Signal: A New Kind of iTunes Remote
There are literally hundreds of iTunes remotes, some live on the desktop, others on the menu bar, but this one is a bit different. You can control iTunes on your Mac or PC from your iPhone or iPod touch. And who doesn’t want to do that?
We have seen some attempts at this before, but the implementation was usually slightly weak, and usability was poor. Signal is honestly quite different. You launch the app, and it tells you the exact address to type into your iPod Touch or iPhone. Presto you’re done.
Signal works by setting up a web app on your computer with a nearly identical user interface as the iPhone/iPod touch; and for a network app, it’s unusually responsive. Changing tracks is nearly instantaneous. A nice feature is the fact that it shows you Album art, making it that much easier to work out what is playing. You can pause music, or skip tracks; even rate songs all from one web browser window. It’s also incredibly easy to browser your library, as it uses the iTunes structure to organise your media; there is even a built-in search feature.
This app is especially useful if you own an AirPort Express, and use the AirTunes feature; it allows you to control your media from anywhere in your network, removing the normal confines of the Apple Remote (Read: Walls). Signal is a brilliant implementation of a problem many people want solved. Although just a web app; it works well, and especially if you have AirPort Express, is well worth the $24.95 price.
A fully functioning Demo is available here, and it’s well worth a try!
Nice app, does what it says it will do very well.
For me though, I guess I’d rather spend just a bit more for Remote Buddy and gain all of the other functionality. $25 seems too high for an app that’s just a remote for itunes.
R
Remote buddy allows switching of Airtunes speakers, whereas Signal does not.
i second remote buddy. although it’s primary function was to advance the apple remote, it also adds wiimote support.
what i like about it is that it can use the iPhone as remote through bonjour.
also, you can use it as a super fancy keynote remote where you can see you presentation on screen. that will impress anyone.
Another vote for Remote Buddy, which has massively more features for about the same price. I think Signal has something going for it in the streamlined experience, but not for $25. Maybe 10. Definitely for 7.