By Texas Instruments, a new, 6mm-square Bluetooth system-on-a-chip can operate for "more than a year" on a small button-cell battery (like you see in watches or very tiny remotes). Everything from cellphones to laptops could get a battery boost from the technology, but low power, low cost Bluetooth also opens to door to sticking the technology in more places, too (imagine an RF remote or console controller that you don't need to recharge).

It'll be interesting to see how many companies adopt the new tech when it's available next year, along with how many side with the latest developments in Wi-Fi instead. [Texas Instruments and Press Release]

The Price:

$100

The Verdict:

Actually a good deal.

There are two components of the remote that, depending on your habits, you may use more or less of. There's the "universal remote" part of the iconRemote RF, which acts similar to the Logitech Harmony remotes in that it controls all your electronics, but it doesn't have the fancy software programming suite to back it up. And there's the X10 part of the remote, which acts as a wireless control—via the included wireless receiver and appliance/lamp modules—to various appliances around your house.

The Remote:

The iconRemote RF is a so-so universal remote, and you program it like you do the old style ones you buy at Radio Shack; you point it at your TV and you stop cycling when the TV turns on. Repeat as many times as you have A/V equipment you want to control.

This method makes initial setup actually easier than the Logitech Harmony remotes, but limits you to how much fine-grained control you have. The remote may "know" how to turn on and off your receiver, but it doesn't understand how many HDMI inputs there are or how to switch between them. So it's a universal remote only for more simple systems with just a TV and maybe a DVD player.

One nice feature the iconRemote introduces is the semi-hard coded favorites, which has network logos on screen that you can click to jump to. And, as the name of the remote implies, it has an RF to IR blaster included, so you can eschew line-of-sight and put your equipment in a cabinet and still be able to change channels.

Package includes an RF to IR blaster

It's only a rudimentary universal remote

Also, it's kind of gigantic

The X10 Wireless Control:

X10 has dialed down their popup ads in recent years, but their product is the same: home automation via light, appliance and electronics controls. The package includes one wireless transceiver, one lamp module and one appliance module. The transceiver takes the wireless signals and shoots them over your powerline, which them gets interpreted by your lamp or appliance module to turn on/off whatever's plugged in.

Its major flaw is the fact that the whole transceiver + module has to be on the same circuit. A transceiver upstairs wouldn't control a lamp downstairs, for example, because they weren't able to talk to each other over the electrical system. You'll have to go and buy more transceivers to control every room of your house this way.

But, once you do have everything set up, being able to dim lights, turn on and off appliances, and otherwise interact with other X10 home automation devices, is a pretty valuable thing to have in your universal remote.

Controls X10's home automation modules

Comes with one transceiver and two control modules

You'll have to buy a lot more to control your entire house

At $100, the iconRemote RF is a pretty interesting package. It's not great enough of a remote to replace a Logitech Harmony for hardcore users, but it is decent enough to be a step up from those cheaper universal remotes you may have. Coupled with the fact that it's an X10 remote, it's a very handy thing to have at all times.

To get the package, add both the iconRemote RF and the Remote-Controlled Dimmable Theater Lighting to your cart before checkout. [X10]

Developed by AT&T, the Anywhere uses RF tech to control your various home entertainment baubles from anywhere in the room. Behind a couch; with the cable box behind an opaque cabinet door; or even from the dark basement dungeon you set up for when the AT&T U-verse guy shows up late for his ambiguously defined 9-5 appointment window (yes, it's back lit!).

We've covered RF remotes before, most notably the recent Loop Remote, which controls TVs using a mix of Wii-like wonder, some pointing, and plenty of kitsch. The RF Anywhere is perhaps a bit more practical, but again you need to be a U-verse user to enjoy it.

The remote will cost U-verse customers $50 (slightly more than the one they get with service), and that includes the RF dongle. After that's paid up, you're free to change channels blindly from the pooper at your convenience. [AT&T via Engadget]

The recently released CATS.i measures just 45mm x 35mm x 12mm, and makers say it can be used to track cars, pets and even people. Given that they also claim this is the "most covert" tracking device of its type and is "almost undetectable when being worn", I'm not sure I want to know who their normal customers are.

