“Tucked away in Apple’s pre-release version of iTunes 7.7 is word that the iPhone and iPod touch will soon act as remote controls for nearby computers,” Aidan Malley reports for AppleInsider.
“A reference in the late beta version of iTunes available with iPhone SDK Beta 8 and discovered by Mac Rumors directly points to a new Apple-made program that will navigate tracks on Macs and Windows PCs from any of Apple’s current handhelds,” Malley reports.
“‘Use the new Remote application for iPhone or iPod touch to control iTunes playback from anywhere in your home — a free download from the App Store,’ it reads,” Malley reports.
Full article here.
Now, what were we saying yesterday? Oh, right: “Want a touch screen remote for Apple TV? Just buy it for your iPhone and/or iPod touch from Apple’s App Store, right?”
Hell yeah!!!!!
What happens when you’re on the phone and need to turn down the volume b/c you can’t hear the caller? I’m sure it would work at the same time, but it seems a bit clutzy to have to bring the phone off your ear, access the remote, and then resume the conversation.
It’s kinda like when you’re on the phone and then have to go into contacts and read the person on the other end a phone number as you look at the digits, put it back to talk, look at the digits again, read them off, etc. Maybe there will be a quick button for the remote (like there is for contacts, speakerphone, etc) when you’re on a call.
I’m guessing the phone will just fade out your music like it does when you have the headphones or a Bluetooth mic on.
Turano
new functionality and keeping the customers and the pundents talking is the Apple way. Even in a down economy Apple keeps on rolling to a brighter future. Never stop innovating and in a down economy Apple just innovates twice, three and ten times more then anyone else. I just love watching the innovations flow from Apple. Keeping the spirit of innovation at the core of what they do. No other company in history has such a long and historic list of innovations to build from.
“Nice but”
thanks. I’ve been working out….
TT: sure you have been working out…… the same area everyone else does.
….ever hear anyone on these boards start a topic “nice abs”?
just saying…..
PS, you have no idea how hard it was not to make a “TT” reference.
….oh damn, i just did!
Leave it to Apple to do something like this.
If it could function as a kind of universal remote, where you could boil down a 60-button remote to the 12 or 15 you actually use, then so much the better.
MacDailyNews Take: Now, what were we saying yesterday? Oh, right: “Want a touch screen remote for Apple TV? Just buy it for your iPhone and/or iPod touch from Apple’s App Store, right?”
Yeah, …. $229.00 for an Apple TV, and $199.00 for the remote control. Then I get to rent $4 movies. What a DEAL…
I betcha Netflix and Blockbust are SCARED!!!!! I’ll still with picking up a $1.99 3 day rental on CD 1/2 mile from my house.
SK,
MDN isn’t saying that you go out and buy an iPhone or iPod touch to be your Apple TV remote. They’re saying that since you already have them for phone calls, Internet access, iPod, etc. you might as well be able to use them as remotes, too.
Apple makes their products better over time.
SK,
Just because you’re poor and too stupid to lift yourself out of your own self-inflicted poverty, doesn’t mean the rest of us are.
My Apple TV and iPhone and iPod touch are GREAT! Too bad you can’t afford them.
I only rent HD titles via Apple TV. They’re $4.99. Going to go watch one now…
@SK,
Don’t worry, if you vote for Obama, he will guarantee that the government (taxpayers) will buy one for you.
Loser. Go back to your section 8 hut and watch Oprah.
I’d like to see Apple make a full-fledge HIFI entertainment device – like a combination Apple TV, Stereo, Media Center with a 500 gig/ 1TB hard drive that connects to your TV and comes with a set of surround sound speakers and the ability to RIP Dvds to the HD, all for under $500.
A device like that would totaly disrupt HIFI system manufactures (Sony, Bose, JVC, etc.)
I’ve been trying to create this with my Mac Mini, a 500 gig HD and some Bose speakers, but its not as elegant as I’d like yet.
@SK
That was funny because its true.
Mac-Atty
Me too. I have my DVDs ripped into iTunes. Can played them wirelessly to my laptop or TV using Front Row. Still need a dedicated mac or appleTV to have the set up permanent.
It works but your’e right it’s not very elegant
Mac_ATTY
I have come pretty close with my Pioneer plasma with cablecard, Bose Cinemate, and AppleTV networked to my iMac 2.0 GHz with a Western Digital 500 GB external with EyeTV content and DVDs ripped to it.
I know it isn’t true surround, but hey, I live in a third floor apartment, and it does fine. Just a TV on the wall, white box under it, and a few speakers. No receiver, no DVD player, no converter box. Can’t wait till my iPhone controls them.
Oh, and an Airport Express to stream iTunes
Before that (in a larger house) I had a Kenwood surround receiver, six speaker, DVD player, VCR, cable converter box, and a mile of wire.
Out of curiosity, does anyone know if it is possible to run the AppleTV software on the Mac Mini?
Ralph
Last time I checked you could
http://www.jonandnic.com/topics/digital-toys/turning-a-mac-mini-into-an-appletv
@ Nice But,
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A Bluetooth headset is your friend.
