BBC Worldwide issued a hilariously clever press release (well done!) announcing that the Sonic Screwdriver from Doctor Who (seen in South Africa on BBC Entertainment, DStv 120) will be available to buy as a TV remote control from 31 August.
"Ever since Patrick Troughton, the Second Doctor, first produced it from his jacket, the sonic screwdriver has been the Doctor's most trusted tool," says the press release.
"A high quality metal replica of the Mark VII Sonic Screwdriver currently used by the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith, the new Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote Control is a gesture-based universal remote control that utilises infrared (IR) technology to manipulate almost all earth-based home entertainment systems - from TVs and iPod docks to DVD/Blu-ray players and beyond."
"With a green flashing top and an impressive four operational modes - including a practice mode - and three memory banks, a total of 39 commands can be stored in the Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote Control, giving aspiring Time Lord's the option of operating multiple home entertainment devices with different flicks of the wrist."
"Control is straightforward - even for humans. The Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote Control works through a series of 13 short gestures, such as rotating, flicking or tapping, and a guided set-up procedure uses spoken prompts to match gestures to commands learned from existing remote controls."
"For fans who wish to transport a little more of the Doctor into their homes, the FX operational mode features a range of authentic vintage Doctor Who sound effects."
"All unauthorised alien usage of this device can be avoided, as the Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote Control comes with an inbuilt security setting - a three digit PIN can be set by the primary user - offering ultimate human control of the ultimate alien device."
"As time travel is not readily available to most humans, Doctor Who fans will have to wait until 31 August 2012 to own a Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote Control."
