Tag Archives: remote control

The Ultimate Couch Potato Remote

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The Loupe next-gen TV remote goes beyond the capabilities of the average push-button remote, allowing the user to control every aspect of entertainment through a customizable touch-screen interface. Without interrupting what’s playing, users can search the guide, manage recordings, & access media directly from the 1136×640 resolution color display & even take photos or record video with the remote. A voice recognition option also gives the user total hands-free control so you never have to put down the popcorn!

Designers: Sarah Gao & Beata Patasiute

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(The Ultimate Couch Potato Remote was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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  3. Couch Counselling by Danielle Sobik


OPTiM’s Optia Android screensharing and remote control app hands-on

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OPTiM's Optia Android screensharing handson

For anybody who has had to support a friend or loved one through an emotional cellphone crisis, rejoice: your savior in the form of OPTiM's Optia smartphone-to-smartphone remote control has arrived. The premise here is that using a friend based system with invites users can add contacts to the app -- think parents, grandparents -- on their Android handset then simply ask for help or offer to help that friend. The recipient clicks yes, and the remote control session begins.

OPTiM's man at the booth, Taiga, took us through the entire process from adding somebody to your set then connecting and finally controlling the phone. The entire ordeal was fairly quick and smooth considering the congestion of the halls here at Mobile World Congress. We'd bet over WiFi or even LTE the experience would be nothing but smoother. Control of the session gives the helper completes access including home button, back, settings and so forth. Scrolling across screens and apps works exactly as it would on your own device, albeit slower -- but even on a poor cellular connection performance is very good. This is a must have app for anybody that regularly helps others or needs help themselves. The best bit? It is currently completely $free on the Play store. Video tour of it all in action is just below the break.

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iPad & iPhone Controlled RC Battle Tank is the Future of Micro Warfare

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These awesome little R/C tanks can be controlled with your iOS mobile devices. That means that you can have tank wars with all of your gadget-obsessed friends and family. They are modeled on real German army tanks used during Second World War, but these ones are palm-sized.
rc tank
They go by the name RC Tank Combat Raj USB (Or the less exciting “model number RCCOMBAT34.”) They feature infrared sensors that you use to point your cannon at other tanks. Once you hit the enemy tank’s sensor at top of the turret four times, you win. They look like they have nice maneuverability and speed. Much better than that of a real tank.

tiny rc tank

The caterpillar rubber grips on the treads make it adhere to most surfaces and able to scale elevations of up to 30 degrees. These tanks will go for about 5 minutes before they need a charge. Then you just charge via a USB connection.

These awesome little military toys are compatible with all iOS models including iPhone 5, iPhone 4/4S, iPod touch, all iPads and the iPad mini. They retail for ¥2,780 (~$30 USD) each, or ¥4,980 (~$53 USD) for a pair over at Japan’s JTT Online, and you can use a service like White Rabbit Express to import them for a small fee.

[via Damngeeky]

Sky gives remote control powers to its Sky+ Android app, escalates living room warfare

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It's tradition, or an old charter, or something, that no self-respecting geek would ever surrender their TV zapper or their smartphone. Fortunately for Sky customers, those two things are now one and the same. The company has tweaked its Sky+ Android app to offer the same remote control functions found on the iOS version, letting users change channels, play, pause and rewind the picture. The update meanders out from today, and will work so long as your Sky+HD box is connected to the same WiFi network as your phone or tablet.

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iSpy R/C Tank Lets You See Where You’re Driving

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Remote control toys that are controlled by an iPhone or an iPad are nothing new. We’ve written about remote control cars using smartphones as controllers in the past. Anoter remote-controlled toy designed to work with the iPhone or the iPad is controller has turned up called the iSpy Tank.

ispy tank

The coolest part about this remote controlled tank is not that you can control it with your iOS device, but that the remote-controlled tank also has an integrated camera. This lets you see exactly what the tank is seeing on the screen of your mobile device. That means you can control the car without line-of-sight to the vehicle, from a range of up to 20 to 30 meters (~65 to 98 ft.) away.

The remote-controlled toy can also capture still images or record videos. Control is handled using an app that runs on the smartphone and the app can send the video directly to a computer using your Wi-Fi network. The iSpy Tank is available right now for $99(USD) over at iHelicopters.

Tethercell Bluetooth Battery: Power over Power

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I never expected to find Bluetooth connectivity in a AA battery, but not only does this device now exist, it also seems quite practical. Once it infiltrates the battery compartment of your gadgets you can remotely toggle those gadgets on or off and more. This smart battery is called the Tethercell.

tethercell bluetooth enabled battery

The inventors of the Tethercell – Trey Madhyastha and Kellan O’Connor – chose to make their device in the size of a AA battery because they claim that 60% of “primary battery-operated devices” use that size. Aside from the Bluetooth radio, the Tethercell is packed with other electronics, like a microcontroller, a temperature sensor and a voltage comparator. In turn, the Tethercell is powered by a AAA battery. So what can it do? Together with an iOS app and a Bluetooth 4.0-enabled iOS device, you can use the Tethercell to turn one or multiple gadgets on or off from up to 100ft. away. You can also schedule or set a timer to power off your gadgets and monitor your gadget’s battery level.

