2016-06-23T15:28:00ZWhen you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.
When it comes to wireless technology, WiFi gets most of the glory. And that makes sense; WiFi is what connects our computers, phones, and tablets to the internet.
Slowly but surely, though, Bluetooth has become an easy and energy-efficient way to connect our devices to different accessories.
The world of Bluetooth accessories is vast, and while some product categories, like speakers, are full of products, some are more one-of-a-kind. These six accessories might not be for everyone, but they'll give you a sense of what's out there. That said, if you're an aspiring soccer star, ice fisherman, or futurist, these products are just for you.
A soccer ball
This isn't your parent's soccer ball. If you're looking for a data-driven way to help improve your striking accuracy, the miCoach from adidas will do just that.
Sensors in the ball can judge your kick's speed, spin, and trajectory and send that data to the adidas smart ball app. Reviews of both the ball and app are very positive, with one caveat: The ball needs to be stationary before you kick it for it to work. This means it won't be able to accurately gather data about drop kicks. The other problem was that for a while the miCoach only worked with iOS devices, an Android app has since been released.
adidas miCoach Smart Ball, $216.45, available at Amazon
Phone gloves
Three buttons built into the left glove let you accept or decline phone calls, and a microphone and speaker built into the pinky and thumb let you communicate without reaching into your pocket.
As you might expect, this miracle of technology is kind of hit or miss; reviews on Amazon are split right down the middle. When people receive a working pair, they seem to really like them, but it seems like some just refuse to work at all. If you're looking for a slightly-less techy, but still useful pair of gloves for texting in cold weather, I picked a pair of these up last winter and have been really pleased with them.
Hi-Fun Hi-Call Bluetooth Glove, $24.99, available at Amazon
An ice fishing tip on
Any ice fishermen out there? This accessory attaches to your tip on and sends your phone an alert when there's any activity. The benefit of having this done through Bluetooth is that if you're somewhere remote, you don't need any phone reception for it to work. Those who have used it seem to really like it, and while there were initially some concerns about its range, those problems seem to have been addressed by the manufacturer.
Ice fishing Tip Up Alert Transmitter, $69.99, available at Amazon
A floating speaker
Speakers are easily the most common Bluetooth accessory, we know, we've tried a bunch of them. What separates this one from LSoug is that it floats, thanks to magnets built into the speaker and its base.
While floating the speaker spins, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The reviews on Amazon don't mention the speaker's sound quality, but this more in-depth YouTube video review breaks the speaker's functionality down nicely. It probably won't be as nice as more standard-looking speakers, but it's probably better used as a conversation piece on your desk.
LSoug Portable Wireless Bluetooth Floating Levitating Maglev Speaker, $109.99, available at Amazon
A notification fob
The Ditto is a small clip-on fob for people who want an unobtrusive way to get their notifications, and cut down on the number of times they check their phone. The Ditto itself connects with an app that lets you select which apps and notification types you want it to work with. Then, the next time you receive one of those notifications, the Ditto vibrates to let you know to check your phone.
In practice it seems to either really work for people or it doesn't. The Ditto's clip seems to have broken for more than one person, but in the year since it launched, Simple Matters, the device's manufacturer, seems to have made some improvements.
As someone who can't live without notifications on their wrist, I think a Pebble would probably be a better investment, but this would work if you're dead-set against the idea of smartwatches.
Ditto, $36.99, available at Amazon
A pressure cooker
It's easy for a company to add wireless connectivity to a device and claim that it's "smart", regardless of product category. In the case of a pressure cooker, it actually makes sense, overcooking food is both wasteful and not tasty.
The Instant Pot pairs with your phone, and lets you adjust its cooking clock and temperature through an app. Other than that, it functions just like any standard pressure cooker. Even the negative reviews on Amazon praise the overall construction and functionality of the Instant Pot itself, the only problems they've had were with its corresponding app. I checked the App Store and the app still seems to be a little hit or miss, but it is updated fairly regularly and newer reviews are generally more positive.
Instant Pot Bluetooth-Enabled Multifunctional Pressure Cooker, $139.99, available at Amazon
Brandt Ranj Brandt is a tech reporter for Business Insider. He previously worked as an associate editor for ReadRetro.com. He graduated with a degree in journalism from Le Moyne College in 2013. Read more Read less Read the original article on Insider Picks. Copyright 2016. Follow Insider Picks on Twitter.ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnpJqwqXvCqKalZZKhwqbAzqiroWWkmrCpecaam6CdpKh6c3yQb2Rv