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Remote
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concepts
A REAL Universal Remote Concept
Not so long ago, we ran an "All Giz Wants" about a real universal remote—one that wouldn't just change your channels but change your life. (Marketers, feel free to use that). This concept holds a kinship to our humble dream of turning on our oven with the touch of a button...errr...remotely. Make no mistake, it's just an artist's rendering with ergonomics that are questionable at best. But it's something to keep us trudging through life (hopefully from our couches). [coroflot via DVICE]
iphone
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iPhone / iPod TiVoRemote App Makes Telnet Control Easy
Remember when we showed you an iPhone controlling a TiVo over IP by means of Telnet? Well, over at the TiVo Community Forum, a user named Duckfin has compiled a "quick and dirty little program" that gives the iPhone and iPod touch a proper TiVo Remote. The app which is named TiVoRemote, no surprise there, actually makes practical use of TiVo's Telnet control feature. But as with most apps these days it does require a jailbroken iPhone / iPod. For installation and info hit the jump.
Remember when we showed you an More »
software
iPhone Getting iTunes Remote Control App?
TUAW's tipsters tell it that, based on code found in the latest iPhone SDK beta, Apple's working on an app called iControl to hook up with iTunes libraries. Their guess is that it'll enable your iPhone to connect wirelessly to your iTunes and play back music, videos and podcasts (supposedly on the phone). That's interesting and all, but we're hoping it's more of an actual "controller", as specified in TUAW's headline and image. This way we can use the iPhone as a remote to adjust playback on our iTunes and Apple TVs. This is the one that makes sense to us. [TUAW]
war robots
Wiimote, iPhone are New Tools of War
David Bruemmer and Douglas Few, engineers at the US Department of Energy's Idaho National Lab in Idaho Falls, have put together an unlikely use for the Wiimote—they've hacked the remote so it can control a bomb-disposing, landmine-detecting, machine gun-carrying robot. More »
gadgets
EZ Commander Media Center Remote Features Trackball, 1980s Beige Color Scheme
Ignoring the retro styling of this EZ Commander remote, it's got one remarkable feature that makes the whole five-buck-design worthwhile: a trackball. Even though trackballs went out of style for most computer users (some die hards still swear by them) they make plenty of sense to use with a remote, so you can mouse around the screen without having to actually use a mouse. It's too bad that it costs $80, which is a good $50 more than standard Media Center remotes go for these days. [Think Geek via Gadgettastic via DVice]
gadgets
Pocket Pillow Holds Remotes, Jabs Sides
Why this TV pocket pillow decided to use the remote of a crappy Comcast/Motorola DVR box as their illustration of a remote is beyond me, but the idea is actually quite useful. It's a pillow with a pocket designed for you to shove your remote into when you're not using it. There are quite a few problems with it, such as the fact that if you're not disciplined enough to put a remote on the coffee table when you're done using it, you probably won't put it into the pillow either. But hey, we won't tell you how to spend your $116. [Uncommon Goods via Nerd Approved]
apple
For those still skeeved about the iPod touch's $20 optional software upgrade, here's another beef: the Apple Remote, gateway to the 10-foot Front Row interface, is now an add-on extra that'll cost you $19. I'm thinking Apple found out that most of them stay forgotten at the bottom of the box. Is this an outrage? Or does it make sense? [Apple Store] Thanks Lowmax!
Apple Remote Now a $19 Add-On
For those still skeeved about the iPod touch's $20 optional software upgrade, here's another beef: the Apple Remote, gateway to the 10-foot Front Row interface, is now an add-on extra that'll cost you $19. I'm thinking Apple found out that most of them stay forgotten at the bottom of the box. Is this an outrage? Or does it make sense? [Apple Store] Thanks Lowmax!
digital cameras
$3 Remote Shutter Trigger for Canon Digital Rebels
This is a cheap, quick way to make a small remote shutter trigger for Canon Digital Rebels. Basically, you just need a $3 hands-free phone headset with a 2.5mm plug (NOT 3.5mm). Pop open the case and cut the wire leading to the ear piece, tie it off, then close it back up. Plug into the camera and you're good to go. [Instructables]
humor
How Grandma Sees The Remote
In this comic by Roz Chast really sums it up nicely, for grandmas, parents and, let's be honest, sometimes even ourselves during our darkest moments of troubleshooting.
