Screen protectors are an accessory that used to be a required item on PDAs and smartphones that were stylus driven, but it would be a mistake to think that there is not a place for them on modern smartphones such as the iPhone or the non-touch BlackBerry’s.

There uses are many-fold and when you consider the price of a modern smartphone, a few extra pounds is not a lot to spend for the added protection. The one I am reviewing today is specifically designed for the BlackBerry Bold 9700 which may seem like a curious device to use a screen protector on. However, the screen is one of the major parts of any smartphone and in some cases the most susceptible to scratches. Even a phone like the 9700 which has a tough screen benefits from a screen protector because I have seen a couple of work with noticeable scratches on already. When you pay £400 for a smartphone, £5.95 extra to protect the vulnerable part is a no brainer.

The Expert Shield model comes with everything you need to start protecting your screen and is one of the easier ones I have applied in recent times. It uses the two sided method; you peel off one side, attach the protector to the screen and then peel off the second side. I had a moment after I applied it where I honestly thought that it was not there, but it was and with no air bubbles in sight. It is advisable to use a straight object such as a credit card to ease the process, but all on all it worked well for me.

Besides adding protection, a screen protector can stop glare which is particularly useful when driving using GPS. The model I tested here, however, is so clear that you really will not notice that it has been applied. For under £6 this is a very cheap way to protect your smartphone and one which ensures that the resale value will be higher when you come to upgrade- it is highly likely that you will add much more than the asking price on any future sale of your phone.

To sum up, the Expert Shield protector is simple, easy to apply and well priced. I have no hesitation in recommending it and even though I dread writing screen protector reviews, I have been more than pleased with the product.

Available from Expert Shield who also make protectors for the iPhone, HTC HD2, Nokia 5530 and many other devices

Brando has just released a seriously powerful mobile charging accessory. The USB Power Station holds a huge 5,000mAh which should keep you (and someone else) going for a couple of charges at least.

Have you ever had experiences that devices are running out of battery while in use? It is disturbing when you are enjoying your MP3 or chatting happily with friends on the phone, etc. Now! USB Power Station (5,000mAh) won’t let this situation happen anymore! You can charge your devices in a flash before battery exhausts! In addition, the huge power storage – built-in 5,000mAh rechargeable battery and dual USB power output. Now, you can charge your *iPhone, Handheld PC, Cellphone, DV, iPod, MP3 and PMP PSP and any other applicable devices.

Brando has released a new 1900mAh Portable PDA Charger for Micro USB enabled smartphones. Great to see an accessory that works with so many smartphones.

Charge the charger station by your Micro USB cable / AC adapter. Plug the charger to your mobile phone to charge your phone at any time and any where.

Features :

Test button for checking the charger’s current capacity
Animated LED indicator when charging is in progress
Capacity: 1900mAh
Input: 5V 800mA
Output: 5V 500mA
Dimension: 68×62x15mm
Weight:62g
Charge Time: Around 2 Hours

PDair has released a selection of new luxury silicone cases for the Apple iPod Touch 3rd generation (32GB/64GB). They are available in white, black and red and compliment the design very well indeed.

SanDisk is now shipping a 64GB SDXC card for $349.99. Expect that price to drop soon, but it will still be good value for some. “Milpitas, Calif., February 22, 2010 – SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), the global leader in flash memory cards, today announced that it has begun shipping the 64 gigabyte (GB)1 SanDisk Ultra® SDXC™ card, the company’s highest capacity SD™ card ever. With its 64GB capacity, up to 15MB/sec read speed2 and Class 4 speed rating, the new card is ideal for capturing and storing massive 1080p High-Definition video files and then transferring them quickly to a computer.

SDXC cards are based on the new SD 3.0 specification, which makes it possible to manufacture cards with storage capacity up to 2 terabytes (TB)3. The SDXC card’s exFAT file structure helps consumers record long-duration HD videos. The 64GB SanDisk Ultra SDXC card can store more than eight hours of such video with recording speed of 9 Mbps (HD standard)*.

“SDXC is the successor to the popular SDHC card format,” said Susan Park, director, retail product marketing, SanDisk. “The 64GB SanDisk Ultra SDXC card delivers the speed and capacity consumers need for extended HD video recording and improved rapid shooting of still images. The card is an ideal complement for recently-announced SDXC-compatible cameras and camcorders.”

Because the SD 3.0 specification was recently released, only a handful of devices may be immediately available that support SDXC cards. However, the pace of new camera model introduction supporting the SDXC format is accelerating. Canon announced at CES that all of its new VIXIA camcorder models and PowerShot cameras are compatible with SDXC cards. Widespread adoption of SDXC is expected to occur across a range of consumer electronic products including HDTVs, Blu-ray recorders/players, camcorders, cameras, mobile phones, navigation systems and computers. SanDisk® ImageMate® memory card readers are compatible with SDXC cards if the connected PC uses an operating system that supports exFAT.

