That computer is almost 30 years old. If not for this mod, it would be a useless paperweight. It is proof that by thinking out of the box, we can use some of our old gadgets and rescue them from obsolescence, while doing some cool things.

[via Hack A Day via Geekosystem]

Too bad its wings don’t flap though. The Mythical Beast won Best of Show at the Weak Signal R/C event in Toledo a few weeks ago. Too bad we can’t just go to the store and buy one of these ourselves.

[via Hobby Media via Boing Boing]

Galileo is the invention of Josh Guyot, the co-founder of Joby, the company that makes the popular Gorillapod products. Clearly he knows a thing or two about accessories for cameras, and it shows in the dead simple control scheme for Galileo. Using a remote iOS device, all you have to do is swipe on the screen and the Galileo will move accordingly while sending video in real-time. As you’ll see in the video below there is some lag, but it still works beautifully. Aside from moving it around, Galileo will also charge the device that’s docked in it.

In addition to the remote control, they plan on releasing an SDK for controlling the Galileo with your own apps, such as time-lapse and other photographic applications. You can pre-order the Galileo by pledging at least $85(USD) on its Kickstarter page. Guyot says he’s also working on an adapter for GoPro cameras, although this won’t be of much worth outdoors because it needs to be plugged in to a power outlet to work.

[via Cool Hunting]

The latest helicopter launching from the company is called the Helo TC Assault and it looks like a small Apache helicopter with red missiles on each side. You control the helicopter using the app and can fire the missiles at the press of a button. That app allows you have touch to steer or till to steer controls. You can also record and store three flight plans to make it route around obstacles automatically.

Griffin even offers downloadable accessories that you can print to give yourself something to fire at when you play. The Helo TC Assault helicopter is available right now for $59.99(USD).

The TriggerHappy unit is a 3′ cable with a small embedded processor. It attaches to mobile devices via the 3.5mm audio jack and will of course have complementary iOS and Android apps. Once connected, you can use it to take time-lapse pictures, long-exposure shots, HDR shots or just simply fire a single or rapid succession of shots.

Ok, so Kevin isn’t exactly the best presenter on Earth. But he’s an engineer, not an actor after all. Perhaps some charm classes would do him some good.

Pledge at least $50(USD) to the TriggerHappy Kickstarter project to reserve a TriggerHappy unit. The fundraiser still has one and a half months to go but Kevin and his co-inventors have already secured more than $42,000 in pledges, way more than their $25,000 target, so at this point consider your pledge a pre-order.

[via TriggerHappy]

This non-descript, but suspicious looking device can take over the controls of just about any television from up to 400 feet away, and offers several modes for its pranks. First, there’s the Bomb button, which randomly changes channels and volume levels over a 5 to 15 minute period of time. Then, there’s a Jam button, which blocks out any other attempts to use regular remotes. Finally, there’s full control mode which lets you manually control key TV functions, including channels, volume, and even the video input button.

In addition to messing with TVs, it can be used to trigger the IR remote feature of many digital cameras from afar – in case you want to snap a self-portrait out of the range of a conventional remote.

The pocket-sized gadget isn’t exactly stealthy looking, but on the other hand, you can stand pretty damned far away while using it. That said, you want to see the reaction of your victims, so you can’t stand too far back.

If you’ve got a legitimate (or nefarious) use for the NRSTGIRJ, you can grab one over at ThinkGeek for $29.99 (USD). Thankfully, the Jumbotrons at stadiums don’t have an IR remote control, or else I’m sure you’d be using one to play Battlestar Galactica reruns at the basketball game. Not that it would be a bad thing.

Touch-based controls steer and drive the vehicle, and the app shows you in real time what the car’s onboard camera sees. That means that you could send this car into a scary cave, the sewer system, anywhere you want to explore, but don’t actually want to enter physically.

Looks like a fun project that lets you create a spy car while using your tablet. Does this make you want to get a PlayBook? Looks like you can do more with it than we thought, plus remote-controlled cars are always fun.

[via BerryReview via Ubergizmo]

While it might look like one of those wacky Japanese potato chip holders that Karl Pilkington was using on An Idiot Abroad’s Mount Fuji episode, the Terebi no Te is actually a remote control for your television. To turn on your TV using the Terebi no Te, simply wave the wand vertically. A horizontal gesture changes channels or volume, depending on the button you’re pressing. They call this technology “FNS” or the “Finger Navigation System.” Nice initialism there.

It also can be used to flip pages in a paper TV listing (using “FSS “- the “Finger Skip System,”) and even has a light up LED fingertip (The “FLS” – “Finger Lighting System”) so you can read in the dark. Does anyone still use paper TV listings, though? Anyhow, its functionality seems pretty straightforward to me. Let’s see if this video can muddy things up for us a bit.

Ok, that was just weird. And is it just me, or do they have a TARDIS in their house? Pause the video about 13 to 15 seconds in and you’ll see what I mean. Maybe that’s where that strange lady with the Beehive hairdo came from.

In case you’re still wondering, this thing works with TVs from Sony, Sharp, Hitachi, Toshiba, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Sanyo, Pioneer, and Victor, but I doubt it’ll work to control a cable or satellite box, so keep that in mind.

If after watching that video, you’re still convinced you need one of these remotes (or something to pick your nose with) you can pre-order one over at the Japan Trend Shop for $44 (USD).

That’s because it has taken Joe 7 years to do it… so far. For those of you who like numbers, that’s an average annual rate of 8 to 9 cubic feet using just R/C tractors and trucks. You might call him dedicated – or even obsessed.

