Gizmodo: tv-b-gone

World's Smallest TV-B-Gone Makes It Even Easier to Do Things You'll Later Regret

Adam Frucci — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:20:00 EDT

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.The size of the original TV-B-Gone never seemed like an impediment to us, but hey, I'm not going to argue with a gadget going through the shrink ray. [Hack-a-Day]

At Gizmodo Gallery: TV-B-Gone, the iPhonesque Edition

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST

Like Lego or Apple, you knew this was coming to the Gizmodo Gallery: An exclusive iPhonesque-edition of the TV-B-Gone, so you can annoy the hell out of us by turning off our Panasonic 103-inch TV.

If you work at Motorola, it's payback time.

[Thanks to REED ANNEX and thanks to our benefactor gizmine.com]

Gizmodo Gallery

Reed Annex

151 Orchard Street

New York, NY 10002

Gizmodo Gallery Reader Meetup

The reader meetup takes place across the street from the Gallery, at a place called The Annex (not to be confused with REED ANNEX where the gallery is hosted.) The address is 152 Orchard Street and we'll be there at 9 PM SHARP on Friday December 5th.

Gallery Dates:

December 4th-7th

Times:

12/4 Thursday

12-8

12/5 Friday

12-8

12/6 Saturday

11-8

12/7 Sunday

11-4

[Read more about our Gizmodo Gallery here and see what else we'll be playing with at the event.]

TV-B-Gone Inventor Makes it Open Source, Explains Why

Kit Eaton — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:30:00 EST

Mitch Altman, inventor of TV-B-Gone has done something kinda alien to many inventors of successful gizmos: he's made it open source. Interesting, since when he first came up with the idea, Altman patented it, on the advice of his patent attorney brother.

Now he's sold a bundle of them, he's had a change of heart. Seeing patent laws as responsible for stifling "the creativity that patents were supposed to encourage," he's making the source code, board layout and TV power codes all available online. Can we expect a host of DIY hacks? Ohboyyes. Read on at the Makezine link: the full skinny on his reasoning is pretty interesting. [Makezine]

TV-B-Gone SHP Looks Like an iPhone, and We Will Not Take the Bait

Adam Frucci — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:59:00 EDT

OK, so the new TV-B-Gone SHP (super high power) is designed to look like an iPhone. It appears to be designed just for us here at Gizmodo, embodying two things that, for better or for worse, we're known for. But no matter what this thing looks like, there ain't no way we're getting within 10 feet of a TV-B-Gone again. Even if it is an upgraded model with eight powerful infrared emitters that can turn off 90% of the world's TVs. No. No, ma'am. [Maker Shed via Ubergizmo]

Ultra-Powerful Sniper TV-B-Gone Rifle with LED Aim

Jesus Diaz — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:22:56 EST

TV-B-Gone + 30 infrared LEDs + mineral crystal lens + blue LED laser-like precision aim + PVC tubes + black paint = Judgement Day. And this time it's personal, punks. [hacked gadgets]

[Ed. Note: The opinions in this post belong entirely to the writer and Dirty Harry. The editor of this site does not condone of using such devices in public places like tradeshows and press conferences (especially those) as it is inconsiderate of the work and time people put into such presentations. Plus, it definitely isn't funny a second time. At all. Period...Stop looking at me like that. ]

Confessions: The Meanest Thing Gizmodo Did at CES

Brian Lam — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:59:59 EST

CES has no shortage of displays. And when MAKE offered us some TV-B-Gone clickers to bring to the show, we pretty much couldn't help ourselves. We shut off a TV. And then another. And then a wall of TVs. And we just couldn't stop. (And Panasonic, you're so lucky that 150-incher didn't have an active IR port.) It was too much fun, but watching this video, we realize it probably made some people's jobs harder, and I don't agree with that (Especially Motorola). We're sorry. [Thanks to Phil Torrone for the gear, video, editing and mischief by Richard Blakeley]

Super TV-B-Gone: Bulked Up to 90-Foot Range

Charlie White — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 09:40:53 EDT

If you absolutely positively must kill every TV in the room within 90 feet, here's the do-it-yourself project that puts your TV-B-Gone on steroids. If you're handy with electronics, all you need is one TV-B-Gone unit, a certain transistor, a 9-volt battery and 20 infrared LEDs.

Substitute that puny 3-volt watch battery inside with a 9-volt battery, solder it all together and boom! You have yourself a TV-B-Gone on hyperdrive. No matter where you point it, any TVs within 90 feet are toast. Well, they're not damaged, they just turn off. And then you have sweet, sweet silence.

Think of it, any TV within earshot at an airport, for example, is immediately silenced with one push of a button. But then, wouldn't that be inconsiderate of your fellow passengers? Don't others have the right to be continually brainwashed with incessant commercials? It's their choice. – Charlie White

Ultra TV-B-Gone [Instructables] Thanks, Phillip!