Home automation has been around for decades. But with the recent advent of the smartphone and the tablet, the market has started to evolve much more quickly. Just look at products like the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Philips Hue.
It seems like you can control pretty much anything with your smartphone or tablet these days, and we’ve come across a cool example of that. Check out this video of a house that has $80 grand of iPad-controlled home automation equipment… Read More
iHelicopters, the makers of iPhone-controlled vehicles are on a roll again. After creating a lineup of iPhone-controlled helicopters, RC cars and the rocket-launching Cobra copter, their latest offering is the iUFO. As the name suggests, it’s a flying device that resembles an unidentified flying object. Its rotor system is maneuverable via your iPhone, iPad or iPod using a free app that talks to the unit via the transmitter which plugs in the headphone jack .
Its spherical design is aimed at protecting the rotors from hitting nearby objects and breaking. The manufacturer says the system even allows iUFOs to roll over the ground without crashing the rotors and says you don’t have to worry about crashing the unit against the walls or ceiling… Read More
Romo the robot first appeared last November as a Kickstarter project. It was essentially a fully motorized, acrylic robot that was both controlled and powered by an iOS device. And despite looking like a build-it-yourself hobby-bot, it collected well over $100,000 in pledges.
Well this year, Romo is back and better than ever. The robot has been redesigned from the circuit board up, and has been improved in almost every way imaginable. It looks better, goes faster, thinks smarter and is much easier to use… Read More
We’ve seen a lot of cool accessories for the iPad over the years, but this one might just take the cake. Double Robotics has just unveiled a new self-balancing motorized stand for Apple’s tablet called the Double.
The stand uses the iPad for propulsion, as it wheels around on a Segway-like base. And the whole thing is controlled by a second iPad, using the camera on the first for guidance. You really have to see it to believe it… Read More
Digital home control may be the way of the future, but much of the current technology is still out of reach for the average consumer. It’s expensive, complicated, and not very user-friendly. But there are companies looking to change that.
Take the Elphi, for example. This new “smart plug” is looking to change the way we look at home automation. Simply plug the Elphi into an AC outlet, plug in any AC-powered device to the Elphi, and open the accompanying iPhone app… Read More
Microsoft has rolled out an update for its My Xbox LIVE application today, bringing the software to version 1.5. The update brings high-resolution images to Retina iPad users, and some cool new features to the iPhone.
The most notable addition is the ability for iPhone owners to use the app to control their Xbox 360 consoles. The functionality will allow them to control on-screen content (play, stop, etc.) right from their handsets… Read More
An interesting patent grant surfaced in the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s database this morning. Building upon a number of previously patented inventions, this latest filing describes an enhanced remote control that could include a touch-sensitive surface to control one or more on-screen objects… Read More
There’s no shortage of iPhone-controlled vehicles on the market these days. We’ve seen cars, helicopters, robots, and even tiny spheres that can be controlled with Apple’s handset. But we’ve never seen anything look this good.
The folks over at iHelicopters.net, yes, the makers of the rocket-launching Cobra copter, just informed us that they’ve got a new lineup of iPhone-controlled RC cars out that we wouldn’t want to miss. And they were right… Read More
PatentlyApple points to a number of newly-granted patents published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office with Apple’s name on them. And out of the 20 or so filings, there’s one particular invention that stands out.
The patent describes an in-vehicle remote control with what appears to be a clickwheel-esque interface. It attaches to the steering wheel and can control an iPod, iPhone or other device. Keep reading for more details… Read More
Last night, AT&T unveiled a new home automation and security service called Digital Life. The carrier describes the service as one that will give users “unparalleled control and security of their home using any web-enabled device.”
The Digital Life system is integrated into the home via Z-Wave, a popular wireless protocol, and can control a number of connected utilities including cameras, door locks, thermostats, window sensors, and appliances… Read More
Although the Apple TV’s remote control looks sleek, it leaves a lot to be desired. The tiny buttons on the awkward-shaped directional pad can make it difficult to browse through iTune’s library of thousands of movies and TV shows.
