iPod touch Quick Review: iPod touch Remote Control

[triela]

I purchased the iPod touch remote control as mentioned by Erica Sadun at TUAW: (http://www.tuaw.com/2007/09/28/iphone-ipod-touch-remote-control/).

Here's the quick review:

Pro:
- All buttons work perfectly, while iPod is active or sleeping: Play/Pause, FF/REW (Skip FORW/BACK), Volume Up/Down, Hold.
- Price is $6.63 with Free Shipping.

Con:
- Very Ugly. Pale white/grey color looks horrible attached to the touch.
- Very Poor Build Quality. It looks like it's barely worth $6.63, if that.
- Requires both dock and headphone ports to be occupied simultaneously.

 

[aft]

is there any noticeable loss in sound quality?

 

[triela]

is there any noticeable loss in sound quality?

None that I can hear.

 

[rbroady]

nice that will be perfect for a control while snowboarding if i dare to take my touch out on the mountian...may have to stick to the nano while shredding the freshies

 

[adiemask]

I'm using the 'Gear4 BlueEye' which not only gives me remote control but bluetooth connectivity with my phone also. The only thing that doesn't work is the display for the radio frequency and list of telephone nubers on the touch screen (it was designed for 5g ipods). Apart from that all other functions work.

http://www.gear4blueye.com/uk/?gclid=CMq-jd2XmI8CFSUSEgodTAP7fg

 

[RebelScum]

I'm using the 'Gear4 BlueEye' which not only gives me remote control but bluetooth connectivity with my phone also. The only thing that doesn't work is the display for the radio frequency and list of telephone nubers on the touch screen (it was designed for 5g ipods). Apart from that all other functions work.

http://www.gear4blueye.com/uk/?gclid=CMq-jd2XmI8CFSUSEgodTAP7fg

ZOMG I am SO buying that thing.

Wonder if it's available in Canada anywhere...

 

[BlakTornado]

I'm using the 'Gear4 BlueEye' which not only gives me remote control but bluetooth connectivity with my phone also. The only thing that doesn't work is the display for the radio frequency and list of telephone nubers on the touch screen (it was designed for 5g ipods). Apart from that all other functions work.

http://www.gear4blueye.com/uk/?gclid=CMq-jd2XmI8CFSUSEgodTAP7fg

WOW! I LOVE IT! £50!? YES PLEASE! I'm getting one of those as soon as I get my touch, I swear! Hopefully the SDK will allow these guys to add phone number and radio support

 

[kshott]

that BluEye thing is crazy cool. I also ordered the remote from tuaw.com. I haven't gotten it in the mail yet though. For $6 and some change, I'll use it for a while, then maybe move up to the BluEye.

 

[chall5]

What is the hold up with the official Touch remote ?

I don't even want the radio, just a way to track skip and change volume without taking the thing out of my pocket

 

[PMB]

This is what i use, and i love it... wireless and everything...
http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/timexs-ipod-controlling-i-control-watch-hits-the-fcc/

 

[Quasiportnoy]

I purchased the iPod touch remote control as mentioned by Erica Sadun at TUAW: (http://www.tuaw.com/2007/09/28/iphone-ipod-touch-remote-control/).

Here's the quick review:

Pro:
- All buttons work perfectly, while iPod is active or sleeping: Play/Pause, FF/REW (Skip FORW/BACK), Volume Up/Down, Hold.
- Price is $6.63 with Free Shipping.

Con:
- Very Ugly. Pale white/grey color looks horrible attached to the touch.
- Very Poor Build Quality. It looks like it's barely worth $6.63, if that.
- Requires both dock and headphone ports to be occupied simultaneously.

Thanks so much for this review. I've been wanting to hear more about it, but nobody but Erica Sadun has said anything until now. Ordering one as soon as I hit "Submit Reply".

 

[Solesk]

I'm using the 'Gear4 BlueEye' which not only gives me remote control but bluetooth connectivity with my phone also. The only thing that doesn't work is the display for the radio frequency and list of telephone nubers on the touch screen (it was designed for 5g ipods). Apart from that all other functions work.

http://www.gear4blueye.com/uk/?gclid=CMq-jd2XmI8CFSUSEgodTAP7fg

wow i really like that thing. my only question is does it lock the screen like ipod car stereos do? or do you still get all the normal touch functions plus what's listed for this device?

