The iPad can control the yacht from a distance of 164 feet. The Adastra superyacht is 140 feet long, weighs about 47 tons and can travel 4,000 nautical miles at 17 knots. Top speed is 22.5 knots. It was designed by John Shuttleworth and looks like a cross between a spaceship and a hovercraft. It took five years and cost $15 million to build. It was constructed in China by McConaghy Boats. The Adastra fits nine guests and six crew members.

The yacht was streamlined using glass and Kevlar foam and a superstructure made up of carbon fiber with a honeycomb core. It was made for Hong Kong shipping industry billionaire Anto Marden to shuttle between Indonesian islands that he owns.

[via Daily Mail via DVice]

The LiveAction Camera Remote uses Bluetooth and a complementary app, enabling users to wirelessly activate the shutter button on a paired iOS device. It works from up to 30ft. away and will also let you switch between taking photos or videos. You can even use the remote’s cap as a stand to prop up your iPhone or iPod Touch.

You can order the Belkin LiveAction Camera Remote from Photojojo for $40 (USD).

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.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You see what the robot sees, and hear what the robot hears. With this model, you can even “feel” the shape and temperature of objects, thanks to sensors built into the robots hands, which I suppose means that you don’t have to give up any sexually harassing advances on your coworkers, since you can just blame it on the robot. Besides, if your robot touches her robot, it’s not really an offense. Or is it?

[DigInfo.TV via Techcrunch]

Aside from an iPhone 4S and Siri, the setup consists of an INSTEON thermostat, an INSTEON appliance module, a home automation software called Indigo running on a Mac Mini, Twilio, a voice and text client, and a Node.js app. As you might have guessed, Siri doesn’t actually do any of the heavy lifting here. The process goes like this: Ask Siri to send a text message to the Twilio number – CDeutsch saved it in his Contacts as ‘Gladys’ as a nod to Portal – e.g. “Tell Gladys to turn off the bedroom fan.” Twilio sends the text to the Node.js app – i.e. it is Gladys – which will then analyze the message.

To make it more Siri-like, CDeutsch “wrote some semi-fuzzy logic” so that you can use plain speak to relay your commands. The Node.js app will then send the instruction to the Indigo server, and finally the INSTEON turns off the fan or whatever it is that CDeutsch commanded. Before you get unnecessarily blown away, that is not CDeutsch in the picture. That’s probably his daughter. Also his demo doesn’t really prove anything:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

There are plenty of ways in which that fan could have been turned on that doesn’t involve a complicated automated system. I’m not saying I don’t believe CDeutsch, but I do hope he posts some more videos showing his setup and how it’s all done. But if you’re sold, you can contact him and he’ll gladly make a similar automated system tailored to your needs. Assuming you already have an iPhone 4S of course.

[via CDeutsch's Blog via Unpluggd]

A lot of people probably feel this way because why else would a company come up with something called the iPet Companion? (And no, it’s not by Apple, even though it sort of feels like the name was borrowed from them.)

The iPet Companion actually consists of a set of robotic toys (two, to be exact), a webcam, and a wireless control box that’s linked to your home network. You control the toys via the controls and watch how your pet reacts at home via the camera.

It sounds like an interesting idea, but something just feels off about it. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like it takes out a huge chunk of the fun when it comes to playing with your pets. They probably feel the same way on their end, because your dogs or cats will obviously prefer something with a human touch rather than play with a swinging ball tied to some mechanical contraption.

The iPet Companion normally retails for $850 for cats, and $900 for dogs, but they’re currently running a promo so you can get the system for just $350 to $400. You can also give the iPet a go by checking out their site and playing with some animals housed in some shelters.

[via Gizmag via Dvice]

On some days, the wail of the alarm was enough to set me off. Overdue reports, a thesis to work on, examinations to study for – and the list goes on. If you’re knee-deep in a lot of stuff (be it for school or for work or just personal stuff) and want to somehow relieve yourself of all that early morning stress (albeit in a pretty silly-slash-serious way), then you can do so by shooting up your alarm clock early in the morning in order to keep it quiet.