The Dude abides.
Well that pretty well fraks up my plans for an iPhone app.
…that and I don’t now how to program.
<<<My Apple TV and iPhone and iPod touch are GREAT! Too bad you can’t afford them. I only rent HD titles via Apple TV. They’re $4.99. Going to go watch one now…>>>
I suppose you get in your Hummer to collect the mail at the end of the driveway too, just so you can impress the neighbors!
All your big talk and big spending, leads me to the conclusion that you are compensating for something (hmm, I wonder what?)
If this makes you angry, just remember not to go away mad, just go away!
I’ve been posting this since the iPhone came out… The big breakthrough will be controlling the Apple TV, and the main reason it’s needed is to utilize the iPhone / touch keyboard for searching on Apple TV.
Controlling iTunes will be nice to, but for Apple TV it’s huge.
@G-Spank,
It’s “Hell Yes” – my favorite off of “Guero”.
SK,
You rent movies on CD’s???
TT,
“but hey, I live in a third floor apartment…..Before that (in a larger house)”
Divorces suck, don’t they! Fargin’ beotches!!!
Yes, they do. But mine was several years ago. (and if the wife had sucked, there might not have been a divorce……)
I moved to a new town recently, and wanted to get the feel of the place before I bought…. And for the housing prices to find bottom.
Wow at $200 remote! Way to go Crapple!
Last I checked the AppleTV comes with a remote. Having a remote on your iPhone is just an added <i>convenience</a>. Why are people so crabby around here?
TT,
I’ve got a house for sale! Want to move to Philadelphia?
@ Ouchman
Just because you’re poor and too stupid to lift yourself out of your own self-inflicted poverty, doesn’t mean the rest of us are.
Tell ya what Mr. Ouchman, I’ve had my 8GB iPhone since July of last year. I have a new MacBook, an Intel Mini, a 17″ G5 iMac, and 2 G4 iBooks. I also have a 16 GB Touch and a 4 Gig Nano…. So I really doubt that I’m “too poor” to rent $4 movies on a $200 piece of equipment that you have to buy..
Stupid???? Let’s see…. I run down to the local video store and get a 3 day rental on DVD for $1.99, many times the DVD includes lot of nice extra clips..
You? You paid $200 for a box that gives you the ability to rent movies for 24 hours and watch them on your TV (I happen to own a Vizio P50 myself) for $4..
Gee, yeah, I’m stupid. I should be like you and just overpay for everything because (1) I can and (2) it has an Apple logo on it…
I have rented movies from iTunes to watch on the MacBook when I’m away on business. It’s OK, especially when I can expense it….
So Mr. Ouchman, It’s pretty clear that you’re just a mindless fanboi moron who will buy anything Apple makes and defend Apple regardless of what they do. You sir are a jackoff, and have nothing on the “poor” and “stupid” people who you believe are beneath you…
@ me in LA
Don’t worry, if you vote for Obama, he will guarantee that the government (taxpayers) will buy one for you.
Wrong guy Son. I have never vote for a “Dim”ocrat in my life and I don’t intend to start now… I’m on the road 5 days a week and it’s safe to say I’ve done more work in my life than your sorry punk fanboi ass ever will. (Of course, I also worked hard for 4 years to get a degree and studied my ass of to obtain a PE in 3 states, something you’re lazy will never accomplish either)..
Loser. Go back to your section 8 hut and watch Oprah.
Oh yes, everyone who doesn’t buy a $250 box with a $200 remote control to rent $4 movies on is a loser. Do you jackoff to pictures of Steve Jobs every night too???
BTW, you’re right, I do have a Sec 8 Hut, … as a matter of fact, 4 of them. If you ever need a house in PA, look me up. At least I know I will get my money, every from a piece of shit like you!
I wonder why you can’t just stream audio directly from your iPhone/iPod touch to any Airport Express. I mean, I guess the constant WiFi connection would drain the battery, but it would be nice to have the option to bypass the computer altogether.
Screw the remote. Put a laser pointer projector thingy in the phone/pod.
Seriously though @SK and @wow. you’re both being a bit daft saying the iPhone is a $200 remote FFS. Or have you forgotten you can, make calls, send and receive emails, surf the net, check out youtube, set alarms, make notes, update your calendar, play music and videos etc etc and do practically anything developers decide they want to program for it. And do them in style on a beautiful interface with unprecedented ease of use. And the remote technology will be free for existing iPhone/ipod touch owners. The phones are free too over here on selected talk plans.
And the Apple TV is freakin great. I ripped my DVD’s to iTunes using an Elgato Turbo264 and stream them to my AppleTV. I now have a video library that is so convenient it’s unbelievable and I have been learning Cocoa programming on my 42″ LCD from HD podcasts using my AppleTV. The thing is with Apple’s gadgets like AppleTV and iPhone, you always get tons more functionality than you thought you did. I’ve never seen a system by anyone else that integrates so well and so elegantly I practically think these things are cheap for the quality and functionality that you get.
Don’t forget. Both the iPhone and AppleTV are fully fledged computers running OSX.