Remote Buddy
It is software like this that makes me wish I had a newer Mac. My G5 iMac did not come with Bluetooth or IR. It gives lots more functionality to Apple's remote. And they even make software for the iPod Touch and iPhone so those can be used instead of the Apple Remote.
Through Remote Buddy's menu, you have direct access to your local or shared iTunes® music library, iPhoto®-albums, VIDEO_TS folders found through Spotlight™ via the movie library as well as your recordings and channels in EyeTV.
Media: You can browse your music sorted by albums, artists, title and playlist, rate your songs, view cover art and other important metadata. Even in long lists you can quickly access a specific item - thanks to Remote Buddy's automatic alphabetic grouping. But maybe you just want to move the volume sliders a bit. What makes Remote Buddy stand out against traditional media center software are its abilities to bridge between the most different multimedia- and desktop applications and to make otherwise decentral functionality available through one central menu. Remote Buddy's menu does not just manage application launches, but allows access to advanced functions of these applications through its menu - lifting ease of use to a wholly new level.
Presenting: Remote Buddy makes it easy for you to give successful presentations. Control f.ex. PowerPoint, Keynote®, NeoOffice®, Adobe® Reader® or Preview. Activate the builtin Mousespot feature to gently highlight the position of your mouse cursor and use it as an elegant laser pointer. Shift your audience's attention exactly where you want it to be.
Virtual keyboard, mouse and remote control: Your remote is now also a keyboard, mouse or .. virtual remote. Enter texts and URLs using the freely scalable onscreen keyboard, use it as a two button mouse with wheel - or control applications that have support for and listen to an Apple® Remote - with any remote control of your choice supported by Remote Buddy!
Take direct control of more than 100 applications and system parameters
Remote Buddy does not only allow you to control your presentations, but also all commonly used browsers, players, TV applications, media center software like f.ex. Front Row, games, fun software like Google™ Earth and Photobooth and important system parameters like screen brightness, volume and monitor setup. Browse your filesystem or quickly access just your recently used files. Remote Buddy's unmatched, functional richness is rooted in its design, that builds upon special plugins - so called Behaviours.
Extensive hardware support / Retrofit an Apple® Remote
Remote Buddy does not only support the infrared receiver of the latest Macs, but also Hardware by Keyspan™, Griffin, SiK™, the Wiimote and eHome 2005 Receiver. Retrofitting an Apple® Remote to a PowerPC™-Mac® or Mac® Pro is just as easy with Remote Buddy as using your Wiimote as the ultimate remote control with IR mouse mode. Maximize the usefulness of your hardware with Remote Buddy and enjoy an unmatched freedom of choice.
There is also an article on how to retrofit an Apple® Remote and other remote controls on the web site.
Get the full information and download the software here.
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