Pimp My iPhone: Ten Ways to Break the Mold

Is your iPhone looking a little...drab?  Good news--you can liven your pricey little gadget up! How?  Check out these ten ways to Pimp your iPhone:

A golden phone

If you really want your friends to know that you are on the phone, get this golden handset.  You won't look ridiculous walking down the street using this.  (Site, in French)

Stylish science

Chris Tangora used optical and electron microscopes to get a real feel for creating a tough yet sleek iPhone case mod.  Using a titanium-nitrate (or TiN) process to coat the device in a super-solid protective coating, Tangora's mod blends science and style in a beautiful way. (Full article)

Diamonds are forever (on your iPhone)

Mercedes-Benz and Swarovski are instantly associated with high class style.  Dress your iPhone in a crystallized Swarovski Elements iPhone pouch from the Mercedes GLK Collection, and make your friends (even more) jealous. (Full article)

Hey, (diamond) stud!

Like diamonds? Got $15,000 to spare?  If you answered yes to both, consider tailoring your iPhone in designer Mathieu Cattelan's diamond-studded leather case. With 272 diamonds of total 6.8 karats on luscious high-quality leather, your iPhone will just scream: "PIMP." (Full article)

Add a little shine

Diamonds not your (or your wallet's) thing?  A less expensive alternative ($300 US)  that was introduced to our Russian friends is turning the Apple logo on the iPhone's back shell into a flashlight.  Not only will this mod not kill your battery, you can also adjust the brightness.  (Full article)

Picture this

The iPhone takes a decent picture, for a phone.  But with this telescope mod, it can take spectacular mobile photos.  Focus, get close ups, and marvel at the improvement in clarity and color.  Just don't use it for anything that can possibly get you arrested.  (Full article)

iFridge (Or: Supersize your pimpage)

Remember when you used to put pictures you drew in art class on the fridge?  You're grown up now, so put your iPhone on there instead.  The iPod Fridge-Freezer, which also works with the iPhone, features a built-in docking station and speakers so you can listen to your favorite jams (or radio talk show host) while you cook/eat. (Full article)

Give your iPhone some game

If you long for the feel of an old-school game pad, check out Marware's Game Grip. Depending on your preferences, it can be a real Godsend...or a real eyesore. (Full article)

Type steady

If you can't hack the iPhone's virtual keyboard...hack it!  This mod connects what appears to be an external Palm keyboard to the iPhone. (Full article)

Phone responsibly

Your iPhone can become your guardian angel with duiPhone.  Just blow into the mouthpiece, and the iPhone will calculate your blood-alcohol level.  From there, you'll learn whether or not it's time for you to gather some cab money or ask a good friend to haul your drunken self home. (Full article)

There are plenty of ways to liven up your iPhone.  From the handy to the, er, hideous, your iPhone can break the bleak black mold with a variety of hacks, mods, and apparatuses.

Have any iPhone mods you'd like to share?  Sound off in the comments section below.

Also, check out more iPhone and iPod designs.