Nowadays, you have three gift-giving choices to help an iPad or iPhone owner get more fun or functionality from his or her iDevice: Give an app, accessory or appcessory. An appcessory is a special app-and-accessory combo that transforms an iPad or iPhone into a wide range of desirable things, from a toy to a fitness monitor and remote controller. So far, you can get most appcessory apps for free at Apple’s App Store and buy their companion accessories from major retailers, including the Apple Store and Amazon.
In the process of curating the best iPad and iPhone Gift Guides and Ideas elsewhere, it’s become increasingly clear that 2011 is the “Year of the Appcessory.” Compared to previous years, many more app accessories have landed on tech reviewers’ and enthusiasts’ gift guides and recommendations. What’s more, the word “appcessory” is now being used much more frequently — even comfortably, as though it has always existed.
If the rumor is true, Apple Stores everywhere may soon include dedicated appcessory sections for your shopping pleasure. So, brace yourself. This year onwards, app accessories will likely rock your iPhone or iPad with the same delightful force previously exerted separately by apps and accessories. That’s a whole lot of goodness to look forward to. And I sincerely hope that this post helps you get a jump start, especially in the fun department.
2011′s Most Recommended Toy and Game Appcessory Gifts
In this article, I shine the spotlight on the toy and game appcessories that have repeatedly made it to gift guide lists in 2011. As mentioned in Part 2 (Health and Fitness), Part 3 (Music and Entertainment) and Part 4 (Remote Controllers and Monitors) of this series, they are presumably your top choices in the marketplace today. Each app accessory has a short video description and links to gift guides, reliable reviews and purchase options. Prices are MSRP only and subject to change through time– click on links to find out current prices.
May this guide help you make quick, well-informed gift-giving decisions this holiday season and beyond! Please share this post with anyone who might enjoy or benefit from it. If I’ve missed something, leave me a comment below to let me know.
Top iPad- and iPhone-Controlled Toys and Games
HappiTaps Beary Happi ($19.99)
- Recommended as gifts by A Mom Knows Best, My Four Monkeys, Grinning Cheek to Cheek, among others.
- See reviews by The Maven of Social Media, Growing My Kids Reviews, Real Moms Real Views, Simple,
- Purchase from INFANTINO here use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
Disney Pixar Cars 2 AppMates (from $12.99)
- Recommended as gifts by Apple, CNET, TheSuburnbanMom, GottaBeMobile, TechSavvyMama, iPadAccessories, Wired (GeekDad), among many others.
- See reviews by by iLounge, Engadget, Wired and Pocket-lint.
- Purchase from BEST BUY here: Single pack/McQueen or 2-pack.
- Purchase from AMAZON here: Single pack/McQueen, 2-pack/McQueen-Shiftwell, 2-pack/Mater-McMissile or 2-pack/Todoroki-Bernoulli.
- Or, use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
Crayola ColorStudio HD iMarker Digital Stylus ($29.99)
- Recommended as gifts by MommyGoggles, TechSavvyMama, Education.com, GottaBeMobile, Good Housekeeping, PCWorld, Network World, among many others.
- See reviews by TUAW, Wired (GeekDad), Appletell and iLounge.
- Purchase from BEST BUY here, from AMAZON here, or use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
LEGO Life of George ($29.99)
- Recommended as gifts by Wired (GeekDad), Softonic, Associated Press, among many others.
- See reviews by Time, New York Times, Tecca, Geek.com, PCMag, BSCKids, MSNBC Gadgetbox, Children”s Technology Review, Wired (Geek Dad), CafeMom and ZDNet.
- Purchase from AMAZON here or use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
AppBlaster for iPhone and iPod Touch ($24.99)
- Recommended as gifts by Engadget, MacLife, PCWorld, Laptop Magazine, among many others.
- See reviews by SAI Business Insider, Laptop Magazine, Pocket-lint, MacLife, Engadget, GadgetHelpline, Wired, IntoMobile, Pocket-lint and Tech Guide.
- Purchase from BEST BUY here, from AMAZON here or use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
Sphero Robotic Ball ($129.99)
- Recommended as gifts by TUAW, iPadAccessories, Digital Trends, Electronic House, among others.
- See reviews by Digital Trends, Geek.com, Engadget and Wired.
- Purchase from AMAZON here or use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
Silverlit Ferrari Enzo for iPod, iPhone and iPad ($79.99)
- Recommended as gifts by Apple, About.com, CarID, among others.
- See reviews by Ubergizmo, ChipChick and Motor Authority.
- Purchase from BEST BUY here, from AMAZON here or use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
Rover App-Controlled Spy Tank with Night Vision ($149.99)
- Recommended as gifts by CNBC, AppCraver, Bed Bath & Beyond, Cool Material, among others.
- See reviews by Gizmodo, Wired (Geek Dad) and iLounge.
- Purchase from AMAZON here or use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
AppSpeed iOS-Controlled Monster Truck ($69.99)
- Recommended as gifts by ToyXplosion, DotNetMobile, Mobility Digest, among others.
