in mind. The headset comfortably fits in your ears and around the back of your head with a secure yet comfortable fit. On-board controls let me change the tracks playing, as well as control the volume levels.

When my AudioACTIVE headset is synced with my iPhone, the built-in microphone and answering controls turns my headset into a hands-free calling device. Not that I would ever want to answer the phone in the middle of my run, but I've found this feature to be so handy and useful for other activities where my hands or shoulders are too busy to hold a phone.

My AudioACTIVE Bluetooth Headset easily charges through AC or USB, and provides me with 7 hours of listening time, although I hope I'll never be working out for 7 hours straight.
And the best part of all, no more annoying wires to deal with!
-Jinni

Meet the Koala Pal!

The GOgroove Koala Pal has finally joined the Accessory Genie family! Much like its friendly and loved relative, the Panda Pal, the Koala Pal is a compact and deceiving speaker system designed to play audio from your favorite electronics, including tablets, MP3 players, smartphones, laptops, desktop computers and more!

Yes I called it deceiving. For an item of its size and shape, I expected the music coming out of it to be something my 3 year old nephew would appreciate much more than I ever could. Then I tested the product out, and instantly fell in love. It's pretty entertaining to listen to the amazing-ness that is Lady Gaga playing out of the cutest little speaker you could think of, and the sound quality blow your mind.

Through its 3.5mm cable "tail", the Koala Pal plugs into your audio player of choice to deliver surprisingly amazing sound. Adding to its versatility, the Koala Pal can be powered through a USB port (cable included) or by three AAA batteries. I replaced my boring desktop speakers at work with my Koala Pal, and it's significantly much more pleasant to have an adorable face look at me as it plays music to get me through the day.

On Friday afternoons, I simply unplug KoKo (yes, I named my Koala Pal) and take it with me for my weekend activities. It has completely replaced the bulky stereo system I used to take to the beach or to the park simply because it delivers the same sound quality but is so much easier to travel with!

You may not know that the koala's survival is currently threatened due to habitat loss, brush fires and disease. To encourage Koala Pal owners to take action, the Koala Pal's manufacturer, Accessory Power, has also added in an informational snippet to the Koala Pal's packaging and instruction manual to raise awareness of the Australian Koala Foundation. To find out how you could support this non-profit organization in its mission to save the wild koala and its habitat, you can visit www.savethekoala.com.

I couldn't be happier with my Koala Pal, as a portable speaker and as my desktop companion, and I look forward to seeing what other friendly companions GOgroove comes out with next!

-Jinni

An Accessory Genie Rep Will Be With You Shortly

I've never liked having to call customer service numbers and will usually do what I can to avoid, even if it means trying to fix my own cable box or pay a couple extra bucks on my cell phone bill for something I shouldn't have been charged for. But despite the serious irritation I have with calling customer service numbers, sometimes it just can't be helped.

A few weeks ago I noticed on my credit card statement that I had a ridiculous charge from a company I had never heard of. Of course, I immediately picked up the phone and called my credit card's customer service line, only to go through a maze of "Press one for..." and "Zero is not an option..." After about five minutes, I was finally able to get a hold of a real human being, only to be informed that I had reached an incorrect extension.

Airline customer service lines are just as bad. Last January, a relative of mine was coming to visit California when a huge storm hit Atlanta, where her connecting flight was supposed to take place. Needless to say, she was incredibly frustrated waiting at the airport and not having her questions answered, so I called the airline's customer service number to get some information about her flight.

No exaggeration, I literally waited on hold for 45 minutes before I was finally able to get a live person on the line. Yes, I understand there was a storm and they may have had more calls than usual. But is 45 minutes really an acceptable time to wait with the phone on my ear? I think not.

Because of these horrible experiences, I truly have an appreciation for the customer service department here at Accessory Genie. When you call, there aren't any buttons to push (unless you know the person's extension) and you're directly transferred to a customer service representative. Our customer service team is constantly trained on all of the products sold at AccessoryGenie.com, and is therefore very knowledgeable and able to answer any questions or concerns callers may have.

And they really are here to help customers with ANY questions they may have. If you really just can't figure out how to get your device to work properly, they can walk you through it. Would like to exchange a product for another? They'll happily arrange it for you. They really are there to help our Accessory Genie customers with any needs, questions and concerns.

So the next time you have a question about a product you purchased from AccessoryGenie.com, please do not hesitate to contact them at 888-998-8879. I promise the experience will be significantly better than calling your credit card company, the cable guy, or the annoying airline your aunt is flying on.