No bullets involved here, but you do have to point the gun towards the face of the clock to silence the alarm. You don’t need to pull any triggers either, though I wish the manufacturers required you to pull the trigger to shut the alarm off, to make a stronger point, you know.

Nonetheless, this alarm clock with the remote control that’s shaped like a gun is still a pretty neat idea. If you want one of these, you can head on over to I Want One Of These (seriously, I love this store’s name) to get one for £22.95 (~$38 USD.)

[via Coolest Gadgets]

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]

It runs off a replaceable C-battery and acts as the interface between your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad and your home theater system. The iOS app shoots the commands to the Peel hardware over WiFi, and it then shoots it out to your components via infrared. The app portion allows you to change channels and run your DVR, and also can suggest shows based on what you like to watch.

You can set up macro activities with the app that allow you to change inputs and turn components on and off for TV and other things with one button. My Logitech Harmony One remote does that too and it’s an awesome feature. Once you choose your program with the Peel, you can control the DVR and volume using gestures on the iPhone. The Peel system is shipping right now for $99 (USD).

The company is called TCHO and it makes the dark and milk chocolate that Starbucks sells (for more than it’s worth) as well as making its own branded products. The CEO and creative director of the company is Louis Rossetto, the same geek that co-founded Wired Magazine.

View more videos at: http://www.thefeast.com.

The app means that the company chocolate-maker Zohara Mapes can perform some of the tasks she needs to do from home on the weekends rather than having to come in. Too bad the app can’t remotely whip up some s’mores, now that would be impressive.

[via The Feast]

The guys at pandaelf software have managed to put together a fairly complex implementation of their everyAir remote screen control system, which allows them to play PS3 games remotely on both an iPhone and an iPad. In addition to real-time remote video from Sony’s console, the hack also include touch and gesture controls for games.

At its core, the hack requires a video capture card to pull the video over from the PS3 to PC or Mac, and a USB mouse/keyboard converter connected to the PS3.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Gran Turismo 5 on an iPad? Cool, no? The Pandaelves also say they could actually cut out all the extraneous components and let you control your console directly, if Sony were to every open up the OS and allow thse sort of low-level apps to be built by developers. We can dream, can’t we?

Next up, the guys are working on an Xbox 360 demo, and also plan to release a version of this to the public at some point in the future.

[via Redmond Pie]

The boy is named Lyndon Baty and he suffers from polycystic kidney disease, and treatment for the disease has left his immune system suppressed. The poor immune system means he can’t be around other kids to attend classes.

Baty can control the robot from home, drives the thing from class to class with other students, and is able to interact with teachers in class thanks to the webcams. The robot and the yearly service contract cost the school about $6,000.

[via SingularityHub]

The AIWI kit includes a non-slip case with wrist strap for your iOS device, along with software that lets you use it either as an air mouse for controlling presentations or as a motion control for select games. From what I can tell, the system ships with SEGA Virtua Tennis 2009, but from the looks of this demo I caught at CES, it plays Street Fighter IV too.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Looks like there’s a little bit of lag to me, but why not try it for yourself. You can grab a free version of AIWI now over at the App Store, which includes access to a handful of compatible Flash and PC games, or the full version can be purchased online for just $9.99, which comes with 10 PC games and 15 Flash games. I’m not sure where you can grab the version with the case, but you can always just put your iPhone in your own non-slip silicone case and play it that way.

The remote will connect to all other B&O gear in your house via WiFi, which is cool. You can create one-button macro commands to control various entertainment devices around your home. While this is a neat idea, it’s not something new, and can even be found on some cheap universal remotes these days. I guess the rich need to spend their money on something, though.

I usually like the minimal design of B&O, but this thing is a bit distracting. In an age where everyone will soon be using their iPhones to control their HDTVs and homes, these types of super-remotes make less and less sense anyway.

[via Hypebeast via Oh Gizmo!]

