apple keyboard

[Thanatoast]

i was wondering, why doesn't apple have a keyboard with itunes controls built in? i mean, windows users can control their music programs straight from the keyboard without having to switch applications, and here we've got itunes, which is made by apple itself, and no way to control it on apple's own keyboard. seems like a no-brainer to me, i guess i'm not seeing the reason for their reluctance here. surely they've thought of this?

on a related note, would a logitech keyboard with such controls work on my imac 800?

 

[Horrortaxi]

You've got volume controls, and keyboard shortcuts for every action iTunes is capable of doing--and you can program your own in Panther, can't you? What more do you want? Hokey implementation?

 

[Thanatoast]

a pause button

 

[Rod Rod]

a pause button

it's sort of a one-button solution but it sort of isn't...

with iTunes in front, pressing the space bar pauses. with iTunes elsewhere, command-tab to iTunes, then press the space bar. when it becomes a habit it'll feel automatic. I hope this helps.

 

[HexMonkey]

a pause button

To make a pause button that will work from every application, follow these steps:

1. Open /Applications/AppleScript/Script Editor.
2. Type in the following:

tell application "iTunes"
	playpause
end tell

3. Save as script.
4. Get an application such as Key Xing (if you use another program you may need to save the script differently).
5. In the Key Xing prefpane, set up a key combo for the script.
6. Type the key combo at any time to play/pause iTunes.

There may be an iTunes specific program to do this also, but this method allows you to do similar things for other programs.

 

[Thanatoast]

thanks, HexMonkey, that's what i was looking for

 

[Dreadnought]

There are third party devices for it, like Apple does for other programs/hardware (such as the iPod), for instance you have the Powermate (usb round button that lets you control the volume and you can scroll through your playlist with it); there is a remote control, etc. Look for more products at the apple store. Most products can be used for different programs.