It reminds me of a funny story that happened to my wife's grandma a few years back. Her television was hit by a power surge and began speaking Spanish (picking up some AM radio station probably)...even when unplugged. She later joked that the voices, temporarily muffled under a blanket, were laughing at her. We convinced her that she'd just hit the wrong button. OK, OK, we didn't. We're not that cruel. [bookofjoe]
creepy love
Using Ergo Pet Feeders and INSTEON home control technology, creepy pet lovers can feed their precious animals and watch them eat from anywhere in the world. Now that is what I call a vacation!
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Remote Pet Feeder: Dish Out the Food and Watch Precious Eat From Around the Globe
Using Ergo Pet Feeders and INSTEON home control technology, creepy pet lovers can feed their precious animals and watch them eat from anywhere in the world. Now that is what I call a vacation!
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apple
Apple has just walked home with six new patents, one of which details an iPod shuffle-like remote control. The image may not tell us much, but a reverse side clip is clearly visible, as is some form of circular control, which could be a scroll wheel or four way control pad. The iPhone comes with a basic in-line remote; could this be a more sophisticated offering? The other four patents described the following. Update: These products do not seem to be bringing anything new. The lanyard looks to be an iPod nano peripheral; both iPod shuffle iterations indicate the current model, and the remote has a striking similarity to the current iPod remote control, with integrated FM radio. The image technology may still be a note worthy patent acquisition.
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Apple Patents Show Shuffle-Esque Remote Control, Other Goodies
Apple has just walked home with six new patents, one of which details an iPod shuffle-like remote control. The image may not tell us much, but a reverse side clip is clearly visible, as is some form of circular control, which could be a scroll wheel or four way control pad. The iPhone comes with a basic in-line remote; could this be a more sophisticated offering? The other four patents described the following. Update: These products do not seem to be bringing anything new. The lanyard looks to be an iPod nano peripheral; both iPod shuffle iterations indicate the current model, and the remote has a striking similarity to the current iPod remote control, with integrated FM radio. The image technology may still be a note worthy patent acquisition.
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gadgets
Synaptics' Boomerang Buttonless Remote Control Concept Might Not Catch On
This Boomerang concept by interface company Synaptics is supposed to illustrate a few different input methods for remotes to control TVs and DVD players. Although it's buttonless, the Boomerang still has a TouchPad (like the one on your notebook), as well as gesture recognition for stuff like channel switching or volume control. Kinda neat in a pie in the sky sorta way, but they've got a few more interesting tech concepts jammed in as well. More »
gadget
This remote control design is inspired by a deck of playing cards, with two card-shaped halves that slide in different directions. By gripping it and sliding it up and down you can change your TV's volume, and a twisting gesture changes channels or tracks on your DVD. Designer Sungwoo Park has gone for clean white curves and minimalist control option, and I like its tactile slide design as an antidote for all the touchpad/screen action going on at the moment. [Yanko design]
A Playing Card Concept Remote
This remote control design is inspired by a deck of playing cards, with two card-shaped halves that slide in different directions. By gripping it and sliding it up and down you can change your TV's volume, and a twisting gesture changes channels or tracks on your DVD. Designer Sungwoo Park has gone for clean white curves and minimalist control option, and I like its tactile slide design as an antidote for all the touchpad/screen action going on at the moment. [Yanko design]
delphi
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iPhone Controls Vehicle in Real Time Using Delphi's Concept Web App
The chaps at Delphi were just showing us a cool concept; they were using a web app on an iPhone to control a GMC Acadia vehicle. The prototype on display was able to check the automobiles vital stats, open and close windows, retain user configurations for seating options and even start the ignition. Check out the video of it in action after the jump.
The chaps at Delphi were just showing us a cool concept; they were using a web app on an iPhone to control a GMC Acadia vehicle. The prototype on display was able to check the automobiles vital stats, open and close windows, retain user configurations for seating options and even start the ignition. Check out the video of it in action after the jump.More »
gadgets
Hands-On With Ricavision's VAVE Universal Vista Sideshow Remote
We've seen Ricavision's Sideshow Remotes before (and even got hands-on with their previous concept SideShow remote), but this is the first time we've fondled the commercial version that's coming next year.
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lax-max
CES's Largest Remote Finally Makes Me Feel Like Real Man
Look at me, confident despite my probably-too-casual-for-CES hoodie attire. Why? I'm holding the latest update of the giant remote we've seen floating around the web for years. The latest LI-RC900CL version by Lax-Max includes backlit keys and an LCD that tells you the time. Oh, and a stand. Never forget the stand. If and when this model ever hits stores it will run about $30.
finger bang