The 64GB SanDisk Ultra SDXC card comes with a lifetime limited warranty**. The card is available immediately at www.sandisk.com via the U.S. e-commerce site with a price of $349.99, and will be available at SanDisk locations around the world soon after.”

Piel Frama has released a lovely new iMagnum leather case for the Google Nexus One. It’s not cheap, but you pay for what you get most of the time.

•High quality cowskin leather.
•Snap closure system.
•Sync through travel cable.
•Rotable and completely removable Ultra Belt Clip (the knob is also removable).
•Soft leather lining.
•Polypropylene inner structure.
•ABS inserted protection.

PDair has released a selection of new cases for the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, HP iPAQ Glisten and Google Nexus One-

First up is the X10 with six different versions; flip, book, sleeve, horizontal pouch, vertical pouch with belt clip and a vertical pouch with no belt clip.

For the iPAQ Glisten there are two metal cases- silver and black.

And finally black and silver metal cases for the Nexus One.

Expert Shield has just released a new screen protector for the HTC HD2, a smartphone which really does benefit from having such an accessory installed. In my tests the screen is highly prone to fingerprints and this is a good solution for under £6.

PDair has popped up with silver and black aluminium cases for the Palm Pixi. This device seems to suit a metal covering more than most which is an advantage.

Thin, Lightweight and strong.
Removable 360 degrees belt clip included.
Anodized aircraft-grade aluminum prevents from scratches.
Neoprene inner lining for extra protection and shock absorber.
Easy access to all buttons and features.
High tensil strength aluminum.
Cutouts give easy access to all handheld features.
Easy to install.

The Steering Wheel Bluetooth MP3/FM Car Kit is an innovative new accessory from Brando and could be useful every single time you get in your car- “Steering Wheel Bluetooth MP3/FM Car Kit, wireless headset, phonebook and FM transmitter. An all-in-one sleek device that attaches to your cars steering wheel. It is ultimate enhancement to your driving experience adding bluetooth, wireless headset and wireless audio functions to your car with easy installation. Make and receive class safely from the comfort of the steering wheel or utilize the smart detachable wireless earpiece for enhanced privacy. TTS function broadcast caller’s number. Powerful phonebook memory:600 phone number. Enjoy steering audio files from any micro SD memory card or A2DP mobile phone wireless to your car speaker with the built-in FM transmitter. Packed with an advanced DSP technology for noise and echo cancellation.”

IAN has announed the iTYPE keyboard which will bring full-sized typing to all iPhone owners. The design is unusual, but it will have a place for those who want to do some serious work on their pocket wonder. Multi-tasking would be a useful addition for the kind of user who will need this.

iTYPE is a comfortable, familiar computer keyboard that transforms your iPhone or iPod touch into an ultra-portable computer. Hit the road with iTYPE and leave your laptop at home!

* Computer keyboard transforms iPhone into ultra-portable computer
* Travelers and vacationers can now travel without laptop computer
* Faster text input than on-screen keyboard

Brando has released two new cases for the iPhone 3G and 3GS, but these are different from what you would normally expect. They comes in wood and bamboo flavours and will certainly make you stans out from the crowd.

“iPhone 3G / 3G S Bamboo Case protects your iPhone 3G. The Wooden material give them a natural look. Made of environmentally friendly plastic which is extremely strong and durable.”

Brando has released the iPDA iHandstick which looks like the ideal accessory for the serious mobile gamer. Well priced at only $12 as well.

iPDA iHandstick gives you a gamepad feel for your iPhone 3G. Make you more comfortable for longer play.

Features:
- Smart and compact design
- Soft rubber pad design give you comfortable feeling
- Special controller pad design, for more easy control and good for longer play
Specifications:
- Dimensions:D165 X W110 X H50(mm)
- Two frames for iPhone 3G/ 3GS and iPod Touch 2G/ 3G.

Model :
- iPhone 3G
- iPhone 3GS
- iPod Touch 2G
- iPod Touch 3G

Piel Frama has come up with a very stylish way to protect your Motorola DROID. Looks great in red-

•High quality cowskin leather.
•Snap closure system.
•Sync through travel cable.
•Rotable and completely removable Ultra Belt Clip (the knob is also removable).
•Soft leather lining.
•Polypropylene inner structure.
•ABS inserted protection.

PDair has released some new cases for the Palm Pixi and Motorola DROID-

For the DROID we have a flip type, book type, horizontal pouch type, vertical pouch type with belt clip and the same verticle solution without the clip.

For the Palm Pixi there is a flip type, horizontal pouch type, vertical pouch type with belt clip and the same verticle solution without the clip.