Shoot aerial video from a quad-rotor
helicopter — all controlled via your iPad!
Price: $405
Manufacturer: Parrot
Website: www.ardrone.parrot.com
Connection 802.11n Wi-Fi Requires iPhone,
Pod touch or iPad running lOS 5,
FreeFlight controller app
As the iPhone and iPad become ever more
popular, the scale of the accessories available for them increases in ambition.
At around $405, we’d suggest that the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 is simply too far up
the costliness/frivolity scale for most people, but there’s no denying that
it’s one of the coolest gadgets to land on the MacFormat desks (after having
taken off and flown around the office, of course).
In essence, it’s a remote- controlled
helicopter, but it’s worlds apart from the little choppers you get as Christmas
gifts. It’s packed with sensors to stabilise its flight, four rotors for maximum control, a
little camera to help it avoid hitting the ground, and a 720p HD camera on the
front for recording your flight. And it’s all controlled from an iOS device,
which also shows a live video feed from the camera. No wonder it’s so
expensive.
However, the results are hugely impressive.
Its flight is beautifully smooth, and it’s capable of being adjusted in small,
nuanced movements. You’ll need to figure out the control system, but you’ll
soon be flying in fast, sweeping movements. It’s got a nice big range, too,
which uses Wi-Fi for connecting to your iOS device.
Sometimes it can seem to have a mind of its
own, though gently wandering off from take-off, or not responding in the way
you expect. It also seemed to behave a little oddly when we flew it above wet
grass, seemingly struggling to correctly identify its height It’s easy to
regain control, but these moments stand out when the AR.Drone Is usually so
good. And the feeling of panic when you think you’re losing control is doubled
when the vehicle is so pricey.
Fortunately, it’s possible to repair the
Drone yourself all the parts are for sale on the website - but it’s fairly
hardy in itself. The biggest problem is that it suffers from cripplingly poor
flight times, with just 10 minutes on a full charge, and charging is a very
slow process.
Still, make no mistake, the AR. Drone 2.0
is a hugely impressive piece of equipment - just a rather expensive one.
Sphero robotic ball
Price: $150
Manufacturer: Orbotix
Website: www.gosphero.com
Sphero
is a robot orb about the size of a cricket ball, controlled from a free lOS
app.
Now here’s a great way of annoying your
cat. Sphero is a robot orb about the size of a cricket ball, controlled from a
free lOS app. After charging in the supplied cradle, you connect it to your lOS
device through Bluetooth and steer it around the flu. Its multicoloured LED
means it can glow in any colour you like.
It’s fun for a while at least, and
additional free app-based games and toys such as Draw N’ Drive, Golf and Pet
give it added value. But when it comes down to it, Spheros a novelty product,
and not a cheap one either.
Rha ma45oi earbuds
Price: $60
Manufacturer: RHA
Website: www.rhaaudio.com
Treble
is well defined and lively too, though the bass could be a little crisper.
RHA has a reputation for releasing
high-quality audio products at very affordable prices, and the MA4SOi earbuds
are no exception. Vocals are brilliantly realised, with crystal clarity and
very good detail. Treble is well defined and lively too, though the bass could
be a little crisper.
They’re also very comfortable, have Inline
controls for iOS devices and an anti-tangle cord that does its job well. They
come supplied with a carry bag and an excellent range of tips. Overall, these
are a very credible set of earbuds at any price, and a bargain at $60.
Lacie rugged key 16gb
Price: $52.5
Manufacturer: Lacie
Website: www.lacie.com
This rugged flash drive can be dropped from
up to 100m, is water and temperature resistant, and if you have a 2012 Mac,
offers USB 3.0 transfer speeds, it comes with optional encryption software to
keep your data safe from prying eyes and you can back up to the cloud with
Wuala (16GB provided free for a year).
With its grooved rubber casing and
integrated split ring, it looks more like a miniature hand grenade than a USB
thumb drive, but at least it won’t get damaged if you carry it around with your
keys.
Kaimata tablet stand
Price: $60
Manufacturer: Maroo
Website: www.maroo.com
$60
Manufacturer Maroo - maroo.com
This solid tablet stand is great for on
your desk, its base section is weighty enough to stop it tipping over or
sliding. Stiff hinges hold your iPad without slipping, though it wobbles when
prodded. It can hold the iPad in portrait or landscape mode, or at an angle for
typing.
The rubber-based trays set into the stand
hold knick-knacks you don’t want to lose, and the centre tray is a ‘eat fit for
your iPhone. Although described as being made from ‘high quality aluminium: the
X-shaped unit that holds your iPad is made of plastic.
