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Latest iPod remote accessory: an umbrella?


Those searching for something a little more unique in realm of iPod accessories need look no further than the iBrella, certainly one of the most ingenious iPod remotes I've ever seen. With the power of an accelerometer, a hall-effect sensor, a gyroscope and a PIC microcontroller, this clever iPod hacker was able to turn his umbrella (in stylish white, of course) into an iPod controller, complete with movements for volume adjustment, track selection, play/pause and even a mode switch. I wonder if Griffin is trying to get in touch with this guy as you read this.

Check out Proto-typen.org for more details on the what and how.

[via Engadget]

Those searching for something a little more unique in realm of iPod accessories need look no further than the iBrella, certainly one of the...
 

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Dan

Where's all this tension coming from?! It's a silly story, so what?

Commenters on TUAW should keep in mind the following axioms:
1.) TUAW does not dispense legal advice.
2.) TUAW does not speak ex cathedra, ex Cupertinia, or ex Jobsia.
3.) There is not enough Mac news every day (especially during the summer) for you to get your Jones every hour on the hour. Sometimes there is filler, like iPod umbrella interfaces.
4.) The easily annoyed should probably consider getting an RSS aggregator, so you can skim headlines and skip those that don't interest you.
5.) Commenting on stupid stories wastes your time. If it's stupid, maybe you should be doing something else with your time.
6.) Yes, there are too many typos. Yes, typos are annoying. No, typos are not a portent of the apocalypse. Just keep repeating to yourself, "The typos can't hurt me. The typos can't hurt me..."
7.) Dude, it's just a blog. It's a big blog. It's a high-profile blog. It might even be an important blog, as blogs go. But it's just... a blog. Do you see Walt Mossberg around here? I don't. Chill. Seriously.
8.) Do not taunt TUAW.

August 02 2006 at 12:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cloggin

Kevin (#6): Who peed in your Cheerios this morning?

August 01 2006 at 3:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David Chartier

#6: Because it's supposed to be a joke. Y'know, humor? Something like this would most likely never fly in the real world. It's tricky, clunky and probably one of the weirdest UIs to get used to this side of [insert a mobile phone you hate here].

It was just a cool thing some hackers did with an iPod and an unlikely tool of every (rainy) day use. It's not a big deal Kevin.

Breathe.

August 01 2006 at 3:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kevin

david, if it's just a stupid hack then why are you hyping it up for griffin to come and check this "ingenious ipod remote"

August 01 2006 at 1:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jon

I think it would be better as an antenna than a remote.

August 01 2006 at 12:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David

Justin, I'm assuming this thing does come w/ a bracket to mount the umbrella on the handle of a lawnmower.

August 01 2006 at 12:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Justin

Anyone else remember the story about some guy who got struck my lightning and it was supposedly caused by his iPod? I don't really care to hold a big lightning rod that happens to be hooked on either side of my brain. Count me out.

August 01 2006 at 12:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David Chartier

#1: It's just a hack, done by people who have fun seeing if they can make things do other things. They're just poking around, having a good time. Nothing more.

Breathe.

August 01 2006 at 11:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kevin

how can anyone think this is a good idea?

first, i thought apple users were of the mantra, "do one thing and do it well." so what else am i supposed to have my umbrella do besides keeping me from getting wet? control my ipod? yea, right.

second, i'm going to be moving my umbrella around. all around. regardless of whether or not i meant to increase or decrease volume. this is just going to be chock full of untintended user input. what then?

third, do i want to get fried holding my umbrella, embedded with circuitry, in the rain?

stupid.

August 01 2006 at 11:17 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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