Set phasers to channel-surf with insanely detailed 'Star Trek' remote control
The official "Star Trek" phaser remote control zaps pretty much any TV, set-top box or music player in the galaxy.
Turn it up Scotty: with the "Star Trek: The Original Series" Phaser Universal Remote Control you're in the Captain's seat every time you watch TV.
The phaser remote is built by the Wand Company, the people behind the "Harry Potter" wand and "Doctor Who" Sonic Screwdriver remotes that change channels with a flick of the wrist.
The new "Star Trek" remote is based on the last remaining "hero" prop used for close-ups in the original show nearly 50 years ago, as wielded by Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner. Accurate 3D laser scans were taken of the prop to recreate the phaser, complete with a removable Type-1 mini-phaser unit on the top.
Instead of setting your phaser to stun, you can set it to store up to 36 remote control commands. Change channels, adjust the volume and open hailing frequencies by flicking your wrist or turning a dial on the top. It's a universal remote control, so works with TVs, set-top boxes, Blu-ray or DVD players, iPod docks and almost anything that uses an infrared remote control. You can set a PIN code to lock the remote, and it also includes ten phaser-firing sounds to recreate your favourite episodes from the comfort of your sofa.
Previously, CBS and Toshiba gave away a phaser-shaped remote with a "Star Trek" HD-DVD box set way back in 2007. That design made some compromises, with standard remote control buttons on the top, but this one is a much more accurate rendition.
If you want to own the real thing, genuine prop phasers used in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," and "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" were among the items in a recent sale of "Trek" movie props including Scotty's torch, Bones' coffee mug, and a brace of Klingon disruptors.
The "Star Trek" phaser remote control comes in a foam-lined presentation case, with a metal stand to display it in your quarters. The phaser will beam down for the first time to Comic-Con in San Diego on 23 July, and achieves standard orbit in shops from November 2014. You can pre-order now from online retailers Firebox and ThinkGeek for £120 or $150 (which convert to about AU$160).