Turn your iPod into a Universal Remote

no_demons writes "Some clever souls over at engadget.com have posted an excellent tutorial in turning your iPod into a IR remote control. You also need a Pocket PC, an IR gadget from Griffin and a bit of patience, but hey, it's still a cool hack."

I've got a really cool gadget...

[AxB_teeth]

It's a pad of paper. To turn it into a remote control, all you need is the pad of paper (of course) and a remote control.

Why not play Led Zeppelin through the IR thingy?

[sulli]

That would cause all kinds of fun at your local sports bar.

Turn your iPod into a ...

[Mignon]

Hey, that's cool. And with this [germancarfans.com], you can turn your iPod into a car.

You can!

[HarveyBirdman]

A cool hack would be controlling your iPod via a $10 universal remote from Walmart.

1. Buy iPod.

2. But $10 universal remote from WalMart.

3. Use corner of universal remote to push iPod buttons and rotate volume dealy-widget.

So much more cool and high tech than using your primitve old finger.

Good idea?

[MarsDefenseMinister]

The remote control perpetually wins the category of "most dropped electronic device in a typical home." Good way to scratch the iPod.

IPOD Articles

[m1kesm1th]

A) Connect Pocket PC
B) Connect Other Device
C) Figure Out How to Connect IPOD
D) Write Slashdot Article

How to control your TV via your cellphone...

[argent]

It's a neat hack, but it's a neat hack that doesn't require an iPod or a Pocket PC... just a Griffin IR transceiver (or a handmade one, though you're unlikely to be able to make one as cheap and compact) and something to record and play back the 'sound' of the IR.

Put the control signals in your ringtone, and turn your TV on by calling your cellphone. Use custom ringtones and call from different phones to change the channel, adjust the volume, ...

Cooler Hack

[teamhasnoi]

I just plug the IR bit into my guitar - now I play 'Sweet Child o' Mine' to change channels to Adult Swim, and 'Devil Inside' to change to C-Span.

It's really quite intuitive.

Re:I've got a really cool gadget...

[morcheeba]

also works with house pets, and, to a lesser degree, lions.

Here's a clue gentlemen...

[raytracer]

If you take a $10 item, and modify it to replace a $1000 item, that's probably a good hack.

If you take a $1000 item, and modify it to replace a $10 item, that's not a good hack. That's just stupidity.

It takes no cleverness to waste money.

There is much pleasure in useless information. [brainwagon.org]

Not that cool

[stinkyfingers]

You know what would be REALLY cool? Turn my remote into an iPod. Now there's a mod I could get into.

Pocket PC and IR gadget?

[moronga]

Reminds me of a Dale Gribble quote from King of the Hill:

"If you want, I can show you how to make a bomb out of a roll of toilet paper and a stick of dynamite."

Re:I've got a really cool gadget...

[Bob McCown]

also works with house pets, and, to a lesser degree, lions.

but only in Kenya.

Re:Why not play Led Zeppelin through the IR thingy

[swschrad]

just teach a frog to sing "stairway to heaven" and take that to the sports bar.

the problem is getting a brace of crickets to play guitars for realism.

I'd prefer turning a remote in an iPod

[brainnolo]

Ok that's cool but when are you going to turn an universal remote controller in an iPod? THAT would impress me!

Write a story about me, too!

[ChuckleBug]

I figured out a way to turn an Airport Extreme station into a dirt hauling and delivery system! You'll also need a dump truck, some super glue, and a back hoe!

My next project involves making a blow torch into a toaster. Also required are an X-Y plotter, some hardware cloth, and a surveyor's transit.

I'd like to tell more, but I have to go to the can. Normally, I'd use toilet paper, but I figured out this thing with a power drill and a corn cob...