Remote spawned by Dr Who

JAMES CROOT

Last updated 05:00 18/09/2012

THE MASTER: The Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote Control doesn't quite have the range of the fictional version, but will help when hiding behind the sofa.

Relevant offers

Technology

Cracked cellphone? That's cool Financial Times website, Twitter hacked Tech-savvy teachers join Google academy Thwarting mobile marauders Why grown men still play video games Taxman eyes online giant Pack own bags, choose own shopping songs Facebook Likes 'vital to free speech' UK lawmakers challenge on tax Cybersecurity a challenge even for experts

A prominent part of the show for more than 40 years, a version of Doctor Who's sonic screwdriver is now available to buy.

It comes in the form of a universal remote control, which, despite a highish price tag, will soon have Whovians across the nation gesturing wildly at TV screens and iPod docks.

A surprisingly heavy, metal replica of the Mark VII screwdriver currently used by the Doctor, the remote uses infraredtechnology to store various remote control commands. So now instead of just pushing play on your MySky remote you can flourish your sonic screwdriver and tap, rotate or flick it like a wand.

Up to 39 commands can be stored, however, it's probably best you make use of the three divided sections and only store commands for three remotes or you'll get awfully confused.

Programming is simply a matter of making a gesture and then pointing your original remote towards the screwdriver while holding down the button/command you want to store (thankfully there's a voice-guided setup).

An inbuilt security setting will also prevent any unauthorised use, however, that may be superseded by battery drain - after just 15 minutes of programming it was already warning me that the batteries were running low.

Now, if Mattel can just come through with a working Hoverboard, all my childhood dreams will be complete.

Available in New Zealand from mightyape.co.nz.

Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote Control