deskpets

Crave giveaway: DeskPets TankBots and a Griffin Helo TC

First off, congratulations to Andrew S. of Champaign, Ill., for winning last week's freebie, a copy of Nuance Dragon Dictate 2.5 for Mac.

Now for this week's prize, which is all about app-controlled fun. For starters, you'll get two cute little TankBots remote-controlled toy robots, which you maneuver with your iOS or Android device and a corresponding free app.

The DeskPets device uses its built-in accelerometer as a steering mechanism, allowing you to drive the TankBot around, navigating mazes, avoiding obstacles, chasing pets, and scaring houseguests.

You'll also score a Griffin Helo TC, a remote-controlled helicopter flown via iOS and Android devices and a free app that transforms the multitouch display into flight controls. The Touch-to-Fly mode uses the multitouch display to control Helo TC's throttle and joystick, while the Tilt-to-Fly lets users tilt the iOS device to move the helicopter forward, backward, and side to side (but hopefully not straight into your forehead). … Read more