One of the more powerful, yet simple, accessories that Apple shipped for their iPods is the universal dock when coupled with an Apple Remote control. Suddenly, you really can plug your iPod into your home stereo (via the audio out port on the dock) and use “shuffle my music”. Before, if your Backstreet Boys came on during a gathering, you’d have to dive across the room to hit the next track button. However, now you can use the remote to control the iPod.
I was thinking that it would be really nice if you could use the same basic pieces to control iTunes on your PC. Mac owners get this built in, thanks to the IR sensor on the front of all Macs, and their software that’s aware of it (Frontrow et al). However, wouldn’t it be great if the dock, which can receive IR commands, could also go up the USB cable that connects it to the PC and control iTunes?
I’m not sure if this is even possible (I suspect not), as the electronics in the dock would have to know to send signals to the USB port upon receiving them at the IR port, but it’d be neat. As Apple continues to try to sell digital media (movies, music, etc.) and gear to distribute it (Apple TV, iPhone) it doesn’t seem to crazy that they might want to export Frontrow and Apple Remote control to the PC platform. After all, they’re a technology company now, not just a computer one, right?
anyone have an idea how to use the apple remote on a non mac (gasp) pc?
I’m not aware of any specific way. However, I’d imagine with an USB IR receiver and one of the various software packages out there that allows you to translate remote signals to PC actions, this may be possible.
You can set up leopard on a pc very easily
these days with all the hardware power that
would cost 2 to 3 grand if it was mac hardware.
it is thus illogical to buy flashy mac hardware which is essentially the same to run a superior
os i.e leopard.
im sure there are few mac devotes willing to either except or acknowledge this fact in the name of pride but whatever, I have used both formats and more! as i have worked with computers all my life and only pure reason serves me in these matters,
any how as it is the algorhythms of leopard that allows the i.r receiver to use the usb port there is no problem in using it with this method.
may seem like a long winded way of achiving a
simple feat but some times long winds reap big
rewards…
Thats right, please see my blog post on how to use the Apple Remote with a PC. It’s not hard to do, but limited in capacity. Someone needs to write a software controller that will interpret the remote signals based on application profiles, or a plugin signal interpreter for iTunes specifically.