Tag Archives: remote control

Satechi BT Media Remote steers your iOS media habits, summons Siri via Bluetooth

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Satechi BT Media Remote steers your iOS media habits, summons Siri
Sometimes you just don't feel like getting up to flip through that Yacht Rock playlist on Spotify while your Apple slate rests comfortably in its dock. Satechi is looking to prolong your relaxation with its BT Media Remote for your iPhone, iPad or Mac. The accessory does exactly what you'd expect -- it allows you to peruse your audio and video libraries on a Bluetooth-enabled iOS device while connected to a TV, docking station or your car's stereo. On top of the usual remote functions, the accessory can be used as a remote camera shutter control for those all-important group shots and the home button can summon your smartphone's personal assistant. Interested? You can snag yours now for a mere $40 via the source link below.

Continue reading Satechi BT Media Remote steers your iOS media habits, summons Siri via Bluetooth

Satechi BT Media Remote steers your iOS media habits, summons Siri via Bluetooth originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 07:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eugene Polley, co-creator of the wireless TV remote, passes away aged 96

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Eugene Polley, co-creator of the wireless TV remote, passes away aged 96Eugene Polley, inventor of the wireless remote control has passed away aged 96. Working for Zenith Electronics, he developed the FlashMatic control in 1955, using beams of light directed at photo-sensors in a television to change channel or volume. Like all pioneering technology it had some quirks -- it couldn't distinguish between the light from the remote and direct sunlight, causing inadvertent channel changes during summer days. Dr. Robert Adler (1913 - 2007) superseded the technology with his ultrasonic "clicker," but Polley's system would be reborn with the advent of infra-red remotes. He subsequently went on to work on the push-button radio and helped to develop the video disc -- the predecessor of DVD. Both men were honored with Emmy Awards in 1997 and countless other plaudits for their engineering achievement, as well as knowing that a sizable proportion of the planet use their work on a daily, nay hourly basis. Our thoughts are with his family.

Continue reading Eugene Polley, co-creator of the wireless TV remote, passes away aged 96

Eugene Polley, co-creator of the wireless TV remote, passes away aged 96 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 13:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Wall-E Toy Controlled by a 1983 Portable Computer

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Old technology meets new technology here, and in this case they can actually interface very well despite their age difference. YouTuber Aliencurv modified an old 1983 TRS-80 portable computer with 20kb of memory to control a 2012 Wall-E robot. I hear ya. That’s crazy and pointless you say. I agree. And it’s still awesome. Wall E
With the easy addition of a Bluetooth module, it can intercept the TRS-80′s keyboard input and beam it somewhere else. After that, it just took a terminal program and some extra code to turn the keystrokes into information that Wall-E can use. With that in place, you have yourself a remote controlled robot.

That computer is almost 30 years old. If not for this mod, it would be a useless paperweight. It is proof that by thinking out of the box, we can use some of our old gadgets and rescue them from obsolescence, while doing some cool things.

[via Hack A Day via Geekosystem]


Updated Hyundai app brings remote control to your Blue Link fleet

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Updated Hyundai app brings remote control to your Blue Link fleet

Hyundai Sonata and Veloster owners have had some level of remote access for a year now, but the latest version of the Blue Link app does even more. Along with remote start, door lock / unlock and control of the horn and lights, you can now run vehicle diagnostics, send POIs across from your phone for later in-dash navigation, and even locate and manage multiple Blue Link-equipped cars. Sound complicated? Not if you run a cab firm, or if you check out the twelve new instructional videos on Hyundai's YouTube channel below.

Continue reading Updated Hyundai app brings remote control to your Blue Link fleet

Updated Hyundai app brings remote control to your Blue Link fleet originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 May 2012 05:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Go-Go Dog Pals lets you exercise Rover without tapping your precious calorie reserve

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Sure you love your dog, but having him watch you sit on the sofa doesn't constitute playtime. Standing up and even running around outside together will surely get the job done, but why get up for exercise when you're perfectly comfortable on the couch? That's the idea behind Go-Go Dog Pals, coined "the funnest most fun way to exercise your dog." Unless you have a few acres to play with beyond the front door, you'll still need to to bring Rover out to the yard before unleashing the wireless gopher look-alike, but there finally appears to be a solution for controlling your dog just as you do your TV -- with a remote. The Go-Go has plenty of pep under the hood, thanks to its dual-motor, four-wheel drive and top speed of 35 kilometers (22 miles) per hour, and it could be yours for the not-so-modest sum of $300. There is a $25 discount on order, if you can pull the trigger by July 1st -- just enter "CHASE" at checkout. Paws-on video is just past the break.

