The Bixi, created by Bluemint Labs, is one of a number of new gizmos aimed at harnessing the internet of things to wrest the control of a device away from the device itself. The Knocki, for example, lets users assign different actions to different tapping patterns, while the Nuimo lets users do so with taps, twists and – like the Bixi – gestures.

The Bixi itself comprises a 2.6 x 2.3-in (6.6 x 5.8-cm) portable optical sensor, with a plastic casing, a silicone body and scratch-proof Gorilla Glass 4. It can be stuck on, hung from or otherwise attached to things, or moved around freely and left on a table or shelf as required.

The Bixi connects to a user's smartphone via Bluetooth and the Bixi app relays instructions to paired devices or services via Wi-Fi. The device is charged via a micro-usb port and the battery will apparently last for around a month from a single full charge of one to two hours.

dni24com