Pledge at least $35 (USD) on Indiegogo to reserve a Tethercell. Although it does reduce the available power of a device – you’re essentially replacing one of its AA batteries with a AAA that’s also powering something else – the convenience it provides could be worthwhile for many people – especially adults who want to limit their kids’ playtime with electronic toys. Not to mention its potential for pranks is quite high.

[via Ubergizmo]

Romo gen 3 gains Lightning connector, we go hands-on (video)

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Romo gen 3 gains Lightning connector, we go handson video

Remember Romo, the adorable iPhone-faced track-equipped robot? We met up with Romotive in Vegas at CES 2013 to play with the 3rd generation model that was recently launched on Kickstarter. The company also gave us an exclusive first look at a 3rd generation prototype with Lightning connector. We sat down with CEO Keller Rinaudo to discuss the new robot and catch up on what the team's achieved over the past year.

As a refresher, we first encountered Romo when we covered it for our Insert Coin feature in October 2011. Back then, the robot used rudimentary analog electronics and plugged into the iPhone's headphone jack. After a successful initial Kickstarter campaign, Romotive moved from Seattle to Las Vegas where we caught up the team on our stage during CES 2012. The 2nd generation model was available both pre-assembled and it kit form with support for iOS, Android and Windows Phone. It was upgraded to digital electronics but still used the audio interface to control its tracks and featured hacker-friendly auxiliary ports. Hit the break for more.

Gallery: Romo gen 3 hands-on

Continue reading Romo gen 3 gains Lightning connector, we go hands-on (video)

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Freehand Concept Turns Anything into a Remote Control, is Even Easier to Lose

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The first TV remote control was released in 1951. The couch potato’s best friend has seen some improvements since then, but mostly in terms of its performance and capabilities e.g. no wires, more buttons and wider compatibility. A recent design project took a look at improving the physical form and ergonomics of the remote control as well. Here’s one such concept, called the Freehand.

freehand concept by Cleo Jacquet

Designed by ECAL student Cleo Jacquet, the Freehand consists of a pair of small buttons with suction cups on its back. Instead of coming up with a better alternative to the traditional stick form of the remote, the Freehand lets you define the shape of your remote. Do you always have a drink with you when you’re watching TV? Then stick the Freehand on your drink and make it your remote. Stick ‘em on your tablet or smartphone so you can multitask. Stick ‘em on your dog. Because you’re a free spirit.

freehand concept by Cleo Jacquet 2

Obviously the Freehand is way too impractical in its current state. But like the MaKey MaKey and AnyTouch, it’s a sign that the future of consumer electronics could have both software and hardware that can be tailored to our individual tastes. You can check out the other remote control concepts on Wallpaper.


Japanese Company To Launch One-Man Electric Helicopter

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A Japanese company called Hirobo has announced their plans to launch a one-man helicopter that runs on batteries. The counter-rotating flying vehicle can be remote operated or flown by a pilot, and reaches speeds of 62mph for up to 30 minutes. The reason you’d want to be able to remote control it is in cases of rescue operations where you could just fly it up to the person in need, have them hop on, and bring them back to safety. The silent operation of the electric motor would also help locate a person hypothetically crying out for help.

The HX-1 is an ambitious and costly project. $125 million will have been poured into it by the time its 2021 rollout comes about. The reason for the long development time? Mostly regulatory, according to the president of the RC helicopter manufacturer, Kotaro Matsuzaka. But it’s not a simple concept either as a working prototype is slated for testing in early 2013. Should things go as planned, an unmanned version would cost 10,000,000 yen (US$125,000) while the one-seater would fetch three times as much.

VIA [ NewLaunches ]


Gizmon Adds a Remote Camera Shutter to iOS Devices

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If you’d like to snap pictures while standing away from your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, this nifty little device makes it easy to do so. Gizmon’s Remote Shutter simply plugs into your gadget’s headphone jack and provides you with a remote you can use from several feet away.

gizmon iphone remote shutter1

To keep things lighthearted, the remote is designed to look an old canister of film. While its retractable cord isn’t long enough to let you stand on the other side of the room, it’s perfect for letting your grab high-quality images when your device is on a tripod or mounting bracket, since you can snap pics without touching the screen and potentially shaking the camera – especially important in dark scenes. Another advantage of the corded design is that it’s compatible with all camera apps, whereas the Bluetooth remotes out there require software developers to modify their apps to be compatible.

gizmon iphone remote shutter 2

The Gizmon Remote Shutter is fully compatible with the iPhone 3GS/4/4S/5 as well as the iPod Touch and iPad 2 or higher. You can grab one now over on Amazon for $23(USD).