Tech toys

This giant of a remote-control helicopter is expensive and a bit frivolous, but it’s a blast to fly. Thanks to four big rotors and an onboard CPU that automatically maintains altitude, the Parrot AR.Drone is effortlessly more stable than other RC choppers. But what really sets it apart is the control scheme. The AR.Drone creates its own Wi-Fi network, hooking up to a free iPhone/iPad app that offers touch and accelerometer control and remote feedback from two onboard cameras.

We pride ourselves on testing every product that gets sent to PC User thoroughly, but we think it’s fair to say that the Swann Military Thunder ended up being tested somewhat more thoroughly than most. Pretty much any day over the last month, if you came into our offices you would have heard this little remote-controlled helicopter’s distinctive whine and the equally recognisable sound of one of us accidentally flying it into the ceiling, a computer, or our legs, closely followed by boyish laughter.