The device uses a built-in GSM sim chip to report back its GPS data, either constantly or at set intervals, which can then be tracked online. It is battery powered but can also be hardwired to vehicles, or even solar power—though the makers don't specify how. Quad band GSM, GSP and RF ensures you should be able to monitor the people you are stalking—sorry, tracking—wherever they go. [Cats.i]

The inner ear is able to take in all the noise in a surrounding area, and adapt how it processes the sound accordingly. Gizmag says that in a similar fashion, the RF Cochlea is able to analyze a wide range of frequencies, and maximize how it routes data for maximum bandwidth and minimal power consumption. In testing, these designs have been faster than anything they've ever seen before.

What this means for the rest of us is the development of faster, smarter radios for signals such as television channels, cellphones, wi-fi, etc... These "smart radios" could not only take unused bandwidth from one application and put it to work in another, but they could also learn to avoid certain frequencies based on the radio waves in their current location. The end result would be stronger, clearer wireless signals.

The researchers also think it would be possible to commercialize this technology within a couple of years, if someone was so motivated. I like that. [Gizmag]

The patent describes several forms for these displays-most of them already in use in current Apple laptops-, describing displays attached to portable computers. However, one of the claims describes the display as a "housing for a computer device", which would include the computer electronics within the display housing, sandwiched between front and back shells.

[0015]As a housing for a computer device, one embodiment of the invention includes: a front shell; a back shell coupled to said front shell to produce said housing, electrical components for the computer device being internal to said housing; and a foam stiffener provided internal to said housing to substantially fill unused space internal to said housing, thereby providing stiffness to said housing.

According to our patent expert R. Polk Wagner, Professor of patents law at University of Pennsylvania Law School:

What might be fair to say is that Apple's patent is significant in that it shows something about the company's thinking: that they are thinking about "portable computing devices" where the display (and/or keyboard) are larger than the volume required to house the components inside - thus allowing or even requiring a stiffener. Maybe this means Apple is thinking about tablets (i.e., "big iPhones") or maybe they're just thinking about further miniaturization of components / lighter weight in existing form factors. Hard to know.

So there you have it. To me, the patent claim quoted above leans clearly to a potential tablet device. In any case, remember that patents don't have to materialize into products, but it's always comforting to see Apple thinking about creating such a device. Or at least, contemplating the possibility seriously enough to cover all bets in a patent. [USPTO via Electronic Pulp]

While we've had RF-blocking paint to cellphone signals for some time, manufacturers have been thwarted when attempting to stop higher frequencies, like we have on home networks.

Now a team of researchers from the University of Tokyo has developed an aluminium-iron oxide that blocks radio frequencies up to four times beyond existing anti-RF technologies. The paint puts out a magnetic field that resonates at the same frequency as the electromagnetic wave (in this case, a radio frequency) you're looking to block.

The good news is that the material shouldn't be expensive to produce. Right now it's estimated to run $14 per kilogram. Assuming our math is correct, if the average gallon of paint runs 2 pounds, then a can of Wi-Fi blocking paint would be $50 to manufacture. That's not super cheap, but neither is the lifetime of blackmail after your neighbor deciphers your network password and threatens to show the world your earnest, self-shot modeling portfolio. [PCWorld via Unplggd]

Once installed, you simply press a button to command motorized panels to cover your front and back plates. At this point, while you can still see your car, it's technically invisible. Then press down on the gas, put two wheels on the sidewalk and you'll really see what those license plate covers can really do.

Priced at $121, just remember, there's always a magical place called the race track if you want to drive like a douche. [DealExtreme via OhGizmo!]

The embeddable modules would be smart enough to ID themselves and enable both short-range (i.e. home network-style) and long-range (GSM, 3G, WiMax) connections between your portable gadgets, in an automated manner. It's in a similar vein to the personal area net tech that's been mooted for ages, but Apple's suggesting that it could become ubiquitous: you'd plug your iPod into an RF-enabled shirt that'd connect it up, or slip a device into a handbag that has RF connections built-in, and so on.

