Staying Connected: Five tablet and cellphone accessories end-users want

By Ashley Chiaradio

Strength in numbers

Two is better than one! That saying also applies for tablet and cellphone accessories. Products with multiple functions are even better, Paul Hirsch, vice president for Hirsch Gifts Inc., Houston, explained. “The future of promotional products is in cellphone and tablet accessories with multiple functions. The Illuma 4-in-1 Lantern & Power Bank is a perfect example of a cellphone/tablet accessory that does it all,” he said. “With a lantern, emergency signal, flashlight and power bank, it’s a surprise this product can’t also wash your dishes.”

Along with multifunctional products, packs that include more than one product also are gaining popularity. Lauren Kim, project manager for OrigAudio in Costa Mesa, Calif., mentioned OrigAudio’s new PowerKit. “It comes with a 2,200 mAh power bank, a multi-cable cord, a wall unit and a car charger,” Kim said. “All units are customized in full-color and come with free custom packaging. This all-in-one product is an ideal gift for new employees, staff kits and executive giveaways.”

Selling technology products, like tablet and cellphone accessories, isn’t hard—but since there are so many different products to choose from, it can start to get confusing. We spoke to three suppliers to find out what tablet and cellphone accessories end-users really will use.

Selfie Sticks

Selfies, photographs that people take of themselves, usually with a smartphone, are so popular nowadays that they actually have their own song dedicated to them—“#SELFIE” by The Chainsmokers. But human arms only extend so far and that’s where the selfie stick comes into play. Hirsch Gift Inc.’s Selfie Stick with Wireless Shutter Button extends to 3.5', fits almost any smartphone and connects wirelessly, so selfie-lovers can take the photo with a shutter button on the stick. Paul Hirsch, vice president for Hirsch Gift Inc., Houston, explained that this promotional product can work in many different situations. “Anyone who has a corporate party or event can use selfie sticks,” Hirsch said. “Selfie sticks are cool and fun, and right now every corporation wants to be a part of the movement. The end-buyers of this fun product have spanned from distilleries to oil and gas companies.” Hirsch also feels the trendy product won’t be going away anytime soon. “As long as people are taking selfies, selfie sticks are here to stay,” he said. “Due to the high current demand, we are projecting popularity for the next few years.”

Power Banks

According to the Cisco Visual Networking Index: Global Media Data Traffic Forecast Update, average smartphone usage grew 45 percent in 2014. Also, the number of mobile-connected tablets increased 1.6-fold to 74 million in 2014. That’s a lot of tablets and smartphones being used, which means a lot of batteries are being drained. Kim Collins, director of marketing for Crown Products, Mobile, Ala., explained why power banks are so popular right now. “We are living in a world of staying connected,” Collins said. “Portable power banks are ideal for people on the go and [who] need a quick charge for their mobile device.” Collins added that power banks are perfect for the travel, mobile and entertainment industries.

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Ashley Chiaradio Author's page

Ashley Chiaradio is the Senior Content Strategist at Total Retail. Ashley has been creating content for more than 7 years, and provides a unique insight in covering the retail industry having worked directly for retailers in the past. She’s passionate about profiling women leadership in the space.