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Gadget Review

Kymera Wand remote control

Rating 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

 

 

 

 

As you rush headlong toward the cinema to stare at Rob Pattinson onscreen as Edward Cullen in New Moon, remember way back when he played Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince? Things seemed so simple back then, all spells and wands and no fangs and blood.

While you won't get to play with Cedric's wand (ahem - ed) you can play with the Kymera wand remote control. This has to be the coolest remote control ever to operate: you can programme it to change channels, change volume, switch between TV and DVD and so on, all based on your wrist action (now, really! - ed).

The Kymera magic wand remote controls your TV, digital box, stereo or any other infra-red device through 13 different magical flourishes and gestures.

It can learn

Bring out your inner wizard by teaching the wand to do what your existing remotes to do. You can programme these 13 different actions from the existing infrared codes of your own remotes in "learning mode" (there's a free downloadable PDF manual on the Firebox website with instructions) by quickly double tapping the wand on the criss-cross section. It will flash rapidly four times, meaning it's ready to learn.

Point the wand at the remote control you want it to "learn" from and do your thing: a flick to the right could change the channel, a big swish could bring up your menu or a tap could change the volume. So let's say I decide that a clockwise swirl means "turn down the volume", I do the clockwise swirl, my wand starts to pulse rapidly and then I point my TV remote at it and turn down the volume. The wand will pick up on this and one big pulse means it has learned.

This is the perfect present for Harry Potter nuts who already have all the books, films, posters, figurines and even the Hogwarts scarf. (No, I'm not talking about me. Honestly).

Price: €55

Get it: Online from www.firebox.com

Photo: The Kymera wand remote control.

By Marie Boran

 

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