Happy dialing!

-Jinni

Smartphone Battery Drainers and Life Savers

There is nothing worse than a dead cell phone battery. When your phone starts blinking and beeping and buzzing to alert you that you have 12% battery life remaining, it usually comes at the worst time. Seriously! Does your battery ever die as you are settling in bed for the night? No! It dies when you need to let the person you're meeting know you're stuck in traffic, or when you're expecting an important call or message. Just the other day, my phone started to give me the "low battery" routine and I swear, I left it completely alone - but the more it buzzed, and beeped, and blinked, the quicker my battery drained. I constantly see people on Twitter and Facebook talking about their dwindling down to nothing and how annoying it is when it gets to the point where the warning signs start. The general consensus seems to be that these "warning signs" seem to kill your battery quicker than if there were no signs...

Unfortunately as phones get more and more advanced and have more and more capabilities, they use more battery power. I remember ages ago, having my Nokia 5165 - it was all the rage when I was in middle school - and my battery lasted a lot longer. I could get away with charging it once every couple of days. When I upgraded to a BlackBerry, I would have to charge it every night, but if I forgot, I could get by - now with my Android phone, I can barely make it through the day. If I forget to charge it when I get home, forget about it. If I go a night without charging this phone, I may as well leave it at home! Luckily, I have some helpful hints to help your battery last a little longer!

While none of these will seriously prolong your battery life, they will help you conserve battery power.  Turn off wifi and GPS - these are serious drains on your battery. Turn off vibrating notifications or profiles - your phone exerts more energy when vibrating than simply playing noises. Think about it this way, are you more tired after going out dancing or singing? Odds are you picked dancing! Turn off push notifications - turning off these notifications almost defeats the purpose of having email or other apps on your phone, but in desperate times, turning them off will help preserve power!

Even better than turning off all the fun stuff that puts the smart in smart phone, is investing in a mobile car charger, like Accessory Power's MiniBolt. Having a charger on the go will help recharge when your battery needs a boost.

Another great option for improving battery life is investing in an extended battery. Most extended batteries are slightly too big for your phone, so like the truCELL Extended Smart Phone Batteries from Accessory Power, many come with a larger back door to attach to your phone. This can add a little bulk to your phone, but in the long run, bulk is preferable to 100 warning notifications that your battery is low. Another solid option is to get a backup or spare battery for your phone. Make sure the backup battery is fully charged and carry it with you to swap out when your battery gets low. This way, it's like doubling the battery life and enabling your phone to last hours longer. Accessory Power has several options for standard "back up" Smart Phone Batteries.

-Jinni

In Case of Emergency

At 3 am this morning while I was soundly asleep, the fire alarms in my apartment building decided to go off. After suffering from what I thought was a minor heart attack after being woken up by screeching sirens and flashing lights, I was able to gather my thoughts and figure out what I had to do.
I quickly put my sandals on, grabbed my purse and walked out to the pool, where many of my neighbors had decided was a good meeting place at 3 o'clock in the morning when a fire alarm goes off and there is no fire in sight. Twenty minutes later, our huddle by the pool grew a little, as did our frustrations. We all wanted to go back to bed, but weren't ready to assume that there wasn't a fire we had to be worried about. Finally, we were instructed by a firefighter that someone had pulled the alarm in one of the stairwells and that it was safe for us to go back to our apartments.

After almost an hour of flashing lights and blaring sirens, there was no way I was going to fall asleep very easily, so I decided to tidy up my apartment until my sleepiness came back. It's amazing how many personal items I found that I realized I would have dearly missed had they been lost in a fire.

When I was younger I remember having been told that all the personal items I could easily carry that could not be replaced should be kept by the front door where they are easy to grab and go. But it wasn't until this morning that it occurred to me how much sense that made. So while at work, I decided to pick up a few items that would help me see this concept through.

First thing I bought was the USA Gear Deluxe Digital SLR Camera Bag to carry the DSLR camera that my cousin had given to me as a gift before she passed away. I had wanted this camera bag for a while now, but it wasn't until today that I realized how essential it was to have a durable bag for my DLSR camera and its accessories. This bag is incredibly easy and comfortable to carry, and provides a secure fit for my camera and two additional lenses. In addition, I can keep extra accessories for my camera, including my SD cards, extra cables and batteries, so I can literally grab my bag and go. 