 

[7even]

Con:
- Requires both dock and headphone ports to be occupied simultaneously.

Actually, it doesn't Hook up your headphones to the headphone port, keep the remote as just a remote.. yes, that complicates wiring, but you get slightly better sound quality (and none of the right-headphone pops when pressing Play/Pause, in my case).

Otherwise it's quite handy, other than the obscenely long cord (in addition to a long headphone cable).

 

[kshott]

Pro:
- All buttons work perfectly, while iPod is active or sleeping: Play/Pause, FF/REW (Skip FORW/BACK), Volume Up/Down, Hold.
- Price is $6.63 with Free Shipping.

Con:
- Very Ugly. Pale white/grey color looks horrible attached to the touch.
- Very Poor Build Quality. It looks like it's barely worth $6.63, if that.
- Requires both dock and headphone ports to be occupied simultaneously.

That pretty much sums it up. I got mine in the mail today and tested it on the ride home. It is ugly/cheap looking as all get out... but it worked great. Much better than trying to operate the Touch and drive at the same time. It would be nice if it came in black, but for $6 and some change... I'd say it's worth it.

 

[Solesk]

i was half a step away from ordering this thing. when i realized i cant use it and a car charger at the same time. can anyone that has one confirm this?

 

[kshott]

i was half a step away from ordering this thing. when i realized i cant use it and a car charger at the same time. can anyone that has one confirm this?

I don't think you can. This remore plugs into the USB port on the bottom. Not sure if anybody out there makes some kind of splitter.

 

[Quasiportnoy]

To anyone who has bought this: How long did the shipping take for you?

Just wondering, since I'm anxiously awaiting mine.

 

[kshott]

mine took about 2 weeks. can't really complain though... it was free.

 

[kshott]

Update: Mine's already broken

don't know why, but none of the controls on the remote work now. Sound still plays through it fine... but all the buttons are dead. I'd try and return it, but shipping would probably be more than it cost in the first place.

 

[Hls811]

I'm using the 'Gear4 BlueEye' which not only gives me remote control but bluetooth connectivity with my phone also. The only thing that doesn't work is the display for the radio frequency and list of telephone nubers on the touch screen (it was designed for 5g ipods). Apart from that all other functions work.

http://www.gear4blueye.com/uk/?gclid=CMq-jd2XmI8CFSUSEgodTAP7fg

Has anyone found this available in the US..? I'd love to get one!

 

[TP-Eric]

I bought a Gear4 BluEye off eBay from an Australian seller. Awesome little device. The screen display doesn't work on the Touch (yet -- wait 'til they get their hands on the SDK) but everything else -- pairing, answering/ending/placing voice calls, FM radio, and of course, normal remote functions, work brilliantly. The FM radio is a bit odd to get used to though; changing stations requires a two-second press; normal presses are reserved for surfing stored stations, so once you get that set up it's great.

You can get them rebranded in the US at select places under the Mavizen MyBlu brand, but I've heard tell that the firmware is slightly different, so you can't use Gear4's firmware to update. (This may be mistaken; I neither have nor have tried the MyBlu to confirm.)

 

[Dom.S]

This is what i use, and i love it... wireless and everything...
http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/timexs-ipod-controlling-i-control-watch-hits-the-fcc/

Can you confirm that you're using it with the Touch and that all of the features work? I've been trying to figure out if they're compatible for a while but the information is just not out there. Timex's site doesn't even mention the iPhone/Touch in its compatibility info.

I haven't bought a Touch yet and a big reason for that is that I can't justify it until I can have it in my bag and control it remotely when cycling and running.

Cheers.

 

[Cammunicator]

To anyone who has bought this: How long did the shipping take for you?

Just wondering, since I'm anxiously awaiting mine.

I bought one and waited about 4 weeks for it (Hong Kong to Toronto)... but it sure was worth the wait. Sure, it's not the prettiest of pieces, but for six bucks it's one dandy remote control; great functionality.

Also, I think I will take the suggestion to plug my headphones (SC:FMJ) directly into my Touch and just use the remote for remoting.

 

[chewbacca390]

a remote control?????

 

[Quasiportnoy]

I bought one and waited about 4 weeks for it (Hong Kong to Toronto)... but it sure was worth the wait.

Good to know, because over here it's been three weeks and counting since I ordered it. At least it's still on its way (probably).