- See reviews by Wired, Slash Gear, Geeky Gadgets and iLounge.
- Purchase from BEST BUY here (black, red), or from AMAZON here (black, red), or use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
Helo TC Helicopter ($49.99)
- Recommended as gifts by GeekSugar, PCWorld, Tecca, iPad Accessories, PC Advisor, ChipChick, Real Simple, UGO, among many others.
- See reviews by Wired, TouchArcade, AppAdvice and iLounge.
- Purchase from BEST BUY here, from AMAZON here or use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
Parrot AR Drone Quadricopter ($299.99)
- Recommended as gifts by Apple, PCWorld, MacLife, iPad Accessories,The Globe and Mail, Laptop Magazine, among many others.
- See reviews by TouchArcade, Engadget, iLounge and TUAW.
- Purchase from AMAZON here (orange/green, orange/yellow, orange/blue) or use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
Tankbot Action Figure Toy ($24.99)
- Recommended as gifts by Wired, FT Tech Hub, TNW Gadgets, Action Figure Insider, among others.
- See reviews by Slash Gear and Gizmodo.
- Purchase from AMAZON here (black, orange, green, blue) or use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
Pinball Magic ($39.99)
- Recommended as gifts by Stuff, iPhone Life, Smashing Hub, PCWorld, MSN Tech and Gadgets, Inc., MacLife, Smashing Hub, among many others.
- See reviews by InventorSpot, Ubergizmo, TUAW, Touch Arcade, MacLife, iPhone Life, PadGadget, and Mobile Magazine.
- Purchase from AMAZON here or use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
ION iCade Arcade Cabinet for iPad ($99.99)
- Recommended as gifts by TUAW, TiPb, PCWorld Australia, TechRepublic, CNET, UGO, CBS News, GottaBeMobile, PC Advisor, Tech Digest, DVICE, MSNBC, GeekSugar, Laptop Magazine, among many others.
- See reviews by PCMag, TouchArcade, TUAW and Engadget.
- Purchase from BEST BUY here, from AMAZON here, or use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
Atari Arcade ($59.99)
- Recommended as gifts by Time, Laptop Magazine, PCWorld, Cool Mom Tech, among many more.
- See reviews by PCMag, Engadget, Wired (Geek Dad) and ZDNet.
- Purchase from AMAZON here or use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
Joystick-It iPad Arcade ($17.00)
- Recommended as gifts by Houzz, GottaBeMobile, Network World, Search Engine Journal, among others.
- See reviews by 148apps, TUAW, PCMag, Appletell and MacLife.
- Purchase from AMAZON here or any of the links provided by gift guide reviewers.
Fling and Fling Mini ($29.95, $24.95)
- Recommended as gifts by TiPb, TUAW, Techlicious, among others.
- See reviews by 148apps, Appletell, Slide to Play and MacLife.
- Purchase from AMAZON here (ninja, ultraviolet, ice, 2-pack/ninja, 2-pack/ultraviolet, 2-pack/ice, mini-2-pack/ninja, mini-2-pack/clear-black), or use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
The GameChanger ($79.99)
- Recommended as gifts by PCWorld, GottaBeMobile, iPad Accessories, among others.
- See reviews by Engadget, Coolest Gadgets and Mobile Magazine.
- Purchase from BEST BUY here, from AMAZON here, or use any of the links provided in the gift guides above.
Duo Pop and Duo Plink ($39.95, $29.95)
- Recommended as gifts by GottaBeMobile, MTV Geek, Cool Mom Tech, Passion For Savings, among others.
- See reviews by MTV Geek, PadGadget, AppCraver and WSJ.
- Purchase from AMAZON here (pop, plink) or any of the links provided by gift guide reviewers.
Awesome post!
Love your articles, great ideas, and great advice. Keep it up! Thanks for the info on Lego Life of George. My 11 year old daughter has been nagging me about this. Just remembered as I saw it. Can’t wait to get it for her this Christmas. I may have to give it a try myself.
Thanks for stopping by, Liz, and I am so glad to have helped jog your memory. Would love to see the look on your daughter’s face when she gets LLoG on Christmas day. Brush up! The timed, two-player mode is not as easy as it looks! She may beat you! But I trust you’ll have fun in any case. Merry Christmas!
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuber awesome can i get them all for free
thanks for this
alright, its cool, I haven’t read it all but Ill be back later
I will look forward to reading more of your work.
Great stuff, just great! Some truly superb information and very useful.
Thanks for your concepts.
Hi Cheers .. that solved the difficulty a superb deal ..:)
Basically a beaming visitant beneath to share the enjoy
I’ve been previously looking on the web a whole lot far more than Three hours of late, but We in no way identified out any kind of fascinating write-up like yours.
I admire the important information you offer inside your articles. Great Job!
Inventive writing capability has motivated me, thank you ! Plumbing Hoffman Estates
You could possibly have the very greatest site content material within the globe
Awww. You’re too kind. Thanks for stopping by and visit often.