In addition to my USA Gear Deluxe DSLR Camera Bag, I also had prepared a backpack at home to carry the smaller things I would need. My external hard drive was one of the first things I put in the back pack after safely storing it in its USA Gear Armor Case since it holds all of my important files, as well as most of my pictures. While thinking about pictures, I grabbed a couple of photo albums containing old family pictures that were not stored in my external hard drive and put them in the backpack as well.

To make packing easier, I thought about what items I felt were irreplaceable and what I could buy more of, and I recommend you do the same, keeping in mind that one friends' bag may be very different from yours. Whether a random fire alarm at 3 in the morning is a hoax or the real thing, you'll want to be prepared to grab what you can and get out as quickly and safely as possible.

-Jinni

What I Thought was a Minus Could be a Plus - Google+, That Is

I'll be honest. When I first heard about Google+ (before it came out) I thought the idea was ridiculous. I was irritated by Google's necessity to create a social network and battle it out with Facebook, even though Google already reigns over a good portion of the Internet. Why feel the need to control social media, too?!

After Google+ was released a couple of weeks ago (invite only, of course) my irritation with the giant grew, especially with the talk and fuss continuously growing, not just on news sites and blogs, but even on social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter. I even came across a Facebook Page called "Moving to Google+" where Facebook users were talking about "relocating" and getting rid of Facebook accounts.

Were we all complaining this much about our Facebook profiles a couple of months ago? Personally, I love my Facebook account for several reasons. I can keep in contact with friends and family, both near and far, make plans for the weekend, keep tabs on my exes, etc. When my friend was in Japan during the recent earthquake, the first thing I did was check her profile to make sure she was safe. Facebook has been so useful and convenient in such a wide variety of ways that I can't imagine not having a profile. And due to the love and appreciation I have for my Facebook profile, I was upset with everyone who was "moving."

"Traitors," I thought to myself.

A week later, the buzz multiplied, and my irritation transformed into curiosity. Reading an article on Mashable stating that there was already an estimated 10 million users on Google+ certainly did not help the situation. Why wasn't I one of the chosen ones to get an invite? And what was all the fuss about?

Finally, after a serious inner battle with myself on whether I would stay true to Facebook or adventure on to new horizons, I decided to use my invite and witness the new social media site for myself. Like many users have already mentioned, Google+ seems a little daunting at first and is a little difficult to navigate through. But I have to say, it does put a nice spin on the Facebook version of a profile.

Business accounts have yet to exist in the Google+ world, although some like Mashable have taken the liberty of creating one anyway. But I believe the website is simply too new to know how a Google+ account for a company could benefit it and its consumers.

Although similar in many ways, Google+ is unchartered territory that I feel many of us who are devoted to Facebook will have to accept. I'll tell you one thing, though. My Facebook profile isn't going anywhere. At least not yet.

-Jinni

Accessory Genie Introduces TwinPort External Battery Pack

Have you ever been in a sticky situation when you REALLY wished you had charged your phone before leaving the house? Or where you wished you hadn't been so cheap and invested in a DC charger to use when you were on the road? Sometimes, it's not even your phone that you wish you had charged, but maybe your Kindle or your MP3 player.

I have unfortunately found myself in similar situations too often and am entirely too familiar with the low battery symbols on all of my devices. Honestly, it's not out of laziness that I don't take the time to charge my products, but that I don't realize that I have to until the battery on my iPhone is nearly empty and turns red.

If only there was a way to charge my devices whenever and wherever I need to...

Cue the ReVIVE Series TwinPort Dual USB External Battery Pack!

This unique and powerful external battery pack can store up to 5,000 mAh of power to provide charges to a wide variety of electronic products, including smartphones, MP3 players, e-readers, and other small electronics.

Designed with convenience in mind, the TwinPort provides a charge to your electronics whenever or wherever it is needed. With a 2.1 amp charging current and the dual USB design, the TwinPort can provide a simultaneous full charge to two electronic devices such as cell phones or MP3 players.
In addition, the external battery pack's internal lithium battery can conveniently be charged through any powered USB port on a desktop computer or laptop, or through an AC or DC power outlet. With a low self-discharge design, the TwinPort keeps its charge for approximately two months while not in use. A convenient LED status indicator on the back of the TwinPort allows the user to easily check how much power is left in the battery with the simple touch of a button.

Ever since I bought my TwinPort, my devices are always charged and ready to go! So whether I'm away on vacation, in the car, or even at home, I can always conveniently charge up my devices as needed.

To check out TwinPort Dual USB External Battery Pack and other ReVIVE Series chargers, batteries and ports, visit http://www.accessorygenie.com/.

-Jinni

App Happy at Accessory Genie!

