tech accessories

I stumbled on this mirror cell phone charm at one of my favorite Japanese discount stores a few weeks ago and still can't get over how cute and funny it is. It reminds me of the Nintendo DM cell charm (yes, you read right "DM charm") a friend of mine picked up for me in Korea last year.

I love that it's kitschy and geeky, but slightly Victorian and whimsical. Would you use this "who's the fairest of them all" cell phone charm?

The "Oyjai" cell phone charm has been a hit with Strapya readers for a while, but I didn't truly understand the wonder of it until l I saw it in the flesh. Like the Nintendo DM Cell Charm this novelty charm comes straight to geeksugar from Japan via reader chuger. My translation expert tells me that "Oyjai" means "old man," which helps explain the charms online ad: "Have you ever experienced 'Friday night' in shinbashi, Japan? You might see tons of oyaji drunken and making a scene everywhere." And I ask: Is there anything funnier than a drunken man clutching his bottle? As long as it's all fun and games, I think that answer is decidedly no.

If you're a hardcore Nintendo follower you have probably already feasted your eyes on the DS Cell Phone Charm, but for the rest of you here's a geeky - albeit girly - treat. When our resident tech spy wasn't snapping photos of LG ads in Korea and Japan, he managed to pick me up this adorable "Nintendo DM Lite" cell phone charm. Instead of the double LED screens it sports a "Dobble Mirror" so you can check and make sure your lip gloss is popping before making a call. A replica of the Nintendo DS Lite, this Nintendo DM Lite even features the token A, B, X, Y and D-Pads, but sadly does not include the new camera and Face Training game add on or Nintendo Wi-Fi connection. Sigh. A girl can only ask for so much. Is it chic enough to accompany your cell?
Thanks, Chuger!

There are some cell phone charms that can be perceived as semi-useful flair. Take for instance the Hello Kitty privacy sticker, which protects your screen from nosy co-workers and friends, or the Nevermissacall charm that lights up when your phone rings inside your purse. Of course, there are others, like the cell phone cuff, which serves little purpose other than decoration and their ability to catalyst conversations. No one can argue this Pepsi cell phone charm is practical or offers a specific function (no, you can't drink it!), so I'm not sure why anyone would attach it to his or her phone. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I'm a Diet Coke kinda gal, but I don't get it. Is it chic in any way, or does it just say, "I'm a programmer and sit in a dark room with Cheetos and Pepsi all day?"
Source: Tokyo Mango

I know I have made fun of David Beckham, Courteney Cox and Joel Madden for using dorky belt clips to hold their BlackBerries, but there are some acceptable ways to carry your cell phone on your person without looking like the geeky copy guy. While I'd prefer them to be slimmer, I can't find anything terribly offensive about these leather cell necklaces from Strapya World. They come in a variety of colors and would free up your hands and pockets of your cell, while keeping it near. Of course, once you get that call you expected you can always slip it into your purse.