Crave

(Credit: Tech On)

Don't you hate it when your TV remote runs out of juice? Or when your clicker gets totaled by a battery leak? NEC and Soundpower Corporations' new battery-less remote control may be the solution. This technology is based on three key components:

• Vibration power generation that harnesses energy created by clicking a remote button
• A microprocessor that transmits and receives data in varying bandwidths
• A power supply controller that drives the electronics with minimal electricity

It will probably take some time for this technology to mature, but both companies are planning to promote its adoption in the consumer electronics market as early as 2011. That said, do we have to click such remotes furiously just to get them running fresh out-of-the-box?

(Source: Crave Asia via Tech On)

What's worse than a lost or stolen iPhone? Uh, hello? Nothing! That's why Apple invented Find My iPhone--and charges $99 per year for it as part of the MobileMe service.

If you're not willing to spend that much but want some kind of insurance against an iPhone that goes missing, check out Orbicule's Undercover.

This $4.99 app covertly transmits your phone's location and IP information to your browser-based Undercover account (free), thus allowing you to bust in on the thief and, guns blazing, take back your precious.

By which I mean, of course, work with local authorities to recover your iPhone in a safe and law-abiding fashion. Of course.

You can learn a lot more in the above video. However, there are a couple caveats that aren't mentioned.

For one thing, your iPhone won't transmit its location unless the finder/thief runs the Undercover app or its companion Found app, or taps any of the push notifications you send. (I love the fake bank-account message Orbicule uses to entice thieves.)

Also, unlike MobileMe, Undercover offers no way to remotely lock or wipe your iPhone.

And let's not forget that all such recovery methods are dependent on your iPhone having a charged battery. If it's outta juice, you're outta luck.

That's why I recommend supplementing an option like this with an analog solution like a StuffBak sticker, which at least will help an honest person track you down.

That said, Undercover may not be perfect, and it offers no guarantees, but for five bucks it's almost a no-brainer for anyone looking for cheap insurance. I'm sold.

(Credit: 900Global)

I suck at bowling, and the only time I'll play this game is on the Wii in the comfort of my home without the guy in the next lane snickering at me. But it seems I can soon conquer my local bowling joint with this remote-controlled bowling ball from 900 Global.

The RC900 has an adjustable weight mechanism built within and it can shift around to swing the ball back to the right direction, and in my case, away from the gutter. But make sure you color the ball with some opaque paint, or else everyone will know what your magic is.

Does $1,500 justify the price? Well, if your dignity hangs on the last strike, go for it, champ. Just don't get caught with the controller in your hand.

(Source: Crave Asia via Newlaunches)

(Credit: Rakuten)

Hang on. You're coughing and sneezing your lungs out, and you want ME to come inside Ground Zero to pass you a tissue? No thanks. Four little letters and numbers: H1N1.

Fortunately, we have Rakuten's Running Tissue Box to come to the rescue. Using a standard remote-control chassis, you put a tissue box on top and drive the absorbent paper to its destination at a maximum of 26 feet away. Think of it as a bomb disposal robot that enters dangerous contaminated territory where no man should tread.

The only thing that makes us scratch our heads is how long it took for someone to bring this idea to fruition. The Running Tissue Box comes in white, red, and black and costs around $25. It's available from online stores such as Japan Trend Shop.

(Credit: Japan Trend Shop)

(Source: Crave Asia via CrunchGear)

(Credit: Imregun Erturk)

How many cameras can float in the air and take pictures of you automatically? None, and there probably won't be any for some time to come. This is how skeptical I am of the Wagabond conceptualized by Turkish designer Imregun Erturk.

According to Erturk, the Wagabond can float in the air (the floating mechanism wasn't explained) and users can employ a remote control to adjust the height and shooting angles. This gizmo is targeted at lone travelers who don't want to bother people around them to help take their pictures.

All that is required for the user is to place the Wagabond on the floor and then use the remote control to activate it. The snapper will then float to the designated position and start taking shots.

I'm not placing too much hope for the Wagabond to go into commercial production. For now, I'll just use my Gorillapod.

(Source: Crave Asia via Trendhunter)

JayBird's Tiger Eyes are one of the better-looking choices.

Now that Apple is thoroughly touting the headphone remote capability of its various iPods, third-party headphone manufacturers are scrambling to provide products with integrated playback controls. One solution we've seen is the in-line remote cable attachment that can connect to any set of headphones, thereby letting you simply update your favorite pair.

Of course, if you need to upgrade from Apple's stock earbuds anyway, picking up a brand new model with the controls (and mic, if applicable) built-in makes more sense. There isn't a huge variety to choose from right now, but we managed to round up four sets of earphones that offer the feature.

Check out headphones with iPod controls.

CNET calls the Logitech Harmony One "arguably the best consumer remote control currently available," and I agree. I've owned one for nearly two years, and it's without a doubt my favorite remote ever.

Alas, Logitech still sells it for $249, same as when it debuted in early 2008. But if you're willing to go the refurb route, you can get the Harmony One for $149.99 shipped from CompUSA.

For those not familiar with the Harmony line, its claim to fame is a simple, Web-based interface for setting up your devices, programming "activities" (a.k.a. macros), and so on.

This particular model features a color touch screen, a perfect button layout, and a docking station for keeping its rechargeable battery topped off.

CNET's review (and the above video) should tell you everything you need to know about the Harmony One. For what it's worth, a handful of CompUSA customers rated it 5 stars on average, while some 800 Amazon buyers rated it 4.5 stars. Needless to say, it's a winner.

Because it's a refurb, the warranty expires after 90 days. I have no problem with that; usually, a product like this either works or it doesn't. My 2-year-old One has been dropped, kicked, abused by children, and more, and it's still plugging along just fine.

Thus, if you're in the market for the ultimate universal remote, this is the best deal I've seen yet. (If you know of a better one, be sure to mention it in the comments!)

Starting November 16, Nintendo will begin offering black accessories to match the black Wii console that you don't have. A black Wii remote and MotionPlus will be sold for $50, and the black nunchuk will go separately for $20.

We've speculated about a possible black Wii making its way stateside before, so it's certainly surprising to see black accessories landing on store shelves before the actual black console does. Could this be a taste of things to come?

(Credit: Blaze )

A Wii remote for PlayStation 3? That appears to be exactly what video game accessory maker Blaze had in mind when it conceived of the PS3 Motion Freedom 3D controller.

With a design most likely lifted from Nintendo's book, the new 3D motion-sensing device bears a striking resemblance to the Wii remote right down to its form factor. The key difference is the Motion Freedom 3D's suite of PS3-centric controls, ranging from the PlayStation's signature cross, square, triangle, and circle buttons to the analog stick.

According to Blaze, this hybrid concoction has been ergonomically designed and will give gamers complete control. The only problem is the lack of news on pricing and availability in the company's press release, so there's no telling when you can give it a go.

(Source: Crave Asia)