There’s a lot about modern technology that would have made my childhood self ridiculously excited. The ability to play the likes of Streets of Rage in the palm of my hand for one, being able to play 3D games without glasses thanks to a Nintendo 3DS for another – even just the opportunity to call someone from a mobile phone would have seemed pretty futuristic to the 10 year old me. I think this next one is going to take the prize of most amazing, though. Being able to control an indoor helicopter with my iOS device.

That reality is possible thanks to Griffin Technology and their new creation the HELO TC.

The HELO TC is a twin-rotored, indoor helicopter built on a lightweight metal frame with a black polycarbonate body. I’m no engineer, but that sounds pretty stylish to me. The sample images certainly back that thought up.

The helicopter comes with a Flight Deck infrared module which plugs into the iOS device in order to transmit control signals to the helicopter. Two types of flight are then made available. Touch Control uses the display to control the throttle and virtual joystick. Tilt to Steer mode uses the iOS device’s accelerometers thus meaning that users have a more tactile experience. The app can also record and store three Flight Plans so that users can repeat a flight pattern quickly and easily.

The HELO TC is a very neat idea. The helicopter’s built in battery recharges from any USB power source while the Flight Deck module simply needs 4 AAA batteries. It’s simple things like this that means the HELO TC will be a very affordable $49.99 upon its retail release later this year, just in time for the holiday season.

For those who can’t wait, the HELO TC is also available from the Griffin Technology site, although be warned, it’s currently showing as out of stock there.

FREE!

HELO TC

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-08-01 :: Category: Entertainment

The new iPhone is here, or will be on Friday. We’ve already covered the big bucket of amazing that is the iPhone 3GS and the huge disappointment that is the horrible carrier we are saddled with here in the US. But, let’s get back to the item at hand, our Design the Next iPhone contest.

As you remember our contest was for you, our faithful readers, to pick the features that you thought would be announced on the next iPhone, the one we now know as the iPhone 3GS. We had a great turnout for entries and before we announce the winners, let’s take a look at some of the most popular things people thought we’d see in the iPhone 3GS but won’t.

The most expected feature that wasn’t announced (yet), was multiple colors other than black and white at 34%. Following that closely was wireless syncing and then multitasking for third party apps.

The least picked features overall were the Apple logo used as a flash and wireless charging (ala the Palm Pre).

Contest Results

A big huge thanks to Griffin Technology for sponsoring our contest. They donated over $200 in great products to use as prizes for this contest.

The first place winner of our contest was John Clayton from Illinois. He’ll be getting a great prize pack from Griffin Technology including a PowerDock4, TuneBuds Mobile, and iTrip AutoPilot.

Second place was won by Shivi Aiyar from California. His prize pack from Griffin Technology includes a Clarifi 3G case, and an AirCurve iPhone stand.

And third place winner got a $15 iTunes gift card. The winner was Raul Escutia.

I think we’re all expecting (and hoping) a new iPhone will be announced at the keynote presentation at WWDC in a few weeks. But the rumors as to what features that iPhone will have are all over the place.

Starting today and through the morning of the keynote, we invite you to guess what the features of the next iPhone will be. The three people with the top scores overall will win some great prizes from Griffin Technology with a total retail value of over $250!

Here’s how the contest will work. We’ve gathered a bunch of the rumors we’ve heard and read about the new iPhone and put them in a pick list and assigned points to each based on how unlikely we think each feature is. To enter the contest, you guess which ones are correct. You will get points for each correct feature you guess and lose the points listed for each incorrect feature you choose.

Read on for the full list of prizes and more on how to enter.

Continue reading Design The Next iPhone Contest – Enter Now! »