There are plenty of iPod cradles that let you remote control the device, some built-in to cars, but Direct Voxx has come up with the Muso that lets you do it by voice. It's an interesting bit of kit that doesn't require training to understand you, and lets you demand particular tracks, scan through playlists, pause and resume playing music just by speaking in natural language like "play California Dreaming by the Mamas and the Papas." Check out the video to see it in action.

Read More »

Apple TV 2.1 is out via Software Update. It adds two things: Support for the Remote app for the iPhone and iPod touch (awesome), and support for MobileMe. Hoo. Ray. [iLounge]

Read More »

The App store went live a few minutes ago and the remote app we saw last week went live as well. It controls your iTunes through a screen that looks just like the regular iPhone/iPod touch player, and it only works through Wi-Fi. You can control AppleTVs, too, and you can also control speaker output.

Read More »

Jason Kline's gesture-based remote looks cool, but might not be practical for everyday usage. You adjust the volume with the left knob and the channel with the right, but there's no place to enter in buttons. It does allow you to keep going with the knob turning concept of old time TVs while still allowing you to be lazy on the couch. Not that we'd ever use it, but it might be a decent concept for octogenarians who still miss the old days. [Yanko Design]

Read More »

If I need to spend a hundred words explaining to you just why the US$18 Channel Changer Ray Gun is worth your time, then you really shouldn't be reading Gizmodo at all. Seriously, do yourself a favour. Unplug your computer and—very carefully—carry it to the trash can and—gently—drop it in. And when you're finished doing that, toss in any aspirations you had for this life, too. Because you are obviously a worthless human being. Sorry, I don't make the rules; I just call 'em as I see 'em. [Play via nerdapproved]

Read More »

According to the seller, the Remote Buddy "stylish vertical remote holder has four seats to store your most used remotes in one convenient location. Also has a handy cup holder for one drink." It also has four buttons to locate lost remotes (although sadly no buttons to locate lost drinks), as well as many many other uses. Yes. That many.

Read More »

Designer Yurii Smitana Perfilov clearly took a look at the chaotic button-fest that is the usual universal remote and thought "uuuugleee." So the first thing you notice about the sPult remote is its gorgeousness, like a retro-futuristic digital dagger. The second thing is the lack of buttons: that scroll wheel does volume or channels, selected at a push, and there's a favourites selector, mute and power function plus a simple display. I thought the back-lit Moto RAZR-like universal remote I just bought was attractive, but if sPult were more than a concept, I'd ditch that silver laser-keypad nastiness in a heartbeat. [Yanko design]

Read More »

I recently had the opportunity to learn more about TiVo's award-winning remote control when I met with their Senior Director of Consumer Engineering Paul Newby, father of the TiVo remote. Aside from hearing the story of how the remote slowly sprouted into the "Peanut," I found out some unknown stories behind the clicker. Stuff like TiVo butting heads with Sony, rare remote colours that no one outside TiVo will ever own (or see until now). Or how the remote could get a QWERTY or lose all its buttons in favour of a touchscreen. As I sat down with Paul and began to weed through containers of foam molds and old remote prototypes, I asked him to start from the beginning and explain how TiVo had turned a Peanut into one of the world's most loved remotes.

Read More »

Sure it looks weird, but this little prototype remote from SMK operates without the use of battery power. Like similar flashlight-type devices, this remote uses a electromagnetic induction coil to generate electricity when the user pulls the trigger. Pulling the trigger once will change channels, two pulls will turn the TV on or off, and the volume can be controlled by pulling the trigger and pushing a separate button at the same time. Personally, I'm going to need a little more features built into this thing before I decide to make the switch, but eco-friendly types with weak grips may find it to be of some use. [Fareastgizmos]

Read More »

I'd never stick one of these clunky beeping remote finder devices on any remote I gave a damn about. But they are triggered by the tone of the included whistle, which gives you and your clicker a relationship not unlike Lassie and Timmy. Very cool, until you lose the whistle. US$18. Bonus: They've got a keychain version with a flashlight and voice recorder, too. [1ofakind via Crunchgear]