The iPhone and iPod touch make great music players, PDAs, and phones. And, thanks to the addition of third-party programs from the App Store, they can also be turned into top-notch remote controls.
Whether you want to control your computer’s iTunes library or need to take over other hardware – like a Roku Soundbridge or MythTV – these 16 apps have you covered. No more digging through your couch cushions looking for the remote. With an iPhone remote control, just reach into your pocket to control your media experience.
air GOM LITE
Price: Price: Free
Controls: GOM player
Download at iTunes
Notes: GOM player is an open-source media player that supports avi, mp3, divx
AirMote
Price: Price: $ 2.99
Controls: iTunes, Front Row, Keynote, QuickTime, iPhoto
Download at iTunes
Notes: Only works on a Mac
DVDmote
Price: Price: $ 1.99
Controls: Front Row
Download at iTunes
Notes: Requires Mac OS X 10.5 and the DVDmote sharing service, which is a free download
jfControl
Price: $ 2.99
Controls: iTunes, Front Row, DVDs, Keynote, Finder, video
Download at iTunes
Notes: Connects over WiFi; requires Mac OS X 10.4 and higher
jfControl Price: Free
Price: Free
Controls: iTunes
Download at iTunes
Notes: Requires Mac OS X 10.4 and higher; connects over WiFi
Mediamote
Price: $ 2.99
Controls: Windows Media Center
Download at iTunes
Notes: PC only
MyMote
Price: Free
Controls: MythTV set-top box
Download at iTunes
Remote
Price: Free
Controls: iTunes
Download
Notes: Requires WiFi
Review: Review of Remote
Remote Remote GH
Price: Free
Controls: MythTV set-top box
Download at iTunes
Roku Remote
Price: $ 2.99
Controls: Roku Soundbridge
Download at iTunes
Note: Requires firmware 3.0 or higher
Songbird Remote
Price: Free for a limited time
Controls: Songbird Player, an iTunes alternative
Download at iTunes
Note: Requires Songbird desktop application and remote extension
Squidgy
Price: $ 7.99
Controls: Logitech Squeezebox
Download at iTunes
Note: Requires Squeezecenter server and Squeezenetwork music player
VLC Remote
Price: $ 0.99 for a limited time
Controls: VLC Media Player
Download at iTunes
Note: Works on Mac or PC
VLC Remote
Price: Free
]Controls: VLC Media Player
Download at iTunes
Note: Works on Mac or PC; free version has limited feature set: can play, stop, forward, back, but not browse or select files or manage playlists; ad supported
XBMC Remote
Price: $ 2.99
Controls: XMBC
Download at iTunes
Note: Requires XMBC application running on Xbox, Windows, Mac, or Linux; controls music, movies, and TV; connects over WiFi or 3G
Xmote
Price: $ 2.99
Controls: XMBC
Download at iTunes
Note: Requires XMBC installed with webserver access enabled; connects over WiFi
