Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. Mobile
  4. Legacy Archives

Ditch that tape measure; You can make floor plans by tapping your iPhone on the walls

Add as a preferred source on Google

Next time you need to draw up a floor plan or recreate a room’s dimensions, save yourself some trouble and don’t dig out your toolbox — just whip out your phone, head to the AppStore, and download an app called RoomScan.

roomscan
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Despite the fact that it does some fairly complicated calculations, the app is extremely simple to use. Once you fire it up, a series of straightforward voice prompts and instructions will guide you through the process, but they’re almost unnecessary. To use the app, walk around the room and hold your iDevice on the wall for a
few seconds until you hear a beep, and then continue onto the next wall. You’ll need to take care that you include every wall and door, but once you’ve completed the circle, RoomScan will compile a surprisingly accurate map of the area.

Recommended Videos

Using on your phone’s built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, and gyroscope to determine distances and the orientation of walls, RoomScan can reliably estimate measurements to within about half a foot, which should be adequate if all you need is a rough floor plan. If, you need more precise measurements, you can opt for the $5 Pro version, which allows you to specify exact distances, and will automatically correct the entire room if you adjust a couple dimensions.

The Pro version also allows you to scan multiple rooms and have RoomScan stitch them together to create one large, unified map of your entire space. It even lets you add doors as you go instead of dragging and dropping them to the finished floor plan like in the standard version. Check out the video below to see it in action, or head to RoomScan’s website for more details.

Drew Prindle
Former Senior Editor, Features
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
Beyond the Boundary Wire: How Yardcare and the New N1600PRO are Leading the Robotic Mower Revolution
With automated routes and advanced mapping, Yardcare N1600 PRO robot lawn mower is made to meet modern lifestyle with smart precision.
Grass, Lawn, Plant

The weekend morning dread is a real situation, and homeowners know it pretty well. I've often woken up with the realization that the next few hours will be spent toiling with the hum of a petrol engine machine and hours of pushing a heavy mower around the yard. We’ve all been there, sweating under the sun, in our quest to achieve a green carpet that looks fine at best, but rarely ever achieves the work done by an expert. A fully automated solution should address all those problems, but finding a reliable one isn't a cakewalk.

The hassles of setting up boundary wire, mastering the navigation, and requiring constant manual supervision don't really sound like an autonomous dream. But tech is finally catching up, and one of its best specimens is Yardcare’s N1600PRO. The latest from Yardcare ensures that lawn care no longer means non-stop manual effort, but relaxed efficiency. If you're a homeowner who is increasingly leaning toward automation to take care of your yard space, Yardcare is here to help you make that smart shift with the N1600PRO.

Read more
Apple is reportedly sitting on new products because Siri AI isn’t ready
Inventory shortages suggest launches are near, but delays tell a different story
Apple HomePod Featured

Apple might have new products ready to go, but it’s just not launching them yet. According to a recent report from Bloomberg, inventory for devices like the HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV is running low across Apple Stores globally.

Normally, that’s a clear sign that refreshed models are around the corner. But this time, there’s a twist. Apple is reportedly holding back releases because its next-generation Siri and AI features aren’t ready yet.

Read more
Google Home update soups up Gemini and fixes frustrating papercuts
The latest Google Home update speeds up Gemini, adds new languages, and fixes recurring annoyances to make voice control smoother and smarter.
Gemini for Home devices

Google is rolling out a fresh update for the Google Home app that makes Gemini a lot more useful in day-to-day use, while also addressing several small but frustrating issues that have been holding it back. The new release follows an update from earlier this month that also brought performance improvements and bug fixes for Gemini's smart home voice controls.

What's new with Gemini for Home?

Read more