Shopping | Technology Hub

Image by stormwarning. via Flickr

These days with so many gadgets available a person can lose track of all their remote controls! Universal remotes have become very popular as a way to combine remotes into one convenient site.

Just What is a Universal Remote?

A universal remote is a remote control that can be programmed to run many brands and types of electrical goods which each need a single remote to use. Depending on the level of remote quality you buy, the number of devices you can programme in will vary.

Universal Remote Features

Most universal remotes consist of the following features.

On/off button and buttons specific to devices such as TV, DVD, etc…
Channel and volume selectors.
Numeric keypad.

More expensive universal remotes will have the following features.

User programming capabilities, such as allowing a person to program into the remote the commands wanted.
The ability to allow a user to control multiple devices without switching the remote settings, such as, a user could change the channel on the TV whilst turning the volume up on the stereo and not have to switch from TV to stereo on the remote.
The ability for the remote to be set up to use a computer.
Some remotes come with bluetooth capabilities instead of using infrared.

A universal remote controls is a great way of keeping things need and tidy in your media room. And because you are only using one remote, it is a great way to cut down on costs associated with buying batteries, as you don’t have to keep refilling a bunch of remotes with new batteries.

High Tech Gadgets for Your Home

Image by alancleaver_2000 via Flickr

20 years ago, the every day gadgets we have in our homes today would have been considered futuristic. Here are some gadgets which are considered futuristic today, but in 20 years may be every day items.

Floor Plan Light Switch

Do you sometimes leave a room at one end of the house only to get to the other end and realize you left the light on? Well, a floor plan light switch could solve your problems. Along with having light switches in each room, there is a central control panel which you can use to turn any lights throughout the house on or off. Perhaps a closer option than trudging all the way back to the room where you left the light on!

Self Sterilizing Door Handle

This would be fantastic in a public toilet, but is just as useful for your home toilet. Such a device can help prevent the spread of germs which transmit via hand contact. When the handle is not being used, an internal UV lamp will continuously sterilize with heat. THe moment the sensor detects pressure or movement, the lamp turns off. Because it is a UV lamp it does not make the handle too hot to touch.

IQ Alarm Clock

Snooze buttons are an enemy for some. The mindless action of hitting a button does not help anyone if they love to sleep in! The IQ alarm clock is smarter than the average clock. It initiates lucid thinking in a person waking up by asking questions repeatedly which need an answer. The questions don’t stop until you hit the right answer from the options available. That’s enough to get anyone up in the morning.

The Universal Remote