IrRemote
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ThinkGeek's Mark VII Sonic Screwdriver universal remote pleases Whovians in time for Comic-Con
Ever wished you too could make use of the awesome powers that lie within Dr. Matt Smith's Mark VII Sonic Screwdriver? Well, it's still not exactly a reality in the way of the space-bred handyman's gadget seen on Doctor Who, but ThinkGeek and The Wand Company have you covered if an IR-packing replica universal remote sounds good enough. This BBC-licensed Mark VII remote handles up to 39 commands that are all controlled using 13 different motion gestures. Of course, if controlling the likes of TV and AV devices in an extraterrestrial fashion just isn't your thing, there's always ThinkGeek's Sonic Screwdriver flashlight, right? There's no word on price just yet, but San Diego Comic-Con attendees can try it out first-hand at the BBC America Booth (#3629) starting July 12. The Mark VII remote is set to go sale for $99 at ThinkGeek's website on August 31st, so for now we'll direct you to the press release after the break. Update: Video demo added after the break. [Thanks, Alan]
Retina Display MacBook Pro lacks IR sensor, is Apple offing the remote?
It appears that Apple is ditching the remote control on the latest retina-display MacBook Pro. Our side-by-side comparisons yesterday revealed the new hardware doesn't have an infra-red receiver. The news compelled a reader to contact Apple's support service, which apparently confirmed that the accessory won't work on the new laptop. We'll keep you updated when we know more. [Thanks, Robert]
Motorola Xoom 2 evidence mounts -- new photos, rumored specs and a Media Edition?
Talk of a younger, slimmer Motorola Xoom just keeps on coming. A helpful tipster is adding fuel to the rumors of a Xoom 2 with these shots of a similar, but not exactly identical Motorola tablet. When compared to the images we saw yesterday, this unnamed Android 3.2 slate looks a tad less polished in the rear and seems to favor a portrait format, with the camera resting up top. What's more, our source says the slab appears to be smaller than what we've already seen, which could line up with a report from This Is My Next, pegging a Xoom 2 Media Edition. That device is rumored to have an 8.2-inch HD IPS display and weigh .95 pounds. It is apparently being billed as an "e-reader replacement," and comes with an onboard IR remote and subwoofer. In further Xoom 2 news, TIMN is saying the classic version will measure 9mm thick, pack a 1.2GHz processor, 1GB RAM, and enable 1080p video recording. If all of that isn't enough to satisfy your Motorola-tablet craving, we've got a gallery of photos below.%Gallery-134781% [Thanks, Anon]
L5 iPhone IR dongle / remote software hands-on
Well, we just got a demo of the L5 Remote at ShowStoppers and we're glad to report that the IR accessory for iPhone / iPod touch works exactly as promised. The IR signals are outputted by a small dongle that attaches to the dock connector of your device that works in conjunction with a free app from the company. During our first attempt at a demo, the software -- which is still in BETA version -- crashed, but the same can't be said the second time around. Programming a new device is as easy as pointing any IR device at the receiver and pressing the buttons that the app dictates. Programming multiple rooms, changing button layouts, and managing multiple devices is a snap, though we wish you didn't have to use the iPhone upside down to use it. According to reps on site, it should be shipping by the end of February, and once it does, you'll never have to worry about losing a remote again. %Gallery-82127%
Engadget HD giveaway: win a RF remote extender!
The recession antidote giveaways over at Engadget Classic have been a huge hit, and nothing could make us happier -- except a special set of giveaways just for HD readers, of course! We're sure AV gear is one of the first things to get trimmed from the household budget, but we want to make sure our readers aren't totally cut off. Luckily, the good folks at Next Generation Home Products sent us a raft of HD-centric goodies, so we'll be going through the loot and giving out stuff for your AV rig until we reach the bottom of the grab bag. To kick things off, we're giving away three IR/RF remote extender kits similar to the one we reviewed a year ago. We'll also throw in a set of RF eyes , an extra RF transmitter and a USB charger and with each kit, just to make sure you're fully remotified. And because you might want to use your RF remote around the home, we'll cap things off with a pair of HDMI wall plates. Don't be bashful -- this is no April Fool's joke -- read the rules below and get commenting!Special thanks to Next Generation Home Products for providing the gear!The rules: Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for "fixing" the world economy, that'd be sweet too. You may only enter this specific giveaway once.If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. Winner will be chosen randomly. Two winners will receive one (1) ATH-433 kit, one (1) TX-433 transmitter, one (1) 3-eye tether cord, one (1) USB charger and two (2) HDMI wall plates. One winner will receive one (1) ATH-418 kit, one (1) TX-418 transmitter, one (1) 3-eye tether cord, one (1) USB charger and two (2) HDMI wall plates. Approximate value of each package is $160. If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Entries can be submitted until Wednesday, April 8th, 11:59PM ET. Good luck! Full rules can be found here.