As you know, you can easily replace the remote with your iPhone using Apple’s Remote app. But did you know there’s another option? You can control your Apple TV with a third-party remote. And it’s actually fairly easy to setup… Read More
I’ve always been a relatively big fan of Screens — the beautifully designed iOS remote desktop app by Edovia.
Screens has always, and continues to be the most impressive looking remote desktop solution for the iPad; in fact, i’d say nothing comes close when it boils down to pure presentation. For that reason, I’ve always been very hesitant when it comes to trying anything else. I know, I tend to be a tad superficial when it comes to my apps.
Thankfully I didn’t let Screens’ beauty stop me from trying another highly touted remote desktop solution called Splashtop. Many of our readers and YouTube viewers have been on me about trying Splashtop for some time now, and I just recently took the plunge. I’m so glad I did… Read More
While most inventions depicted in Apple’s patents don’t usually end up in consumer products, they do provide an interesting look into the company’s R&D labs. Some are particularly entertaining when they fall in line with persistent rumors.
Such is the case with the new “Configurable Remote Control” patent, discovered this morning by PatentlyApple. The invention shows a method of using your iPhone as a self-programming universal TV remote… Read More
How many times has this happened to you? You’re running late for school, work or another appointment. And about 5 minutes after you’ve left your house, you realize you’ve left your iPhone behind. Noooo!
Now for the rest of the day you’ll be disconnected from the world. No text messaging, no Facebook, and worst of all — no iDB. But you know, none of this would have happened if you would’ve had the Wireless Leash Plus… Read More
The iOS accessory space has seen a number of universal remote control add-ons over the last few years. There’s the Peel, and the Griffin Beacon — both of which allow you to control your entire entertainment center with your iOS device.
But now there’s a new kid on the block, the VooMote Zapper. And unlike the aforementioned accessories, it doesn’t require an external infrared receiver. The Zapper plugs directly into your device’s 30-pin dock connector, and doesn’t require batteries… Read More
As noted by 9to5Mac, the US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) published an interesting patent application today with Apple’s name on it.
The filing pertains to a universal touch screen controller, capable of controlling TV sets and a range of other devices, lending at least some credibility to the recent rumors we’ve heard that Apple has a connected television in the works…
There are several home automation solutions on the market right now that work with your iPhone. In conjunction with web-based control servers, you can use the handset to operate anything from your lights to your thermostat.
But price and complexity has always kept the technology out of the reach of the average consumer. So ZMote decided to come up with an easy to use, affordable solution. Introducing the Bluetooth Smart Cord…. Read More
If you’re a gadget freak, then the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 is going to blow your socks off, just like the first version did twelve months ago.
Shown off at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, the AR.Drone 2.0 takes what was already a super cool and easy to fly iPhone-controlled quadricopter, and somehow manages to make it even more amazing. Featuring a new 720p HD camera and new flying aids, the 2.0 release of our favorite flying machine just took iPhone-related toys to the next level while keeping it just one step ahead of the competition.
Oh, and it now works with the iPad, too… Read More
The market for iOS-controlled vehicles has become rather crowded over the last 12 months. We’ve seen everything from robots to helicopters and everything in between. But most of these remote control devices are usually too pricey to go mainstream.
Griffin’s Helo TC breaks that mold by being one of the first iOS RC vehicles under $50. And although it has been available for a few months now, I just recently got my hands on one. Read More
Some things still blow our minds, even with so much great technology and gadgetry being released every day. It takes a lot, but sometimes we just can’t help bit sit there and say “wow, that’s pretty cool.” Tizi and the Tizi Remote app is one such situation.
Tizi is Germany’s answer to Slingbox, allowing over-the-air content to be streamed to just about anything, including an iPad using the Tizi accessory. As if that wasn’t cool enough, the company has now also released an app that allows an iPhone to act as a remote control for the iPad app, complete with Siri-powered voice control. Read More
