New Apple Remote

**Paul Daniel Ash** · 10-20-2009, 11:34 AM

image via Apple

Almost lost in the welter of announcements today is this slick new Apple Remote. The aluminum, black-on-white handheld controller is compatible with the iPhone, iPods with the Universal Dock, and iMacs with an infrared port.

The Store website touts the new Apple Remote as a single controller for digital content on your Mac:

The Apple Remote gives you total command of your music, photos, videos, and DVDs from anywhere in the room. It works with Front Row — a menu-based, full-screen interface — to make accessing the digital content on your Mac as simple as navigating your iPod. When you press the Menu button, your desktop fades and the sleek Front Row interface takes its place to give you control over your music in iTunes, your photos in iPhoto, the videos in your Movies folder, and your DVDs. Turn up the volume. Shuffle. Skip to the next chapter on your DVD. Play a slideshow, a home movie you made in iMovie, even a movie trailer.

Apple describes using the Remote with your iPod/iPhone like this:

Apple Remote lets you experience your songs, slideshows, and more from across the room. Plug your iPod into the Universal Dock and choose a playlist, slideshow, or video. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy. Ready to move on to the next song? No need to get up. Just press the Next button on the Apple Remote. Getting a call on your iPhone? Press Pause, then pick up where you left off.

Price is US $19.99... availability in two to four weeks.

**adp** · 10-20-2009, 12:26 PM

Is this bluetooth? I wonder if it can connect to the iPhone and act as a bluetooth track changer for when I'm driving. I have a third party RF remote to change tracks, but I'm sick of getting the message "This device is not compatible..." every time I connect it. I'm also curious if it will work with Pandora or Slacker radio (probably not...unless I get MusicControls?)

EDIT: I just re-read...this is only with the universal dock for the iPhone. Lame.

**iPhoenix3g** · 10-20-2009, 12:27 PM

Hmmm from that image, I prefer the old remote but that's just my view. But maybe when they have an actual picture I might like it more.

**mad102190** · 10-20-2009, 12:31 PM

Honestly, I think they should've left the buttons the way they were. They could have just made the previous remote into an aluminum one and everything would be fine. This new remote is too long and the buttons just don't seem placed right. It feels like a rendering/concept by some random dude. Not Apple-esque at all. Just plain ugly.

**iPhoenix3g** · 10-20-2009, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by mad102190

Honestly, I think they should've left the buttons the way they were. They could have just made the previous remote into an aluminum one and everything would be fine. This new remote is too long and the buttons just don't seem placed right. It feels like a rendering/concept by some random dude. Not Apple-esque at all. Just plain ugly.

That is 100% what I thought when I saw it on the apple website, Looks like something you see on an apple "rumors" site.

**StealthBravo** · 10-20-2009, 01:18 PM

Looks great!

**08lexus250** · 10-20-2009, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by adp

Is this bluetooth? I wonder if it can connect to the iPhone and act as a bluetooth track changer for when I'm driving. I have a third party RF remote to change tracks, but I'm sick of getting the message "This device is not compatible..." every time I connect it. I'm also curious if it will work with Pandora or Slacker radio (probably not...unless I get MusicControls?)

EDIT: I just re-read...this is only with the universal dock for the iPhone. Lame.

Same here i'm a little unclear as to how this thing works with an iphone. So does it require some sort of attachment to your iphone/ipod?

**adp** · 10-20-2009, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by 08lexus250

Same here i'm a little unclear as to how this thing works with an iphone. So does it require some sort of attachment to your iphone/ipod?

Yes, I was confused but I read again and you need a "Universal dock" for this to work. A disappointment for us car-iphone users who are looking for a better way to skip tracks, etc.

**rhammouda** · 10-20-2009, 03:26 PM

It seems to me that this is the exact same remote that has been available only in a new packaging with iPod/iPhone capability. Am I wrong or do they offer exactly no new features? "Look, a remote that can control all your media through front row, you may remember it from when we packaged it with every mac sold"

**nighthawk283** · 10-20-2009, 05:28 PM

Looks really fancy and nice to carry around the house

**badass1469** · 10-20-2009, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by 08lexus250

Same here i'm a little unclear as to how this thing works with an iphone. So does it require some sort of attachment to your iphone/ipod?

Originally Posted by adp

Is this bluetooth? I wonder if it can connect to the iPhone and act as a bluetooth track changer for when I'm driving. I have a third party RF remote to change tracks, but I'm sick of getting the message "This device is not compatible..." every time I connect it. I'm also curious if it will work with Pandora or Slacker radio (probably not...unless I get MusicControls?)

EDIT: I just re-read...this is only with the universal dock for the iPhone. Lame.

I don't think it requires an attachment to the iPhone, cuz when I was messing around with my 3Gs I turned on the nike thing and it has an option to turn on/pair to the sensor or a remote.

**Ticko** · 10-20-2009, 08:46 PM

i like the aluminum

**tudtran** · 10-20-2009, 08:59 PM

That thing look like the old ipod shuffle.

**Lt.Pyro** · 10-21-2009, 06:46 AM

So is it buttons like the current remote.. or is a scroll wheel like a Ipod. that would be pretty cool

**rwin84** · 10-21-2009, 08:27 AM

i need all of this new stuff

**kaaroFC** · 10-21-2009, 09:10 PM

I love it! i'm getting one of these with my new mac! ^^

**picassolsus** · 10-21-2009, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by badass1469

I don't think it requires an attachment to the iPhone, cuz when I was messing around with my 3Gs I turned on the nike thing and it has an option to turn on/pair to the sensor or a remote.

That's for Nike+ watch remotes has nothing to do with Apple Remote.

**CZroe** · 10-28-2009, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by adp

Is this bluetooth? I wonder if it can connect to the iPhone and act as a bluetooth track changer for when I'm driving. I have a third party RF remote to change tracks, but I'm sick of getting the message "This device is not compatible..." every time I connect it. I'm also curious if it will work with Pandora or Slacker radio (probably not...unless I get MusicControls?)

EDIT: I just re-read...this is only with the universal dock for the iPhone. Lame.

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