Technabob » beacon http://technabob.com/blog Cool Gadgets, Gizmos, Games and Geek Stuff Sun, 27 May 2012 16:00:53 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Griffin Outs Beacon Universal Remote Control for Android http://technabob.com/blog/2011/11/08/beacon-remote-control-android-version/ http://technabob.com/blog/2011/11/08/beacon-remote-control-android-version/#comments Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:55:49 +0000 Shane McGlaun http://technabob.com/blog/?p=72929 The two most popular mobile operating systems out there are Android and iOS. When it comes to accessories, iOS is still the most popular though. There aren’t nearly as many accessories for the Android users out there as there are for the iPhone at this point. Griffin has launched an update to their Beacon universal remote control device, which makes it compatible with Android tablets and smartphones.

beacon android remote

Beacon for Android uses hardware and an app to control your home entertainment system.The hardware part connects wirelessly to your tablet or smartphone using Bluetooth. It then turns the BT commands your phone sends out into IR commands your home theater gear can understand. The app has a database of 200,000 devices that it can control, and also has an integrated guide that tells you more about the programs and tells you what is on.

beacon android remote with phone

You can buy Beacon for either Android or iOS now for $69.99 (USD) over at the Griffin website.

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2011/11/08/beacon-remote-control-android-version/feed/ 0 The Robostool is at Your Feet’S Beck and Call http://technabob.com/blog/2008/07/31/the-robostool-is-at-your-feets-beck-and-call/ http://technabob.com/blog/2008/07/31/the-robostool-is-at-your-feets-beck-and-call/#comments Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:24:35 +0000 Karen M. http://technabob.com/blog/?p=3246 The RoboStool is a homemade robotic footstool that’s ready and willing to support your tired tootsies whenever you summon it. It’s a little reminiscent of the Take A Seat robotic chair but differs in that it uses 3 different modes of control.

robot1

RoboStool has three modes- universal remote, beacon navigation, and thermal sensor following. This video demonstrates the beacon navigation. It looks a little scary when the footstool springs into action, but then again, robots springing into action are always inherently a little scary, no?

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

To explain how he turned this cheap vinyl footstool into this robotic wonder, the creator says, “As with all my current robot projects I’m using the Parallax Propeller Chip on a Proto Board. For the drive I’m using the new Parallax Motor Mount Kit and two HB-25 motor controllers. A third HB-25 is used to control the two ServoCity linear actuators which are used to raise and lower the body and lid.” (Hopefully you understood some of those words because I’m not sure I did.)

r2 inside

This is the latest project from Norris Labs. You can get the schematics to build your very own RoboStool, and learn about previous projects, right here.

[via Make:]

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2008/07/31/the-robostool-is-at-your-feets-beck-and-call/feed/ 0