9 iPhone accessories you may not need but probably still want

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As smartphones have become more ubiquitous, the number of things they can actually do has expanded. There's a whole industry devoted to making add-ons for the computer in your pocket, and while a good chunk of them aren't exactly necessary for day-to-day life, they're often fun and creative enough to be worth it for the right niche of people. No one device gets more of these weird little add-ons than the iPhone, so here are a few accessories for Apple's flagship device that we enjoy, even if they aren't totally practical.

External camera flash: iBlazr ($60)

iBlazrThe iPhone line consistently pumps out some of the best cameras on the mobile market, but there's no shortage of gadgets out there devoted to making them better. One area where they could stand to improve is in the selfie department, and it's that same area where external flashes like the iBlazr are particularly useful. Use one of these and you'll have smarter and stronger lighting for nighttime shots. For a wireless alternative that won't add any bulk to your phone, try something like the Nova. 

iBlazr, $59.99, available at BiteMyApple.

Attachable shutter button: Snap 6 ($50)

iBlazrTapping an onscreen icon just doesn't evoke the same sense of reliability as an old-school shutter button. The Snap 6 adds one, which comes as part of a case that's already grippy and relatively refined. It lets you pop on a few interchangeable lenses as well. 

Snap 6, $49.99, available at BiteMyApple.

Attachable camera lens: LOHA Premium Camera Lens ($27)

iBlazrSpeaking of interchangeable lenses, Loha Life's solution lets you take macro and wide-angle shots on the go with a level of detail that the iPhone's default shooter can't quite match. This is a newer entry in the add-on market, but it's got stellar reviews on Amazon, it comes with a lifetime warranty, and it works with Android phones too. 

LOHA Premium Camera Lens​, $26.99, available at Amazon.

Laser pointer: iPin Laser Presenter ($53)

iBlazrDropping $40 on a laser pointer probably doesn't fall under traditional definitions of "rational," but if you often find yourself giving presentations, having one set right in your phone is convenient. The minuscule iPin fits right into the iPhone's headphone jack, so it doesn't require a battery, and its corresponding app lets you control PowerPoint slides right from your phone. If nothing else, it's good for messing with your coworkers.

iPin Laser Presenter, $52.79, available at Amazon.

Breathalyzer: BACtrack Mobile Smartphone Breathalyzer ($100)

iBlazrMoving to something you hopefully never have to use in the office, the BACtrack Mobile Breathalyzer is exactly what you'd expect: a sensor for measuring how drunk you are that wirelessly delivers its results to an app on your iOS (or Android) device. Stellar Amazon reviews appear to back its claim of using "police-grade" sensor tech, so it looks like a more streamlined way to figure out which weekend nights will require a taxi. 

BACtrack Mobile Smartphone Breathalyzer, $99.95, available at Amazon.

Anemometer: Vaavud ($60)

iBlazrAlthough most people will never need an anemometer — or, a tool for measuring wind speed — having a portable one on hand can be useful for amateur kite surfers, sailors, or storm chasers. The Vaavud Sleipnir is robust, and it serves its one purpose well before feeding its data into an easy-to-navigate app. A less capable yet more affordable model, the Vaavud Mjolnir, is also available.

Vaavud 2, $59.99, available at BiteMyApple.

Carabiner charger: NomadClip ($30)

iBlazrHere's a simple one. The MFi-certified NomadClip is a carabiner, which allows it to hold all of your keys, but it also has a built-in Lightning-to-USB cable, which allows it to charge an iPhone or transmit its data to or from a computer. It isn't complex, but it's effective.

NomadClip Carabiner Clip, $29.95, available at Amazon.

Virtual Keyboard: Celluon Epic Virtual Keyboard ($87)

iBlazrWe're not going to pretend that a virtual keyboard is more accurate or convenient than using a traditional Bluetooth alternative, because it isn't, but it's just so much cooler looking. Cellulon's Epic projects a standard QWERTY keyboard onto any flat surface, and although it isn't as fast as regular old buttons, it genuinely does work as advertised. If you don't plan on using your iPhone (or, again, other compatible devices) for serious work, but want a keyboard that'll wow anyone nearby, this is tough to top.

Cellulon EPIC Ultra-Portable Virtual Keyboard, $86.70, available at Amazon. 

Flash Drive with Storage: Leef iBridge ($60)

iBlazrApple famously refuses to add microSD support to the iPhone, which can make storing photos, videos, or other files tricky over time. Most people can turn the cloud when the gigabytes run out, but if you'd rather not put your faith in some company's servers, the Leef iBridge is a flash drive with built-in Lightning and USB ports.

That means you can use it to take anything off an iOS device, then stash it onto a USB-compatible one (or vice versa) in one go, rather than having to go through more steps than what's necessary. A 16 GB stick runs you $60, but larger capacity ones are out there as well. 

Leef iBRIDGE Mobile Memory Flash Drive (16 GB), $59.99, available at Amazon.