After reading a Mashable article this morning announcing that there are 100,000 apps now available for the iPad, I couldn't help but wonder how important apps are to people when considering what tablet to purchase. For the most part, my Android friends have the same application as I do on my iPhone, and my coworker's iPad has the same apps as my Samsung Galaxy Tab. Personally, I can't really see 100,000 apps affecting my decision to buy one tablet from another.
 Like many people, I use basic apps that make my life a little easier and more entertaining. But I wonder if that's just my point of view or if that's the general opinion. I took the liberty of going around Accessory Genie headquarters to find out what the popular apps were, whether for Apple or Android, tablet or smartphone. Of course, not all the apps available for Apple and Android were the same, but there were replacements that were very similar!

As you may have guessed, the two most popular ones were Pandora and Facebook. And after those came a slew of basic applications for everyday use, like The Weather Channel App, Bank of America, Chase, Google Maps and other apps that designed to make your life a little easier.

Being a social media and tech junkie, I have Mashable and CNET apps on my phone to keep me updated on the latest products and tech related news. Other popular news apps included USA Today, Newsy and the LA Times apps.

If you enjoy reading as much as I do and don't have a Kindle or Nook yet, the apps available with Android and Apple tablets are perfect for you. iBooks is a personal favorite of mine, while some of my coworkers prefer apps like Audiobooks, where you are read to. One of my coworkers even has an app called vBookz where books are read to him in robot voices!

Of course, there is also that long list of apps that are simply designed to alleviate even the most boring of situations. Popular games apps like Angry Birds and Words With Friends are always fun to have, especially when you have nothing better to do. Want to watch a show or a movie? Check out Flixster or Fandango for movie times at a theatre near you, or check out Hulu Plus or Netflix.

Other fun and completely pointless apps that were popular around the office included Google Star Chart, Fat Booth, FML, Zombie Booth, Zippo Lighter, and many, many, many (at least 99,000) more applications.

Remember that whether you have an Android or Apple operating system, or if you're looking for apps for your tablet or smartphone, we have all the accessories you'll need at www.AccessoryGenie.com!

-Jinni

Loving (and Hating) Our Smartphones

By the time I was due for an upgrade on my wireless plan, I felt like everyone around me was with the times with their smartphones, while I was stuck with my dinosaur of a phone, T9 texting and all. I was ecstatic to go and buy myself my new phone, especially since I knew exactly what I wanted: a brand new iPhone 4. I get that with smartphones, especially with Android and iPhones, you either love a phone or hate it. But I had my reasons for wanting that phone, just like everyone else has their reasons.
With this in mind, I decided to go around and ask my coworkers at Accessory Genie what phones they have and how they feel about them. Surprisingly, many of my coworkers were like me, and had upgraded to their first smartphone.
Julie was one of these. She had an LG Vu, which was incredibly outdated and difficult to deal with. So one day while shopping at Costco, she decided to stop by the cell phone booth and check out her options, and decided to go with the Samsung Captivate. Why did this phone stick out the most to her? "It was free," she says, with the updated plan, of course.

For the most part, she loves her phone. She was especially sold when the salesperson compared its screen to that of a Samsung TV, in terms of resolution. She doesn't like that her phone will randomly turn off on its own, or that the buttons don't work like she wants them to all of the time. "Sometimes the buttons don't work when I press them, and sometimes they're too sensitive," she explains.

Having more of an interest in the technical qualities of the phone, Kyle upgraded to his Palm Pre primarily because of the promise that the phone would eventually have Flash, and is very disappointed that promise was never fulfilled. But a plus from his phone is that it's easy to program. "I've been able to install programs that I've created," he says. He also likes the keyboard aspect because he hates the idea of typing on a touch screen.

Like Kyle, Rachael was convinced that she would hate using an all-touch screen phone. "I loved my BlackBerry and wanted to upgrade to a Torch but was talked out of it by the salespeople," she explains. Instead she was talked into getting a HTC Inspire, and she says it was a great decision. She loves how big the screen is and how easy the phone is to navigate through. It's also really fast, which is great for all the fun apps I use." The negatives? According to her, the phone doesn't have the best battery life, and the speaker volume when on calls isn't very loud. But overall, Rachael says, "I'm obsessed with my phone."

Like Rachael, I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I love everything about my iPhone 4 and really believe that it is worth every penny I spent on it. We all have preferences, and when the time comes to upgrade again, who knows what phone I'll be interested in next.

Whatever phone you are proud to have, keep in mind that Accessory Genie has the accessories you need!

-Jinni