Possible? We'll have to wait and see. But if Apple's vision proves accurate, and your iPod ends up talking to your shoes which then hook themselves up to your in-car network, then we'll all be bathed in even more RF waves than we are now. [Unwiredview]

The Mobile ID Reader boasts an 8GB capacity, so when hackers crack the “encrypted formats feature,” they'll have access to tons of personal and privileged data. Other features include a sunlight-safe touchscreen and a capacitive fingerprint sensor. The device is meant to be used by authorities at event checkpoints, like its first tryout at the Euro Cup 2008 soccer tournament, but it shouldn't be long before you see it at your local Trader Joe's, checking up on the hippies. [Wired]

The result is a device that allows users to share ideas with greater ease. The napkins are also modular, so large-scale layouts can be formed by connecting them together. If all of that wasn't improbable enough, the Napkin PC uses so little power that it has no need for a battery—instead, it features a single-layer flexible circuit board that utilizes inductive power. It sounds like a really awesome idea, if you can get past the fact that it would cost a fortune to produce one device that probably wouldn't work. [Yanko Design]

In our home theater, we like having the PC tucked away in the server closet in the next room, completely out of earshot but still close enough for its cable to reach the projector. Since this Keyspan RF remote can see through walls like some sort of electro-Superman, it will give us a computer viewing experience that's decidedly TV-like. It might be worth a try for $49. [Keyspan]

There are 4 products in the line, 2 types of transmitters and 2 types of receivers. The basic transmitter unit attaches to the hotshoe of any camera. The USB transmitter hooks to a computer and when paired with the software (Mac/PC), it allows for some additional control of lights and even allows saving of light setups.

Check out the gallery for details, and jump for more info.

The universal receiver uses a rechargeable Li-Ion Nokia phone battery and triggers via standard sync cord while the RX receiver allows remote adjustment of the power output and modeling lights of compatible Elinchrome RX series strobes.

Pricing hasn't been set yet, as these are still undergoing FCC approval testing for US sale, but a receiver/transmitter kit should sell for less than a single PocketWizard. Look for them Q2 2007.

Here's the good stuff:
2.4ghz RF, 8 channels, 40bit security
Syncs at up to 1/1000
165ft indoor range and 395ft outdoor range
4 workgroups for different control options

– Curtis Joe Walker

Product Page [Elinchrom]

Find out just how much of those deadly rays are surrounding you 24/7 with this $39.95 device, priced for the home fraidycat. Might be a good tool for a movie theater owner, to keep those cell-talking jabberjaws out of the cineplex. – Charlie White

Product Page [Scientifics Online, via Red Ferret]

Oh, and this device is kinda illegal, seeing as you can block frequencies that aren't supposed to be blocked. But it should be fun to take into a crowded theater. – Jason Chen

Project Page [Ladyada - Thanks Phil!]

The Vista Media Center remote from Philips comes in a basic version, an IR learning backlit version, and an advanced IR learning backlit version. Luckily for them, they also have a more traditional remote (right), a PC Express card version for laptops, and even an RF version with receiver for rigs that are hidden from line-of-sight IR. No word on when they're going to be released, but we're guessing shortly after January. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Philips via Chris Lanier via uber gizmo]

Setting the remote up is easy, using their walkthrough which lets you name rooms, devise "scenarios", and come up with stuff you want to control. There's web connectivity as well, allowing you to update the software and the remote.

Not only is the AVL300 a breeze to set up, the IlluminEssence Lighting Modules worked from corner to corner of a 2,500 sqft house using RF to control all lighting throughout. Controlling the entertainment system using IR worked flawlessly as well, with 19 out of 20 tries being successful (the last was blamed on user error).

It's a bit pricey—$549 on Amazon—but if you're into home automation then the AVL300 is a good way to go. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Amazon via RemoteShoppe]

Product Page [Via Red Ferret]

iPod Wristband Remote [Red Ferret]

Product Page [Scosche]