Disclosed herein are visual notification devices that are capable of wirelessly connecting to a mobile device to provide visual and/or audible notification to users of status changes on their mobile device, such as receipt of SMS, MMS, phone calls, voice mails, calendar appointments, and battery status in a location different from that of the mobile device. In operation a user can place the device in or near a working space (e.g. on a desk, book shelf or table), plug it into an automobile charging port, or strap it on the user's arm, so that the device is in a location different than the user's mobile device The user can visually and/or audibly notified of status changes by simply glancing at the device. The notifications can be user customizable through a user application on the mobile device. Additional user interfaces can be incorporated into the device to provide a set of remote controls for various operation of the mobile device. The user therefore need not repeatedly and continuously open and close the mobile device to determine whether there has been a status change, which is not only time consuming, an unnecessary consumption of battery life, but can also be burdensome and a hazardous distraction.