Sure, there are apps for your smartphone that can track down your car, but you generally have to remember to set the location before you leave the car. Unfortunately, that can be a pain. This $59 Auto Finder just needs to be installed in your car, and a special keychain added to your car keys. Hold down one button, and it will let you know if you’re pointing in the right direction of your vehicle. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You know, after seeing that thing in action, I can only think of one thing. I want to get one, and hack it into A Ghostbusters P.K.E. meter. I would seriously walk around with one of those, waiting for the little arms on the side to go up all of the way, so I know where the “ghost” is. Who’s with me?

[via CoolestGadgets]

A cool notification system for Android has surfaced called simply android-notifier. The app is a desktop service that will send notifications to your desktop when you get calls or texts on your Android device. That means that you can cram the phone in your bag or desk and still know when you have messages or calls. More importantly, it might keep your coworkers from beating you with a keyboard for not answering the 12th text of the day.

The app sends the notifications to your computer via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Notifications for phone calls also show the number that is calling. The developers are working on USB support next. The big catch is that the desktop software is only available for Mac or Linux right now and the devs say a Windows version will only come when someone volunteers to code it.

Now, thanks to the ingenuity of one Robert Oschler, you’ll soon be able to control the YouTube Leanback experience from the comfort of your easy chair. Robert has managed to put together an application which allows him to use his Wii-mote control and Bluetooth on your PC to allow him to control Leanback wirelessly. Here’s a short video clip showing off his WiiLeanback app in action…

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The cool thing is that Robert plans on releasing WiiLeanback as a downloadable app in “a week or two”, so you’ll be able to do this for yourself without much more than a few keystrokes – which I’m guessing is something you’ll really like, assuming you’re too lazy to get up from the couch to flip to the next video.

The miniature Pano Device sits at each person’s desk, and has just enough processing power to provide network access and a “dumb” terminal attached to a centralized server farm.

The pint-sized device measures just 2″ x 3.5″ x 3.5″ and has Ethernet, VGA, USB, and audio ports, and you can attach local storage devices if you’d like. But there’s no locally-stored software on the box. Instead, everything is run remotely from the data center – cutting down on application maintenance and upgrade costs and time. And each tiny terminal device consumes only about 3% of the power that a full desktop PC uses, saving on energy bills.

While I like the general idea, I’d have to guess that a system like this would be best for organizations with very homogeneous computing and software needs (i.e. everyone needs MS Office etc.) But if you have lots of specialized user needs, this sort of thing is probably not the right fit. And with initiatives like Google Chrome, more and more of the application heavy-lifting and data storage is being offloaded to “the cloud” these days anyway.

You can find more information on the Pano System over at their website.

[via Gizmag via Cool Things]

The beauty of telepresence systems is that they allow people to be in different locations and appear as they are in the same room. Although this would probably work best with holograms, the MeBot is something simpler that uses a small robot to embody the persona of the remote caller.

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The cute robot wears a video screen “head” which displays the face of its operator. There are two small articulating arms and a sort of neck. The robot can also move around on a flat surface.

It’s an interesting idea, but I wonder if the MeBot would ever really catch on. It all seems a little weird to me.

[MIT via Hizook via PlasticPals]

For those too lazy to read my first article, screw you. But let’s hug it out while I tell you what’s so nice about this device. As you can see it’s a wireless keyboard, but what you can’t see is that it has an accelerometer which lets users use the whole thing as a mouse as well. The left and right mouse buttons are located on its shoulder, so you don’t have to shift your grip in between typing and mousing.

The keyboard has a USB dongle, giving it a range of up to 50 m and making it compatible with major operating systems. Watch as this talking plaid shirt demos the keyboard and gives tips on proper usage:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Remember: chu conchol the keyborrh, genchly turrh yo wrish, do nah mooh yo arrhm dish weih.

The air keyboard will go on sale in Germany this March for €79 (approx. $106 USD)… but a quick search shows that a non-MSI rebranded version is already on sale at Amazon for only $90! Now if only I had a credit card.

[via Netbook News via ElectricPig via Everything USB]