IPod Universal Remote

Incessant tinkerer Phillip Torrone has written a how-to for transforming an iPod into a universal remote:

"How did we do this? Basically, we ìrecordedî the ìsoundsî an infrared remote makes on a PC and then put them on an iPod as songs. Adding a special sound-to-IR converter then turns those sounds back to IR and allows you to use your iPod as a remote control. As an added bonus, it works up to 100 feet. Itís a slick all-in-one unit and weíre never going back to 6 remotes ever again."

The idea came to Torrone on an airplane as he was falling asleep, he said this morning by IM.

LKahney: the funny thing is, it's enormously complicated

LKahney: i love it

LKahney: it's hours and hours of effort

LKahney: for a device that can be bought for $10 at walgreens

PTorrone: yah, i built it in my head, then needed to find all the elements i needed

PTorrone: sony just released a $700 remote -- this ipod remote thing is up there

PTorrone: but how can you put a price on controlling your stuff with an ipod? hehe