He even transports the excavator on an R/C truck to the basement, unloads it, digs and uses other trucks to transfer the dirt up to the ground through a spiral ramp. There’s even a miniature rock crusher in on the action! This is an amazing undertaking to say the least.

You can see a little bit of the project in the video above, or you can check out many more videos up on Joe’s Youtube channel.

[via Scale 4x4 R/C and Houston Imports via Carscoop]

He took some telephone wires and wired them up to a Radio Shack 2.5mm plug. Then, he fed it through a hole that he made through the rubber strain relief of the Nunchuk and soldered it where the shoulder button connected to the main board. C aut0-adjusts and Z fires the shutter. None of the other controls do anything at this point, though it would have been cool if the joystick could be used for  zooming and focusing remotely.

I always like the idea of reusing tech that you might throw away or no longer use. What spare gadget do you have lying around, and what would you like to rebuild it into if you could?

[via Ubergizmo]

I know that a remote control snowplow would be a more appropriate device to have at this time of the year, but from the looks of it by the time you finish making your own Lawnba your lawn will need mowing. Case in point: the introductory video below is the first in a thirteen-part series. Part of the reason why there are so many videos is because Smith is very professional and thorough, but no doubt it’s also because this project is quite the undertaking.

If you’ve got the skills and the know how, head to Robert Smith’s website for the full parts list, schematics, codes and all other information that you need to build your own Lawnba.

[via Hack a Day]

Logic Consulting has released a simple way for non-hackers to try this thanks to their Drone Station app for Mac. Simply install the app, connect a joystick, and you can control your AR.Drone from your laptop or desktop Mac. It works with a wide variety of game controllers including those from the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii too.

The higher signal strength of the Wi-Fi from a computer versus the one from an iPhone allows the pilot to control the drone over greater distances. There’s app also provides supplemental info on screen, such as altitude, attitude, direction, and battery gauges.

If you have a Parrot AR.drone, you can get the Drone Station app here for $9.99(USD). I guess if you already spent $300 on the drone, this app will be worth it.

[via Ubergizmo]

The app allows you to remotely snap stills and videos, and also lets you adjust the settings, such as white balance, focus, and camera angle. Photos can be immediately uploaded and shared from inside the app.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The camera comes with a built-in kickstand and a standard horseshoe mount for tripods. There’s also suction cup and magnetic mounts which allow it to stick to a variety of surfaces.

The camera itself doesn’t have a screen of its own, and is designed solely for remote use. The camera can also become an ad-hoc surveillance camera.

There’s no word yet on when you’ll be able to purchase the MMI camera, but Leviteh does have a Flash demo of the App up on his website if you’d like to check it out.

[via designboom]

The Imperial Crawler was created by Christopher Aleria, using a customized Axial Rock Crawler as its base. If only the Empire had thought to build these instead of the wobbly-legged Imperial Walkers, they probably would have won the Battle of Hoth much quicker. Though if they made any AT-STs using similar specs, they might have turned out looking like Imperial Segways.

[via Hobby Media (IT)]

The truck comes in black or red colors and looks like a mini big rig. It uses a free app and a RF transmitter that connects to the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch charge and sync port. That RF transmitter turns the angle that you hold the iOS device into signals to control direction of the truck.

The app also offers a touch control mode as well. The truck has some preset things you can make it do from the app like zigzag, spin, or dance. Dexim says you can play with the truck indoors or out. You can order one up now for $69.90 (USD) over at Dexim’s website.

Hitting the activate button will give you access to all of the regular functions. Otherwise, just lay your head down and relax. This combination device will put the power in your pillow for just $40 (USD). You can get it from Brookstone. Who needs to get up ever again?

[via Redferret]

Gemini-Scout’s main purpose is to gather information about the disaster, and report back. It can find structural weaknesses within the mine shafts, detect the presence of poisonous gases, explosive gases, and the likelihood of flooding.

It’s got an articulated suspension that makes it pretty nimble, and capable of handling even the most challenging terrain. It can climb 45-degree inclines and its diminuitive size will allow it to go places where people can’t. It’s operated remotely via a standard Xbox 360 controller, which makes it easy to control.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

[PopSci via Ubergizmo]

The BlueDrone Android app connects to the car using Bluetooth from the smartphone and has a wireless range of 30-feet. The app allows the driver to use on-screen controls for the car or the phone can be tilted to drive. The car itself is a Nissan GTR in 1:20 scale, and can pair with up to eight devices at once time. The car measures 8″ x 3.2″ x 2.75″ and weighs in at a bit over half a pound.

The BlueDrone project is seeking $200,000 to cover production costs to bring it to consumers, which is one of the largest amounts I have ever seen on Kickstarter, but your pledge of just $59 will get you one of the first BlueDrone R/C cars if they do hit the goal.

PossessedHand consists of a pair of wrist bands that deliver mild electrical stimuli directly into the muscles that control your fingers, which is something that is usually done by your own brain.

The project initially started as a learning tool for people who want to play string instruments, but it could also help stroke victims regain some control of their affected limbs.

I’m betting Sony will put this to some use as a fancy game controller, where the game controls you. While many people think that Microsoft Kinect will do just fine, Sony still needs to figure out their own unique slant on things.

[via PhysOrg via DVice]

A new service is coming for hotels that is called Residential Experience for Hotels. That is cool since if you use DirecTV at home you might remember where some of the channels you like are. The cool part isn’t the programming options though, but the special remote control that kills germs.

This is the first anti-microbial remote control to be offered by DirecTV. The remote the system will use was specifically designed for the lodging industry and has a special anti-microbial coating. Exactly how the anti-microbial coating works isn’t noted, but I would assume it has some sort of silver content like a lot of the anti-microbial products and peripherals on the market today.