Lazer Tag Team Ops Hosting Station
For that past few months I have been on the waiting list for for one of Doug's LTHQ hosting stations. I missed the prototype run and while I am first on the list for the second batch, it seems a long wait. Then I saw a product that looked perfect: the Beacon from Griffith Technologies. It uses a Bluetooth connection to send IR signals, it can learn new signals, and it is battery powered. Unfortunately, there will be no open API for developers to make their own apps (like a laser tag hosting station or apps to control my Air Hogs helicopters) so I looked for an alternative. Not seeing one prebuilt, I looked for parts that met my desire: Small & Portable Battery Powered Bluetooth connection Adaptable IR interface (multiple formats and frequencies) Reasonable sunlight performance An open interface protocol so that it can be controlled by a variety of devices What I came up with: IOIO Board for Android The IOIO (pronounced "yo-yo") board costs $45-$50