Is there anything smartphones can't do? From replacing games consoles to controlling TVs and audio systems-- and now, with the Orbotix Sphero, even controlling a motorised ball around.

The Sphero looks unassuming-- it is basically a palm-sized white plastic ball. Inside, however, are a "smart robot" (with a gyroscope, compass and accelerometer), a multi-coloured LED (producing "thousands of colours") and a Bluetooth radio. Powering it is a rechargeable battery carrying up to 1 hour of juice.

It combines with a smartphone app (iOS and Android) to become, well, a remote-controlled motorised ball ready to terrify pets and small children with a tap on a touchscreen. The app comes with a couple of games, as well as a video recording functionality.

Optometrix just started shipping the bizarre ball, and is also releasing an SDK for those with the coding talent. Either way, it should be a fun toy for your customers to spend Christmas day playing with...

Go Sphero