However, One For All reckons its new SmartControl unit is the first one to work with the new wave of digital equipment, including high definition TVs, iPod docks, Blu-ray players, games consoles, MP3 players and home cinema components.

The unit includes specific buttons for common functions including 16:9 (widescreen), TV guide button, a pop up clearer, plus menu items such as “Watch Movie” that controls volume on TV and functions on DVD and amp at the same time.

It’s the sort of thing that a number of manufacturers already implement via HDMI on their own systems, but that usually means that you need to buy equipment from the same company.

SmartControl’s solution should work with most systems, as it includes the SimpleSet three button setup system for popular brands, with the remote able to learn any function from the original RCUs.

It won’t break the bank, either, as it’s available for around £25 ($40).

SmartControl

The AR.Drone is a quadricopter (central cockpit and four propellers) that’s fully controllable via an iPhone or iPod Touch.

Operating over Wi-Fi, it features two cameras. One is used to allow the drone to sense its height and speed, which pictures from the second are relayed back to the iPhone where they can be used either as-is or as part of “Augmented Reality” games.

Various onboard technology, including three axes accelerometer and gyro and an ultrasound sensor, helps to compensate for environmental factors such as wind when flying the drone outside and makes the drone very easy to fly. The iPhone’s accelerometer is put to full use in controlling its flight.

What’s exciting is that Parrot have offered an open environment for games developers, so we could start to see games that use the drone. Even so, it’s exciting enough just to have the drone as it is.

Exact pricing and availability is still be confirmed, though it’s expected to be available this year.

Parrot

Ahh, I’ve never grown tired of the notion that everyone who lives in Australia stands on their head because it’s on the other side of the world from Britain (not exactly, of course).

It’s all in celebration of The Ashes series which starts next month. Cricket is a sport that both Brits and Aussies understand but the former seldom does particularly well at.

Anyway, back to the remote control unit itself. You’ll notice that Sky hasn’t gone to the effort of rotating the entire design through 180 degrees, or even flipping every button, because some items like the central “play/pause” button have obviously not been fully rotated because of their odd shape.

I’m sure Sky could’ve gone much further with this – maybe sending a new version of the EPG to the set-top box without the user’s permission so that all the programme listings are upside-down as well. Or transmitting the programmes upside-down or played backwards. Yep, I think that’d be really good for business.

There’s no mention of how you can get your hands on one of these funky new RCUs. I bet with a Stanley knife and some glue you could easily make your own version (albeit one that doesn’t work when you reassemble it).

I wonder if the Australian Broadcasting Corporation will consider doing the same.

For those that haven’t quite worked it out, below is what the original Sky+HD remote looks like.

Your husband (or wife, for that matter) wants to spend the night watching footie. Or perhaps American football. Or some other show that you absolutely dislike. On the other end of the spectrum, you want to watch your favourite show on the telly. An argument ensues. And goes on for a bit. And a bit more. Who wins in the end? Beats me.

But if you are on the losing end of that argument, I think I have a pretty good idea of how frustrated you can be. So here’s my gift for you: the TV Off Remote Jammer!

This little baby can give you power – absolute power! – over any TV set that you meet. To exercise that power, you just need to point the Jammer at the set. You can then do whatever you wish to do: turn it off, change the channel, or mute the sound! Even if your spouse eventually finds out what you are doing (if you are smart, he or she never will), I am willing to bet that the satisfaction that you will feel is not easily rivaled by any other feeling.

Even better, if you like doing practical jokes, head on over to the nearest sports bar and start playing with all the TV sets they have. I can now just imagine the ruckus that will ensue, especially if you do this in the middle of an exciting game of footie or rugby. (Okay, I admit, that is a suicidal thought.)

Anyhow, if you want one – and I am pretty sure you do – get it at Crazy About Gadgets for 9.99GBP.

As an adult however, I know that mowing the lawn could be hell. It gets even worse if you have a big lawn OR if your property is located on the hillside. While you can always go for the “naturalistic” look  wherein you just let nature go its own way,  it does not always look appealing.

How about if you get yourself one of these handy robots? Dubbed the Hybrid GOAT ROBOT series, these babies can mow your lawn on its own! Well, not really, you still have to control it by radio, but the idea is that you can sit on a nice lounge chair, under the shade of a huge umbrella, and sip ice tea (or a mojito if you wish!).

Manufactured by Evatech, the Hybrid GOAT ROBOT lawn mowers can be controlled up to half a mile away (that’s about 0.8 kilometers). Even better, it can work its way up and down slopes as much as 70 degrees! This spells good news to those with hilly property.

The downside? They can bite a huge chunk of your money. The basic version costs $5,299 (3,777GBP) while the hunky one costs $11,999 (8,554GBP). Whew! Think NOT cutting the grass yourself is worth this much?