Review: the Kymera Magic Wand remote control
In September we told you about a very cool remote control wand that was about to go on sale.Since then, the creator of the wand offered to give Jamie a demonstration of the Kymera Magic Wand in the comfort of Jamie's own home using his own electronic equipment.
Jamie was blown away by the technology and wrote up a review for MuggleNet (the full review can be accessed by clicking the "Read More..." link at the bottom of this post):
It was roughly two minutes into my interview with Chris Barnardo, mastermind of the Kymera magic wand, that we got onto the topic of Arthur C. Clarke’s third law: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Chris quoted it with such passion that I knew I was about to see some sorcery in action, and before I know it, I’m turning lights off with the flick of a wand and turning up the volume on my iPod dock with a majestic twizzle.
The Kymera magic wand is truly a puzzle piece of engineering. About halfway into the interview Chris laments that 300 years ago he’d have been burnt at the stake. If I’m being honest, I’m surprised he escapes that punishment today. I simply have no idea how the wand works (although he does explain it to me), but am infinitely impressed with it. The technology is clever. The wand is heavy-ish but not cumbersome, and fits comfortably in the palm. The styling is rustic, Victorian and sleek, but not overpowering. One gets the sense that this wasn’t made simply for aesthetics.
Chris elaborates on this point:
“I wanted the wand to capture the newness felt when you receive something extra special, and for users to feel proud of it, to want to show it off. Over and above this I wanted it to be functional.”
After I’ve got over the initial shock, I come to agree with Chris. The wand is certainly functional. He taps the side of the wand with three fingers, and announces it’s now in learning mode. He then jabs the wand forwards, picks up my Sky remote control and points it at the wand, pressing the ‘Menu’ button. This process is repeated for a clockwise twist, a jab backwards, and a huge swish, and then the fun begins.
He whips the wand through the air, like a snake. My television turns on. No, I’m not kidding. He jabs the wand forwards and the TV guide appears. A quick flick down, and we highlight the ‘Sports’ option. A jab backwards and we’re in the Sports menu, then a jab forward and the football comes on. I’m impressed. Chris whips the wand through the air again and my television turns off.
Now it’s my turn. I’m apprehensive, but I soon come to be amazed. This thing is very cool, and I’m definitely having fun. I turn the TV on, change some channels, turn up the volume, move back and forth between menus and – after it’s time to get back to business – I turn everything off with a resounding, satisfying swish. So the wand gets 10/10 for being functional and very awesome, but is it going to replace the good old remote control? No, but it definitely has a market.
The wand simplifies your remote control from the MTV-generation device you’ve got next to your 50” plasma to something that is really all you need when it comes to controlling your television, or anything else for that matter. Half the buttons on my remote control I don’t use, and the rest I don’t know how to use. So it’s nice to return to something ‘primal,’ as it were. Although interestingly because the Kymera magic wand can learn any infrared command you can program any functions that you like into it.
It’s a great gift, a great device and a great talking point. If you buy one, it’ll certainly be the first thing you show people when they come round to your house. I can already see it becoming massive at Harry Potter conventions; after all, with a bit of careful rigging, one rapid swish could turn the lights on, turn the sound system up, turn the plasma TVs on and much, much. It’s electronic automation, wizard style, and that’s enough to put a smile on any Potter fan’s face.
For more information about the Wand and to order, click here.
Posted by Andrew on Oct 30th |
32 Comments
Visitor Comments
...a REMOTE control wand? Surely no one can be that desperately hardcore.
me i 'am
that wand looks amazing... if you go to their website, that alone is neat. I'm amazed at how it looks and works! -- doesn't mean I'll get one; I don't really have 50 british pounds plus more for shipping to Colorado :)
I am a wand/ harry potterholic, so I MUST get this wand!!!
No way!!! This is just too cool!!!
I WANT IT NOW!!!!!! This is awesome!!! I'm almost certain it's going to cost a ridiculous amount of money since it's only available in the UK right now. Even the website looks bloody amazing!!! GENIUS!!
I think this thing would definitely be entertaining, but not US$100 entertaining...
Great to hear from Jamie! And his excitement is convincing!
HA HA nice
My wand is now on order. My friends already duck when I wave my wooden Allivans wand around. I can't wait to see their expressions when I wave this one and the TV goes off. Should be worth every penny of the $99USD (including shipping).
I remember hearing about this in September and it's been on my mind constantly. Definitely buying this. Haha! CassandraM, my friends duck when I swish my Alivans wand, too! I am so excited.
Sweeet! Really awesome, totally have to get it :-P.
Very cool! I'm sure lots of HP fans will love this!
Wow, that sounds amazing! I want one!
I wouldn't mind a wand if it could help me with the housework. I need one to clean the bathroom. To turn on and off the t.v. and the stereo system is o.k. , I guess.
That would be incredible to have, but it's so expensive!
tehe...I reserved mine a while ago and i got it in the mail a couple weeks back...it's SWEET.
Cool! I honestly probably won't get one, but that is cool. And Jamie is a good writer. :)
... I think I just wet myself
That is possibly one of the coolest things ever.
i dont understand how that wand works on things in your home but thats amazing!! and im sure they would be VERYYYY expensive!
watch it on youtube: http://www [dot] youtube [dot] com/watch?v=IgvmuF7f_-Y
Love the comment "half the buttons on my remote I don't use and the rest I don't know how to use"! That is SO everyone on f-ing EARTH! I only fear that Swish-n-Flick might be beyond all o us at House Black as well! But I want that Steampunk Wand!
As an owner of one of these wands, I can honestly say that I have absolutely no regrets in buying this wand. When I started using it, I was stunned at how great the interface was and how easy it was to make it learn. If you're hardcore like me, I would 100% advise you to throw down the $90 and get it. For sure.
I will be ordering mine shortly!!!!! :D :D :D This is probably the coolest thing I've ever seen.
Sorry Andrew, but "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" is SPOCK's Law. Who else would expound on technology? Arthur C. Clarke's 3 laws are (1) A robot may not harm a human being or, thru inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. (2) A robot must obey any order given by a human, unless doing so would violate the 1st law. (3) A robot must act in self preservation, unless doing so would violate the 1st or 2nd law. Knowing these laws and that Clarke wrote 2001 A Space Odessy. can you explain how Hal could act as he did?
looks like fun, bit of over the top and expensive fun, but fun nevertheless......till I use it and with the terrible state of TV programs I would probably try to AK showhosts on the screen.
Kamion.. How DARE you! lol
Oh goddddddddddddd, that's so awesome and I'm so broke. XD;;; But even if I don't get one, that technology is hella exciting, especially hearing from so many people about how well it works! I can't wait to see where that goes!!
that has to be one of the coolest things i've ever heard of. i'm too broke to buy one but i wish i knew someone i could talk into getting one so i could play with it! and, wow, jamie is a really good writer. nice review.
haha Hermionenessie wants to play with Someone's Wand, LMAO! ;)
The Kymera Wand Community site is in the making at http://www [dot] kymera-wand [dot] com. Working together with the genius wand makers Chris Barnardo and Richard Blakesley of The Wand Company Ltd. we want to provide a place where wand users can get the latest information, share their experiences and stories and discuss anything related to the Kymera Wand. The wandmakers intend to handle their customer care forums and share news and information via our site. Happy Casting Michael
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