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…
The GOKO M6 Robotic Lawn Mower Brings Industrial Robotics to Modern Lawn Care
7 reasons this AI-driven powerhouse makes hands-free yard work smarter than ever
Grass, Lawn, Plant

Robotic lawn mowers can save homeowners hours of manual yard work, but not every model is designed for challenging properties. While many perform well on flat lawns, larger yards with uneven terrain, steep slopes, and multiple mowing zones require a mower built for more demanding conditions.

Developed by GOKO, the consumer robotics brand of Robot++, the GOKO M6 is an industrial-grade 4WD AI-powered robotic lawn mower that brings more than a decade of industrial robotics expertise to residential lawn care. It combines AI-powered four-wheel drive, advanced navigation technologies, and AI QuadVision obstacle detection to tackle complex landscapes with less manual intervention.

Read more
Apple’s long-delayed smart home plans may finally start to take shape this fall
Bloomberg says Apple's long-awaited home hub, along with updated Apple TV and HomePod mini models, could roll out over the coming months.
An Apple HomePod 2023 on a media stand.

Apple's long-rumored smart home ambitions may finally be ready for prime time. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is preparing to launch three new home products over the coming months, including a Siri AI-powered smart home hub, a refreshed Apple TV 4K, and an updated HomePod mini. The report pegs the Apple TV and HomePod mini for release this fall, while the new smart home hub is expected to arrive sometime "between October and early next year".

The wait for Apple's AI-powered home may be over soon

Read more
Top Smart Home Upgrades Worth Making Before Your Summer Break
From outdoor monitoring to smarter front-door security, these EZVIZ devices combine smart protection with daily convenience
Person, Security, Electronics

Summer often brings a welcome change of routine for homeowners across Europe. Family holidays, weekend getaways, and longer days spent outdoors mean more time away and fewer opportunities to stay connected to what's happening back at the property. While it's a season for slowing down and enjoying the warmer months, everyday responsibilities don't simply pause. Deliveries still arrive, visitors may stop by unexpectedly, and trusted family members, cleaners, or pet sitters may occasionally need access while you're away.

Modern smart home technology makes those situations easier to manage. Today's connected devices can do far more than record footage or send motion alerts. They can help homeowners monitor outdoor spaces around the clock, stay informed about important activity, communicate with visitors remotely, and manage entry without needing to be physically present. Instead of constantly checking in or wondering whether everything is running smoothly back home, the right setup can provide greater visibility, convenience, and peace of mind throughout the season.

Read more