LIKE MAGIC, BUT SCIENCE One remote so smart it will rule them all

What if you had one remote that was so smart it could communicate with more than 25 000 Bluetooth, infrared and wireless devices? This might sound like a low-budget buytwo-get-one-free television promo from the ’90s, but in this case it’s really not.

The aptly named Smart Remote from Sevenhugs takes smart devices to an entirely new level by instantly interacting with a device as the user points the remote in the direction of the device.

Sevenhugs co-founder and CEO, Simon Tchedikian, has said he completely understands the frustration of a consumer confronted with modern devices, each of which has its own app or controller, making for clutter and confusion.

“We’ve pushed the boundaries of today’s technologies to build a better solution,” he says. “For the first time in history, we’ve integrated a precise indoor positioning system in a consumer electronic device, allowing users to control tens of thousands of connected devices in a simple and intuitive way. All you have to do is point at what you want to control.”

The remote comes with three sensors that need to be placed in the room where it will be used. Once the sensors are installed, the remote can be pointed at any device and it will instantly interact with it.

It can even tell you the weather if you point to a window. PM

CAR Don’t bother. Just replace it. And if you have a K&N cone filter, don’t even do that. Being dirty doesn’t necessarily hurt it.

LAWN MOWER Paper filters can be blown out with compressed air. For a primary foam filter, blow it out, then wash it with degreaser and water. Moisten with clean engine oil before reinstalling.

VACUUM See “Dishwasher.”

WINDOW A/C UNIT Go over it with the tube of a vacuum or run it under the sink. Let dry before replacing.

wouldn’t pass health inspection. The only cleaning supplies we had were boxes of Brillo steel-wool soap pads and hot water. For three horrible August afternoons we scrubbed shelving racks behind the restaurant, littering the ground with the usedup nubs of Brillo pads and the soaked cardboard boxes they came in. It took two hours to clean each shelving unit rod by rod, knuckles busting when the pads would slip loose. Old chowder pots ground down two or three pads each. Our fingers stung from the steelwool splinters. The sour smell of old chowder and hot soapy water made my nose run and my skin crawl. It was terrible work, but to this day when I need something really clean, I reach for only one thing. – Michael Wilson

A chemical added to a cleaner that helps it make more suds, which help it grab soil, which can then be washed away.

HERE COME THE WARM JETS

For the patio. Or the pool if you wanna be literal.