One of the unequalled characteristic of Intel - based Apple notebooks — the MacBook and MacBook Pro — is the let in Apple Remote . Using this pocket-sized , iPod - shuffle - like accessary , you may controlFront wrangle , turning your laptop computer into a portable entertainment organisation . Outside of Front Row , you’re able to apply the remote to control system volume , iTunes playback , iPhoto slideshows , and even Keynote display . And in cooperation with third - political party software such asiRed Lite , Sofa Control , Mira , orRemote Buddy , the Apple Remote can do much , much more .
But to practice the Apple Remote , you have to be able-bodied to find it — a challenge in itself , as many an Apple notebook owner will tell you — and you need to really have it with you . I recently attend at two very dissimilar approach to this minor peregrine dilemma .
Case study
One approach is to expend a protective case that you could sequester to your laptop bag , such as TuneWear’sTuneRemoteor zCover’siSA Key . The $ 20 , reddened and white TuneRemote is a fashionable leather case for the Apple Remote that includes a removable , swiveling , alloy cartridge holder for attaching your Remote to a bag or wear . you could use the removed while it ’s in the typesetter’s case , but it ’s easier to do so after removing the snip . Although the TuneRemote is made of tough , yet high - quality , leather , it leaves the Remote ’s buttons exposed and does n’t physically secure your Remote in the case .
The $ 15 iSA Key , available in six colors as well as glow - in - the - dreary white , attend much like a silicone polymer “ skin ” case for an iPod . ( And , in fact , is made by a company that specializes in just such cases . ) Once you ’ve enclose the Remote in the iSA Key — a process that takes a bit of effort ; your Remote wo n’t be falling out of this case — the Remote is protected behind a thin , tactile layer of washable silicone polymer . A small mess in the top of the case , through which you insert the Remote , allow the infrared signal escape . Although the Remote ’s buttons are covered , you’re able to still find them through the pillowcase , and the sides of the case have small bumps for a effective grip . The bottom terminal of the iSA Key render a keyring / laniard attachment for securing your Remote ; unfortunately , no cartridge holder or ring is included , although a tough laniard is provided .
One potential additional welfare to the iSA Key is that if , like me , you ’ve beat more than one Apple Remote in your home — we havefivethe last clock time I counted — lay a different - colored skin on each one can be helpful for maintain track of which remote goes with which gimmick . ( This is necessary if you ’ve paired each remote with a unmarried gimmick . ) In fact , if you ’ve dumbfound an iMac , the iSA Key ’s silicone polymer is thin enough that you’re able to still use the magnet on the side of the iMac to “ bind ” your Apple Remote . Unfortunately , zCover does n’t yet offer discount multi - packs in the U.S. ( they do in Europe ) .
The biggest downside to both of these products is that you ’re pay $ 15 to $ 20 for what is essentially an accouterment for an accessory — the original itself replaceable for only $ 29 . Some people will understandably choose for the risk of keep on their Apple Remote naked , uncoerced to compensate for a new one if the original gets damage or lost .
You ’ve been replace
The other access is a unique one — and one that ’s singular to the MacBook Pro . Instead of find a way to link up your Apple Remote to your laptop grip , what if you could store the Remoteinsideyour laptop itself ? That ’s the theory behind Sik’sRex($26 from Sik ; $ 20 from prescribed resellerOther World Computing ) . The Rex is in reality areplacementfor your Apple Remote that exact the shape of an ExpressCard/34 accessory — in other word , it really fits in your MacBook Pro ’s ExpressCard slot when not in use
Slightly wider than the Apple Remote , but flatter and short , the Rex provides the same six buttons : Play / Pause , Back , Forward , Volume Up , Volume Down , and Menu . However , because of the Rex ’s low profile , its button are prostrate , “ bubble”-style buttons , each small and circular , rather than the Apple Remote ’s larger , iPod - shuffle - like physical button . As a result , the Rex ’s button are a bit more unmanageable to press and you do n’t get the same tactile feedback . And since the Rex is shaped like an ExpressCard - one-armed bandit twist , it is n’t quite as well-off in your hand as the Apple Remote . Still , once you ’ve used the Rex a few times you get accustomed to its intent and button layout .
When you ’re not using the Rex , it slides into your MacBook Pro ’s ExpressCard slot just like any other ExpressCard computer peripheral , securing via the slot ’s spring - loaded catch . When you want to apply the remote control , press on the end and it pop partially out for remotion . Like most ExpressCard peripherals I ’ve try , the Rex gets quite affectionate if it ’s inside your MacBook Pro while the latter is in utilisation , but after a duo weeks of examination , this does n’t seem to affect the Rex adversely ( and I suspect Sik was aware of the high temperature inherent to the ExpressCard time slot when design the Rex ) .
In my examination , the Rex ’s compass — which , like the Apple Remote , requires line - of - survey access to your MacBook Pro — was nearly 33 feet . That ’s a mates foundation short than the chain of my MacBook Pro ’s Apple Remote , but likely more than enough for what you ’d be using either remote for .
There ’s one noteworthy divergence in functionality between the Rex and Apple ’s own Remote : unlike the Apple Remote , you’re able to’tpairthe Rex with your MacBook Pro . Pairing the Apple Remote with a particular Mac intend the remote ca n’t be used to see another Mac and , perhaps more importantly , preventsotherremotes from being capable to control your Mac — an especially utile feature film if you ’re giving a presentation or using Front Row in a public orbit .
Still , the want of pairing and the dissimilar shape are limitations I ’ve been willing to put up in while testing the Rex for always have a remote with me . And at only $ 20 , the Rex is less than the price to replace your original Remote , and around the same monetary value as a case for that original — you could buy the Rex for travel and keep the Apple Remote for use at home .
On the other hired hand , if you ’re already using an ExpressCard card reader , you may find yourself in a predicament you did n’t expect just a few short months ago : more ExpressCard computer peripheral than slot .
