Hasta La Gadget!

Sonos Controller for iPad isn’t the only app from the multi-room audio company to get an upgrade today, with the Android version of the software tweaked to suit tablets. We spotted Sonos’ new iPad app earlier today, complete with Retina Display graphics; the iPhone app has also been updated to suit the smartphone’s Retina panel. Now, though, Android tablets can join in on the Sonos Controller fun.

The Android version of the Controller app has been updated to suit 7- and 10-inch tablet screens. The UI has been spread out to make better use of the screen real-estate on offer, and there’s a new landscape mode for tablets that shows both room and music selection on-screen simultaneously.

Album art has also been increased in size. On the iPad and iPhone apps, meanwhile, the physical volume buttons on the side of each iOS gadget have been co-opted to control volume of the Sonos system, as long as the Controller app is running in the foreground.

You can download the Android Sonos Controller app here and the iOS app here.

Sonos Android Controller updated with tablet UI is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

I’m a sucker for remote-controlled toys, especially flying toys. Sadly I’m not qualified to fly any of the airplanes or helicopters I’ve ever tried. Generally I get to fly once and then crash during landing, destroying any chance at a second flight. RC geeks in the UK will soon be able to get a cool spy plane called the Spy Hawk, which to let you record your landing disasters – or the pool party your hot neighbor is throwing.

Spy Hawk is a three-channel mini glider that comes with an integrated first-person video system able to send five-megapixel live video feeds back to a 3.5-inch LCD on the remote control. The plane even has an autopilot mode with gyro stabilization that lets you get it to altitude, and then watch the video without having to worry about actually flying. The toy has a range of up to 600 m with an average flight time of 15 minutes on a single charge.

The system has an integrated four gigabyte memory card to store the video. It also uses intelligent signaling so you can fly more than one Spy Hawk at the same time. The Spy Hawk will sell for £249.95 (~$386 USD) when it lands next month over at Red5.

Remote control helicopters were all the rage not too long ago, but how about an even cooler spy plane? RED5 is offering a Spy Hawk plane that has a 5-megapixel camera attached to the nose, able to beam video back to a 3.5-inch screen embedded in the remote control. The plane is capable of being controlled up to 600m away, and you can record video onto a 4GB SD card for later viewing.

The Spy Hawk also features a stabilization system that makes it much easier to fly. An “autopilot” switch will turn on a guilty in gyroscope that will keep the plane at the correct altitude, allowing you to terrorize pedestrians from above while recording all the action. The plane can stay airborne for around 30 minutes thanks to a 7.4v lithium-ion polymer, and it’s relatively tough due to EPO crash resistant foam.

If you happen to have a second Spy Hawk, an “intelligent automatic control and video signal binding” mode links the two planes together, so you can chase them around while recording feeds from both. You may want to start with just one for now, though, as the Spy Hawk isn’t cheap at £245.95 (~$380). Check out a video sample recorded from the plane below.

Spy Hawk gives you an eagle eye in the sky is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

If you’re a fan of Doctor Who, be prepared to be greatly impressed by the latest geek toy from Think Geek. ThinkGeek has a new Sonic Screwdriver Programmable TV Remote that looks like the Mark VII Sonic Screwdriver used by one of the many Whos. The device is a universal remote control that allows you to control your home theater components using gestures.

The device promises to be able to learn the control codes for just about any regular remote control. Once it knows those control codes, you can set up your own custom gesture movements to control your components. The device supports up to 13 gestures and has three memory banks allowing the storage of up to 39 different remote control codes. The default gestures include things like rotating the remote clockwise and counterclockwise for adjusting volume.

Each of the gestures triggers a classic sound effect, and the tip illuminates with green light. If you don’t want to hear the sound effects, there is a quiet mode and a lock code is available to keep your kids from changing the channel. The remote supports four different modes, including practice mode, control mode, quiet control mode, and the FX mode. The device runs on a pair of AAA batteries and is set to ship in early September for $99.95.

Sonic Screwdriver remote is just what the Doctor ordered is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Proper home automation systems can cost upwards of $10,000, and while budget alternatives can’t touch the level of integration you’ll enjoy with a behemoth rig, all but the most sophisticated of homeowners can squeak by with a simple timer setup — or the modern equivalent. Belkin’s WeMo duo utilizes two types of plug-in modules paired with an iOS 5+ app, which you’ll use to set macros, control lights and schedule on/off times. A Switch module can turn on and off a lamp, fan, coffee maker, television or heating appliance from a connected iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. You can also set a seemingly unlimited number of detailed schedules for each device, all from the comfort of your WiFi-equipped touchscreen handheld. You can integrate the optional Motion device with a set of macros as well, configuring your lights to turn on once you step through the foyer, or your coffee maker to launch a brew as you walk through your bedroom door.

We wired up a lamp in a New York City apartment to give WeMo a go, and things generally worked as advertised. Setup is fairly straightforward — simply plug in a module, select its corresponding SSID broadcast from iOS then launch the free app to force the device onto your home WiFi network. You’ll need to repeat the process to add each gadget or sensor, but once you do, you’ll be able to config and control any connected gadget from anywhere on the network, or beyond. The system theoretically supports remote access without any additional setup (modules are registered to the app) but we weren’t able to power up the lamp while on 3G during multiple attempts. That detail aside, we’d be happy to welcome WeMo into our home, though the absent Android app throws in a speed bump for sure. You have two options for adding WeMo — there’s a Switch + Motion kit available for $100, which includes a power control and motion sensor, or you can opt for the Switch solo for $50. Then, simply add as many outlet controllers as you wish, at 50 bucks a pop. You can see that first combo in action in our hands-on video after the break.

Continue reading Belkin WeMo Switch and Motion home automation system for iOS hands-on (video)

Belkin WeMo Switch and Motion home automation system for iOS hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 15:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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