Tech the halls with accessories for smartphones, tablets

What to buy a smartphone and tablet owner? Accessories, of course.

Loved ones who dote over their smartphones or touchscreen tablets will likely appreciate add-ons that offer added functionality, protection and perhaps fashion to their favorite mobile device.

Many hundreds of accessories made its debut in 2011, some designed for a specific model -- such as a fitted case for an Android phone or an Apple tablet -- while others can be used with any number of products.

We'll leave out the obvious ones, like Bluetooth headsets for hands-free calling, but the following is a look at many other stellar options for the gift-giving season.

Protection and personalization

Decorate your favourite smartphone or tablet with hundreds of different designs. Toronto-based Gelaskins ($14.95 to $29.95; gelaskins.com) are high-quality skins that affix to your digital device to give it some unique flare; you can also download free, matching wallpaper to display behind the icons. A percentage of each sale goes to the artist, plus you can upload your own design to create a custom, one-of-a-kind skin for a loved one's tech toy. If desired, these skins can be removed and reapplied (with videos on how to do that at their website).

If you like to take your smartphone with you everywhere — even to the beach, camping or boating — the Grace Digital Audio Eco Pod ($49.99; gracedigital.com) is a rugged "all terrain" case for Android, Blackberry and iPhone that's IPX7-certified to keep water out (at 3 feet of water for 30 minutes). IPX7 waterproof earbuds are also included, which plugs into the orange case's waterproof headset jack.

Fun and games

iPad owners with a nostalgic leaning toward classic video games will no doubt fall for the charm of Ion Audio's iCade ($99.99; ionaudio.com), a miniature coin-op arcade cabined with retro red-topped joystick and eight buttons. Download the Atari Classics app (featuring Centipede, Pong, Asteroids and others), sync to the iCade via Bluetooth and insert the iPad or iPad 2 to get your game on -- circa 1981. No quarters required.

Android and iPhone owners can download a free app and control the Parrot AR.Drone ($299.95; parrot.com), a flying "quadricopter" designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Not only can you fly this RC toy using your preferred touchscreen device but there are a variety of game types, support for multiplayer matches and even a front-view camera with a live video feed that can be seen on your screen.

Ideal for iPhone owners with a penchant for action games, Appfinity AppBlaster ($19.99; spinmaster.com) from Toronto's Spin Master lets you dock an iPhone or iPod touch into a toy gun and use dual triggers — which then presses down on the screen to fire — in order to take down various enemies. The accessory works with seven different apps, such as Alien Attack, which uses "augmented reality" technology to superimpose flying ETs onto your real-world environment.

How do you make the iPad even more fun for young kids? The iGuy from Speck ($39.95; speckproducts.com) is a foam case for iPad and iPad 2 that can stand on its own two feet, literally. Available in blue, lime or orange, the iGuy adds some personality to a tot's favourite tablet and while not advertised, the iGuy also fits some Android tablets, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Music and movies

Ideal for virtually all platforms — Apple's iOS, Android, BlackBerry and Windows devices — the Seagate GoFlex Satellite ($199.99; seagate.com) is a portable, wireless hard drive that can stream up to three different movies to three different devices at the same time. You'll first connect this 500GB drive to your computer and load it up with media — such as video, photos, music and documents — and then take it to go. It creates its own personal hotspot for other devices to join via the web browser, before you see the list of what you can access.

Starting at $39.99, the House of Marley collection (thehouseofmarley.com) of branded earbuds and headphones sound great, look cool and a portion of proceeds goes to the 1Love organization. Two standout over-the-ear pairs: the Exodus Harvest ($129.99), which features a birch wood band, leather earcups and smartphone controls on the long tangle-free fabric cord, while the studio-quality Destiny TTR ($349.99) noise-cancelling headphones should "satisfy your soul," as the late Bob Marley sang.

The Vuzix Wrap 1200 ($499.99; vuzix.com) is a pair of sunglasses-style video eyewear that, when plugged into your digital device, simulates a 75-inch television as seen from 10 feet away. These glasses also support 3D content and widescreen video (16: 9 aspect ratio) and includes onscreen controls and noise-isolating earphones. An iOS plug, component and composite adaptors are in the box, but an HDMI adaptor will launch at next month's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Also consider speaker docks for a smartphone or tablet lovers, which are becoming wireless — so you can use your device at the same time you stream music. iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users might prefer a high-quality AirPlay-enabled speaker, which lets you play your music wirelessly over a Wi-Fi network. Examples include the iHome iW1 ($299.99; ihomeaudio.com), B&W Zeppelin Air ($599.99; bowers-wilkins.com) and the Klipsch G-17 Air Wireless Sound System ($549.99; klipsch.com). Those in the market for a Bluetooth-enabled product, for non iOS devices, might consider the Creative ZiiSound D5x Wireless Bluetooth Speaker ($299.99; creative.com).

Power and productivity

Protect your favourite smartphone and give it a power boost at the same time with the aptly named PowerSkin line of products. Ranging in price from $49.99 to $79.99, these one-piece, non-slip grip cases are made from impact-resistant silicone rubber, while the battery can double the phone's life between charges (though it varies slightly between models). These cases also include a small micro USB recharge port (and cable) to connect to a computer or AC outlet and a LED status light that shows you how much power remains. A list of all supported models is at power-skin.com.

Great for students and business travelers alike, the Verbatim Wireless Mobile Keyboard ($79.99) is ideal for long-form typing on virtually any Bluetooth-enabled touchscreen smartphone or tablet. When you're on the go, this full-size QWERTY keyboard folds up to half its size and slips into a matching black case, but when you want to type take notes, write a long email or type an essay or sales report, simply open it up, turn it on and prop up your device with an optional stand, if desired. A much lighter solution than lugging a laptop, this black or white wireless keyboard works up to 9 hours between charges and includes handy media keys to easily play, pause and navigate through all your music.