I have an irresistible urge to purchase both an iPhone and a badass model airplane after checking out the iPhly. This device/app developed by Ari Krupnik lets you control a remote-controlled vehicle using your iPhone.
The iPhly has a special case that lets you tune into your device's frequency and a custom app that lets you control it. The controls are easy enough to learn: turning the plane can be done by turning the iPhone, making the plane climb or descend can be done by bringing the phone up and down, shaking the phone kills the engine and swiping the iPhone's screen lets you move the plane left and right.
iPhly works with boats and cars and is currently being sold for $99 for just the case and $139 for a case and a frequency module and receiver. Hopefully this device encourages people who were formerly put off by the big and bulky controls of R/C vehicles to give things a second go. I know I am a lot more open to earning my miniature wings now than I was before.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Remote-controlled Vehicle Integration
- The iPhly phone case demonstrates the trend of integrating smartphones into remote-controlled vehicle control, opening up new opportunities for innovative control mechanisms.
- Gesture-based Control
- The iPhly's use of shaking the phone to kill the engine and swiping the screen to move the plane left and right highlights the trend of gesture-based control in remote-controlled vehicles, presenting opportunities for more intuitive and immersive interactions.
- Miniaturization of Devices
- The iPhly's compact phone case and app showcase the trend of miniaturization in the remote-controlled vehicle industry, paving the way for smaller and more portable control solutions.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Consumer Electronics
- The iPhly phone case aligns with the consumer electronics industry, offering potential for disruptive innovation in smartphone accessories and remote-controlled vehicle integration.
- Toy and Hobby
- The iPhly's compatibility with remote-controlled boats and cars highlights its relevance to the toy and hobby industry, presenting opportunities for novel control systems and enhanced user experiences.
- App Development
- The iPhly's custom app showcases the importance of app development in the remote-controlled vehicle market, signaling opportunities for app developers to create innovative control interfaces and functionalities.
