According to Griffin, its PowerMate knob and button gained a “dedicated user base.” I don’t know whether that’s one thousand or one million users, but apparently that base is dedicated enough that Griffin was compelled to release an update to the PowerMate Bluetooth, which now connects to OS X 10.8+ computers via NFC. Just kidding. It uses Bluetooth. I was testing you. You passed.
Out of the box, you can use the PowerMate Bluetooth to adjust the volume or mute your Mac. It also has preset controls for iMovie and Garageband. But it also comes with a companion software where you can add commands for various programs and manage multiple units. Griffin also gave a few instances where the device was hacked. People used it as a MIDI controller, as a gaming display and an audio visualizer. Mike Flaminio checked out the PowerMate Bluetooth at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES):
The PowerMate Bluetooth will be available this summer for $60 (USD). Honestly I think the Palette will get you more bang for your buck, but if you really want a wireless setup then the PowerMate Bluetooth may be what you’re looking for.
[via Griffin]
If you ever watched a professional automotive racing event, whether it was NASCAR or something else, you undoubtedly noticed that the cars tend to bump into each other a lot. The more the vehicles bump into each other, the more their performance is degraded. Griffin has unveiled a new iOS controlled racing car called the Moto TC Rally that brings the “rubbin’ is racing” mentality to the toy world.
The Moto TC Rally is a remote control car that uses an iOS application for control. The coolest part about the car is its Bump n’ Run feature. That feature uses impact sensors around the car to know when your competitors run into you. You can score points for causing damage to competitors and the more virtual damage your vehicle sustains, the worse your car handles and drives.
You can also just race the cars and the app has a built-in lap counter. The app also offers a number of power ups allowing you to repair your vehicle and add virtual armor. You can also deploy attacks on your opponents including the ability to mix up their controls and make them go slower. The Moto TC Rally is available now for $99.99(USD).
Most of the times, people discard charging docks because they would rather have their phone protected by a case at …