Continue reading Go-Go Dog Pals lets you exercise Rover without tapping your precious calorie reserve

Go-Go Dog Pals lets you exercise Rover without tapping your precious calorie reserve originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 May 2012 04:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dish Network Remote Access iPad app upgrade brings a new UI, more speed

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Dish Network Remote Access iPad app upgrade brings a new UI, more speed

Sure, it's not as revolutionary as the new automated ad skipping built into its DVRs, but Dish Network has also just revamped its Remote Access iPad app. While other pay-TV providers are proud about streaming channels to mobile devices only within the home or shifting a few recordings, Dish's tight Sling integration still provides the most video wherever the user might be, as well as DVR management, a full guide and remote control. The 3.0.3 upgrade brings an entirely new user interface that's optimized for the retina display, guide data without interrupting the video, favorite channels list, and claims to speed up the process of both loading various screens and connecting to stream live TV. Hit iTunes for the updated app or read the press release after the break for more details and let us know how it's working for you.

Gallery: Dish Network Remote Access iPad app

Continue reading Dish Network Remote Access iPad app upgrade brings a new UI, more speed

Dish Network Remote Access iPad app upgrade brings a new UI, more speed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 May 2012 08:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mythical Beast Flies, Breathes Fire

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If you look up in the sky and see a dragon, chances are you either had too much to drink, or you are seeing Rick Hamel’s amazing R/C creation, which is an actual flying dragon that breaths fire. It is called Mythical Beast, and it is just that.

mythical beast
This dragon measures over 7 feet-long and would scare the bejesus out of some unsuspecting Renaissance fair types (I would actually very much like to see that.) It’s powered by a Jetcat P80 Kerostart turbine and has a wing span of 9 feet, so you definitely will notice when this thing flies overhead. Liquid propane and a stun gun circuit are all that is needed for the pyrotechnics, which look really good coming out of the creature’s mouth.

Too bad its wings don’t flap though. The Mythical Beast won Best of Show at the Weak Signal R/C event in Toledo a few weeks ago. Too bad we can’t just go to the store and buy one of these ourselves.

[via Hobby Media via Boing Boing]


Triggertrap: nine ways to activate your DSLR with an iOS device, choose one

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triggertrap-remote-activated-dslr-iOS-app

When we first heard about the Kickstarter-funded Triggertrap, it was a nice but nichey lab instrument of a device that could fire your DSLR with diverse stimuli, like lights or ringing phones. It wasn't the first photo-tripping idea we'd seen, but at least it could be had for a fair sum ($75.00) and be used out of the box. But now, by connecting that tech to an app and charging $19.98 for both the software and hardware, Triggertrap might open up remote snapping to a lot more folks.

Running off any iPhone, iPad or iPod using iOS 5, the app uses a dongle which can be connected by cable or infrared to most DSLRs or advanced compacts. From there, you'll be able to use all of your iDevice's sensors as triggers, from motion through to facial recognition and even GPS. The app doesn't just fire the shutter, either -- it also gives you control over the focus and flash. And if you don't have a separate camera, the iPhone's built-in cam can be used instead -- which would save you from buying the $9.99 dongle, if you have the necessary accoutrements. So if you've been wondering how to get those hard-to-shoot images, or have more nefarious ideas, check the videos after the break.

Continue reading Triggertrap: nine ways to activate your DSLR with an iOS device, choose one

Triggertrap: nine ways to activate your DSLR with an iOS device, choose one originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wild BYD Technologies Car is Remote Controlled

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A Chinese car company called BYD Technologies is showing off a car at the Beijing auto show called the F3 Plus. Honestly, the car is every bit boring with a 1.5 L turbocharged engine and no other...