iDVM Digital Multimeter collects voltage readings on your iDevice, shares them with whoever cares
This, dear reader, is the iDVM Digital Multimeter -- the world's very first iDevice-enabled voltmeter, from Redfish Instruments. Designed with auto technicians, electricians and engineers in mind, the iDVM uses an ad hoc wireless network to connect to any iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, allowing users to record voltage, resistance and current directly from their palms. Once you've purchased the multimeter and downloaded the accompanying iDVM app, you'll be able to gather electrical measurements from up to 30 yards away from your target, log data over extended periods of time and export your findings in spreadsheet or graph displays. The rechargeable battery-powered device can also read your measurements back to you, which should make you feel slightly less lonely while digging around your car's engine at 3 am. We're still not sure why anyone would want to juggle their iPhone while chasing down a shorted wire, but if you do, the iDVM starts shipping on June 1st, for $220 -- which could buy you about 40 less complicated multimeters from Harbor Freight. Full PR after the break.
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Redfish Instruments Introduces World's First iPhone-Enabled Wireless Multimeter
SANTA CRUZ, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Redfish Instruments, Inc., a provider of iPhone- and iPad-enabled electronic test and measurement equipment, announced today the introduction of the iDVM™ Digital Multimeter. The iDVM multimeter wirelessly connects to an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch via an ad hoc wireless network allowing users to acquire, visualize, and share electrical measurement data on their Apple devices. The iDVM app can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store.
According to Patrick O'Hara, Redfish Instruments' president and CEO, "The unique pairing of the iPhone or iPad with a digital multimeter provides a user experience that is truly revolutionary. Not since the advent of the LCD has the multimeter been so substantially enhanced." Regarding the market opportunity, Mr. O'Hara commented, "The iPhone and iPad provide a known user interface that permits customers to interact with electronic test and measurement tools that was not possible prior to this post-pc era. We believe that our new iDVM voltmeter is the first of many new uses for this tremendous interface; we're excited to be an early pioneer."
Traditionally, multimeters have not provided an easy method of exporting or saving data. The iDVM permits a user to log data over an extended period of time using the iPhone or the iPad as the storage device. For example, service engineers can use the iDVM to collect data and store it in a report for submission to their clients, or keep the data on the voltmeter for their own records. Using the GeoTag feature of the iPhone or iPad, service engineers can even identify their location as part of the data. The iDVM is built in the USA using all USA-made parts, and uses rechargeable batteries.
The iDVM was designed for a wide range of users-from automotive technicians, to advanced embedded systems engineers, to electrical or building contractors, to field service workers.
