Category Archives: Gadgets & Apps

All posts that don’t obviously fit in one of the sub-categories go here.

The Armatron

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While RadioShack is famous for its eclectic tech history, the Armatron stands out as one of the most mechanically impressive toys of the early 1980s.

Origin and Manufacturing

The Armatron was originally manufactured by the Japanese company Tomy (where it was known as the Edge) and was licensed to RadioShack for the North American market in 1982. It became a staple of the “Tandy” catalog throughout the decade.

Mechanical Ingenuity

What makes the Armatron a significant piece of toy history is its strictly mechanical design.

  • Single-Motor Operation: Despite having six degrees of freedom—including rotation at the base, shoulder, elbow, and wrist, plus a functioning gripper—the entire unit is powered by a single DC motor.
  • The Transmission: The complexity lies in its gearbox. The dual joysticks engage different sets of gears and shafts to distribute power from that single motor to the various joints.
  • No Microprocessors: Unlike modern robotics, there are no computers or sensors inside. It is a masterclass in analog gear-driven engineering.

Features and Variations

  •  The Timer: The “Energy Level” scale on the front (1 through 10) acts as a countdown timer. Once the timer runs out, the motor stops, challenging the user to complete “missions” within a set timeframe.
  • Accessories: Original boxed sets usually included “nuclear fuel” canisters (small plastic cylinders), a module to move, and a tray to test the user’s dexterity.
  • Mobile Armatron: A later version was released that featured a remote control and treads, allowing the arm to drive around the room.

Legacy

The Armatron was more than a toy; it was often used in educational settings to demonstrate the basics of robotics and mechanical linkage. Its rugged build and distinct “industrial” color palette of grey and orange have made it a highly sought-after item for vintage tech collectors today.

Apple Watch Camera Remote + AirPods Pro 3

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In our ongoing effort to “die broke” I ordered the new Apple Watch 11 and a set of AirPods Pro 3. As I wait for these new toys to arrive, I’ve started playing with the Camera Remote feature on the Apple Watch.
The idea is I can take a photo or video while the phone is across the room (or wherever). In the photo mode it captures a burst of images… and video works as you’d expect.

The AirPods Pro 3 has a number of cool new features, including recording audio from the AirPods instead of the iPhone. In this video (:13) it’s obvious the audio is being recorded from across the room. The new AirPods will also allow me to start and stop the video recording.

 

Apple AirPods: New Health Features

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The upcoming Apple AirPods, particularly the anticipated AirPods Pro 3, are expected to bring a major expansion in health features, turning them into more than just audio devices. Here’s what to expect based on the latest information and insider reports:

  • Heart Rate Monitoring: AirPods Pro 3 are rumored to include sensors capable of monitoring your heart rate from inside your ear canal. This will provide an additional method of capturing health data, complementing what’s currently done by the Apple Watch.
  • In-Ear Temperature Sensing: Apple is reportedly developing in-ear temperature sensors, which can deliver more accurate fever detection and overall body temperature measurement compared to wrist-based sensors. This could be particularly useful for early illness detection and general wellness tracking.
  • Hearing Health Features (Already in AirPods Pro 2): AirPods Pro 2 already offer a clinically-validated hearing test and an FDA-cleared over-the-counter hearing aid mode, making them the world’s first all-in-one hearing health device. The Pro 3 are expected to continue and possibly expand on these features, integrating more hearing health tools and diagnostics.
  • Potential Blood Oxygen and Stress Sensors: Future AirPods models may add even more sensors to monitor blood oxygen levels and provide stress indicators, though these features are reportedly in earlier stages of development[1].
  • Live Translation: Upcoming AirPods models are also expected to receive live translation functionality via software updates, leveraging the device’s microphones and on-device AI to provide real-time language translation during conversations.
  • Broader Health Integration: Apple aims for AirPods Pro 3 to become part of a comprehensive health monitoring platform. Health data from the AirPods may eventually integrate with Apple Health and even electronic medical records, enabling more meaningful health insights and possibly even preventive health alerts powered by AI[.
  • Infrared Camera (Rumored): Some rumors suggest a delay in launch is due to production challenges related to a new infrared camera system in AirPods Pro 3, intended to power advanced health features, though this remains unconfirmed and may delay the release to 2026.

Summary

In short: AirPods Pro 3 are set to introduce heart rate and temperature monitoring, enhanced hearing health tools, real-time translation, and the groundwork for even more advanced health sensing in future models. These additions could make AirPods a central device for daily wellness and medical monitoring, blurring the lines between headphones and health wearables.

AI does my searching these days

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For years, websites were designed to present help: FAQ pages; Customer forums; Step-by-step tutorials; Support articles. But now? Those are often incomplete, out-of-date, buried under SEO sludge, or shaped more to reduce support costs than to actually help.

When I have a software question –even for an app that I’m familiar with– I go straight to an AI assistant. It’s changing how the web works (PDF)

What might AI do for Apple apps

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Following is a list of Apple apps that I use on a regular basis: Files, Notes, Mail, Photos, Numbers, Reminders, Weather, Maps, Contacts, Music, Journal, iMovie, Health, Calculator, and Voice Memos.

My prompt to ChatGPT: Assuming Apple develops and/or acquires state-of-the-art AI to run on all Apple devices… and every Apple app is able to access and understand the data contained in all of the other apps… give me five useful scenarios that AI will make possible. Continue reading →

Seeing AirPods everywhere

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Seems like I’m seeing more and more Apple Watches and AirPods these days. Might be because I recently got an Apple Watch and have my AirPods in most of the time. 

I asked this gentleman how he liked his AirPods and he said he loved ‘em! Which got me thinking about tech preferences by age groups.

While exact figures for iPhone purchases by those over 60 are scarce, the data suggests that approximately 23% to 49% of older adults use iPhones, depending on the specific age range and data source. This reflects a notable presence of iPhone users in this demographic, though Android holds a slight edge among older generations.

Among wearable device owners, the Apple Watch is the most-owned, with 44.14% of respondents in a study indicating they owned one. Health monitoring features, such as heart rate tracking and fall detection, are particularly appealing to this demographic.

Couldn’t find any data on AirPods by demo.