Sometimes the simplest, why-didn't-I-think-of-that gadgets are the ones that get passed over, yet can be the most useful. Case in point: I almost walked right by the CQ booth until the lively rep sucked me in with his pitch on some clever mobile accessories.

The first from this brand spanking new company is the AirGuard case, a standard, impact-resistant rubber case for the iPhone that has ribs on the side to slow down the impact in the event of a fall. The contoured design makes the phone comfortable to hold up to the ear as well. This is all great, but quite frankly, big deal. What really sets this case apart is the version of the case that adds a magnetized socket on the back of the case that secures firmly to a magnetized caribiner clip or lanyard (two separate packages include one or the other) when it's placed near by it. Press down on a small lever to release the phone. The concept is the same with the lanyard, which secures your precious phone around your neck like a fashion accessory. It hangs upside down so you can pull the phone up to read texts, take photos, or compose messages without having to remove it.

Products like this have existed in the past, but arguably before their time. First off, phones were much heavier years ago than they are today. Second, the magnetized link is what really makes this "cool;" you can hook and unhook your phone easily, with one hand, instead of fumbling with clips. As a female, while holster cases can essentially accomplish the same task, they aren't as feminine as the cute clip. What's more, men often have to remove a holster when they sit down. The clip can also just as easily be hooked to a handbag as it can be to a belt loop.

At about $30 for either package, the value proposition is there as well. Though at such a low price point, one would have to wonder why CQ doesn't just package all three accessories in one case, allowing consumers to easily switch between lanyard or caribiner style depending on the situation. A better idea, in fact, might be to sell the socket, caribiner, and lanyard together, and allow customers to adhere the former to their own choice of case. But it's still early days.

Another stand-out product for CQ is the Zipline iPad case that looks just like a standard folio case, but contains neat patent-pending technology. In the outer layer of the spine is a magnetic piece of fabric that can be pulled up to allow you to carry the iPad like a handbag. When you're ready for use, the strap retracts back into the case and the top portion sticks to the magnet so it's not hanging down and getting in the way. Price ranges from $39.99 up to $179.99 depending on the kind of leather used.

Check out a demo of both products below.

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