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Make Your iPod A Universal Remote Control

by , 6:00 PM EDT, July 27th, 2004

Engadget, a site dedicated to gadgets and the use of gadgets (the top story as of this writing is about playing polo with Segways) has published step-by-step directions on turning your iPod into a universal remote control. From Engadget:

This week's How-To is a fun one, we take an iPod and turn it in to a universal infrared remote control which can be used to control all your home electronic equipment, or just about anything that uses a remote control, for example in our place we have our iPod controlling our TV, DVD Player, Direct TV, Ultimate TV PVR, Media Center PC, Xbox, XM Satellite Radio, Roomba and a few other random things like a Robot.

The instructions are quite detailed, and include images and screen shots of the most important steps. Engadget used a PC for some of the steps, but the site says it can be done with a Mac, too. The instructions also require a PocketPC-based PDA, like an iPaq. Anyone successfully doing this using their Mac is encouraged to post in the comments below.

Thanks to Observer John for the link.

How-To Turn your iPod in to a Universal Infrared Remote Control

Observer Comments

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Close Name:jcbeckman Posts: 55 Joined: 06 May 2004
Tue Jul 27, 2004 6:49 pm Subject: and why...

...if I need a Pocket PC, wouldn't I just, uh...USE THAT???

I guess it's interesting it can be done, but seems kind of pointless.

Jack


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Close Name:Bryan -   TMO Staff Posts: 7340 Joined: 11 Jun 2001
Tue Jul 27, 2004 7:12 pm Subject:

This is clearly a case of climbing the mountain because it is there, but it's still pretty darned cool.

Besides, you could then trash your PocketPC.


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Close Name:jcbeckman Posts: 55 Joined: 06 May 2004
Tue Jul 27, 2004 8:43 pm Subject:

No, I need it as a wireless WiFi remote for iTunes. I can't trash it until Apple gets me my remote for my AirPort Express.

And I take my iPod with me wherever I go. But I need to leave the remote behind so my wife can still watch TV when I'm gone. So no trashing the PPC just yet.

Jack


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