A plea for simple MP3 remotes
Note to industry: If you must make tons of remote controls for MP3 players, please don't make them as complicated as the six or seven we need to watch our TV right now.
(Credit:
Keyspan)
We haven't yet laid hands on Keyspan's "TuneView for iPod" but fear that it may be going down this treacherous road. There's one obvious reason: Its manufacturer claims to have introduced a bevy of features that'll all make life simpler. Where have we heard that before?
The product language scares us already: "TuneView for iPod consists of a 2-way RF remote with color LCD screen, a universal iPod dock, a USB power adapter, audio and USB cables, and selected dock inserts. Together these components allow you to: connect the iPod to a stereo or powered speakers using the audio line out jack; connect the iPod to a TV using the S-Video jack; charge the iPod from an AC outlet using the USB power adapter." Yikes.
Our Luddite ways and technophobia aside, we think less is more when it comes to remote controls. That's especially true when they apply to the iPod, which we appreciate most for the simplicity of its design.
