Skip to Content

iPhone/iPod touch Remote Control

by Erica Sadun Sep 28th 2007 at 11:30AM

Say what you will about scroll wheels versus touch screens but you can't effectively operate a touch screen from your pocket. Fortunately the iPhone provides decent, and the iPod touch excellent, compatibility with standard iPod accessories like this $6.30 Borgvik remote control from Kai Domain (formerly Fifth Unit). It's labeled as a nano device but works well with both touch and iPhone.

Using a remote allows you to operate your iPhone or iPod touch without physically touching the screen. As you can see in the picture here, this remote allows you to to adjust playback volume, play and pauses and navigate between tracks.

Of course, if you're using the iPhone earbuds, a remote control isn't particularly necessary. The squeeze control located on the headset wires allows you to pause/play (single squeeze) and skip to the next track (double squeeze). If you prefer to use your own earphones (as I do) or play back through the iPhone speakers (not necessarily in your pocket), a remote can come in handy. The control clips to your shirt so you don't have to keep grabbing to find it.

Be aware that the iPhone throws up a warning whenever the remote attaches, letting you know that the accessory was not made for the iPhone. It prompts you to enter Airplane mode, a choice you can readily decline.

The attached adapter plug works well with the iPod touch but does not fit into the iPhone's unusually deep headphone jack. Overall performance with an iPhone: 3 Apples out of 5, with an iPod touch: 4 Apples out of 5.

My personal iPod touch with remote:



View Tags

Related Stories

Categories

Accessories Reviews iPhone

Say what you will about scroll wheels versus touch screens but you can't effectively operate a touch screen from your pocket. Fortunately...
 

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

22 Comments

Filter by:
dave

also, i just found a wholesale site that's selling iPod nano remotes in bulk, $35 for a pack of 20 remotes, and it uses the same connectors as this remote so it should work, as well, with the iPod touch and the iPhone.
plus the remote itself is a more rounded shape, which i like because i've gotten used to my PSP's remote.

http://www.globalsourcesdirect.com/servlet/the-304/iPod-Video-Remote/Detail#

December 09 2007 at 10:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
L.

I'm experiencing some interesting behavior with my iPod Touch and a wired remote (or the Universal Dock with IR remote). When I pause a song using a remote, it occasionally restarts the playlist I was listening to with no warning when I unpause the song using the remote.

It does it often enough to be annoying, about 10 times a day while I'm listening to my iPod at work. It gets a little irritating when you can't get more than 100 songs into a several thousand song playlist without it restarting.

I'm wondering if this is specific to something wonky I'm doing or if anyone else has had this issue.

October 11 2007 at 9:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
okto

bert: Because the touch is a product designed for the sole purpose of shutting people up. It takes away the biggest whine about the iPhone—that is has that pesky revolutionary phone attached to it. The iPod touch is not and never has been a replacement for the "best iPod we've ever made" that is in the iPhone.

September 28 2007 at 10:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bert

Wow, that's not flexible at ALL. Why didn't Apple make something similar to the iPhone earphones, but without the microphone?

Just a tiny little button to be able to pause and play ...

September 28 2007 at 2:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joseph

@Daniel: I agree it's ugly, but it certainly gets the job done. And it is flexible.

September 28 2007 at 1:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ICEBrk

Now if they only made an extender cable with remote and mic functionality I could plug into my in ear buds. As it is they have a 1' cable that would connect perfectly to a mic/remote control clip-on unit. Market! where is my product?

September 28 2007 at 1:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Hermiod

Can anyone suggest where I can get one of these in the UK ?

September 28 2007 at 1:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mercury7

Could you test for me if this remote will contol volume while coverflow in landscape mode? this was one of the things apple did not provide without flipping it and will be great while using in the car if it works

September 28 2007 at 12:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mercury7

Thanks for the tip...just ordered it for my touch

September 28 2007 at 12:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
byron church

That reminds me of my Grama's enema bag !

September 28 2007 at 12:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Buy an ad here

Hot Apps on TUAW

Tweets

© 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.