Ubergizmo, one of my fave gadget sites, discovered a unique cell phone accessory yesterday.

Mopods are characters that live in transparent domes and spin and flash when your cell phone receives a call or text message. Why would this come in handy? Well, if your phone isn't bluetooth-capable (like mine), or you're stuck in a noisy environment and can't hear your cell phone ring, just attach the Mopod to your cell phone to visually see your calls coming in.

These battery-powered Mopods come in six fun characters: Devil, Puppy, Kitten, Monster, Penguin, and Monkey. Each measures 6cm(H) x 2.3cm(W) x 2.3cm(D). According to Firebox.com, Mopods are already a hit in Japan.

Mopods sell for £4.95 ($9.30 USD) and are compatible with GSM networks including T Mobile, O2, Orange, Virgin, and Vodafone. Each has a response frequency range of 800 to 1600 MHz.