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"Sometimes a product tie-in with a TV show or movie is pretty poorly thought out (Star Trek waffles, anyone?). And sometimes it's dead-on perfect, as in the case of this gesture-based remote control modeled after the \"sonic screwdriver\" that the title character on BBC's Doctor Who carries around (the series returns for its season premiere Sept. 1).\nFor the uninitiated, the sonic screwdriver is the Doctor's do-anything tool that gets him out of various scrapes by picking advanced alien locks, modifying phones to enable them to make calls across time and space, and, yes, unscrewing things. Of course, it does all these amazing things wirelessly, at a (relatively short) distance.\nSee also: How the Internet saved 'Doctor Who'\nThat magical quality makes the sonic screwdriver an excellent candidate for a remote control. There's one problem, though: the tool, as shown on TV, has just one or two buttons, and there's no LCD screen. The makers of the SS remote got around this problem by making it almost completely gesture-based, translating hand movements \u2014 pushing, tapping, twisting and many others \u2014 into commands.\nGestures and Limitations\nIt's a clever idea, and it works well, though it takes practice. You'll need to cure yourself of the habit of holding your remote control in your hand while you watch, since any movement can trigger a command. That can mean big delays if you accidentally start rewinding while watching a streaming service like Hulu Plus.\nThere's also the (mild) challenge of programming the commands into the remote control. The screwdriver is a \"learning\" remote. You teach it commands, one by one, via your existing remotes by holding them close to each other and pressing the button you want to transfer while the screwdriver is in a special mode.\nIt's tedious, but it's actually quite easy. And if you've spent the money on this thing, you'll no doubt be up for the challenge. However, it'll feel like a throwback to anyone who's used to programming remotes by inputting codes (an impossible task on a remote with no number buttons). There are 13 total gestures that you can program into 3 \"memory banks,\" for a grand total of 39 commands.\n(more after the gallery)\n\n\nDoctor Who's Sonic Screwdriver: TV Remote With a (Literal) Twist\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDoctor Who Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote Control\nThe Doctor's do-anything tool gets re-imagined as a remote control. It's gesture-based, meaning your hand movements get translated into commands for your TV (or other gear). It costs $99.95 from ThinkGeek.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDisplay Stand\nThis stand for the screwdriver comes in the box.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGreat Build Quality\nThe remote control has a very solid metallic build.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nInfrared Remote\nThe tip of the remote lights up when it sends a command.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne Button\nThe only button is on the rear, which serves mainly to switch modes.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSounds as Well\nThe screwdriver also makes sounds from the TV show when it performs commands. If they get annoying, you can switch to a \"quiet\" mode.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBlueprint Instructions\nThe screwdriver comes with instructions in the form of a clever blueprint, with fun references to the TV show (\"...a device for remotely controlling Earth-based domestic home entertainment equipment...\").\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nInstructions, Back\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat's in the Box\nHere's everything you get in the box. It's powered by a pair of AAA batteries (not included)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCompared to Toy Screwdriver\nHere's the remote control put beside the plastic toy sonic screwdriver that's been available for a while. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince the screwdriver uses infrared signals to learn its commands, you won't be able to use it with any gear that's paired with RF-based remotes (like on some newer connected TVs). I also found it had trouble learning from some infrared remotes, such as Vizio's.\nAnother limitation: The screwdriver can never be your primary remote control. That's because you can't program multi-command \"macros\" \u2014 where you turn on your TV, Blu-ray player and receiver and switch them to the right settings with one gesture. That's not the worst thing, since I don't think anyone in their right minds would stick their old remotes in a drawer after getting this; it's a novelty item you'll use casually while watching, not a serious remote-control replacement.\nFor True Fans\nNonetheless, I found the sonic screwdriver remote control to be a genius pairing of fictional item with real product. It's clear the creators took great care to emulate the screwdriver in the show, and it has a great metallic build \u2014 much better than the plastic sonic screwdriver toy that's been around for a couple of years.\nDoctor Who fans will love the instructions, which are done in a blueprint fashion, with clever writing (\"To avoid confusion and chaotic usage, this model has had its psychic control interface disabled.\"). There's also a pure FX mode, where the screwdriver makes many different noises from the TV show (some from the '60s!). Finally, it comes with a nice display stand, so you can show off how much of a superfan you are to your houseguests (right, like you have guests).\nYou can buy the Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote Control, starting today, from ThinkGeek for $99.95. For most people, that's pretty steep. To fans, that's a bargain price for bringing the magic of Doctor Who that much closer to reality.\nLet us know what you think of the sonic screwdriver remote control and our video in the comments."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2012/08/31/doctor-who-sonic-screwdriver-review/>