Controller or alternative (iPod touch/iPhone)?

[Lesu]

I took my iPod controller on holiday, watched a couple of films on the plane, listened to my song collection on the rented house's music centre, hooked onto a free WiFi connection at a local coffee bar and then listened to some more songs on the flight back. Got home and sat down, selected one of my play lists and turned on some relaxing music, all courtesy of the one device.
I guess if you have the cash then you can splash out on 2 devices, but I'll stick to one with the widest possible use.

[DeVerm]

I took my iPod controller on holiday, watched a couple of films on the plane, listened to my song collection on the rented house's music centre, hooked onto a free WiFi connection at a local coffee bar and then listened to some more songs on the flight back. Got home and sat down, selected one of my play lists and turned on some relaxing music, all courtesy of the one device.
I guess if you have the cash then you can splash out on 2 devices, but I'll stick to one with the widest possible use.

Exactly what I mean, the iTouch/iPhone is great for doing all with just one tiny gadget. While traveling I also need my pocketPC for it's Skype software (find wifi and you can call, no matter where you are!) and this is really something that would make the final killer app for the iPod.

Remember the "datapads" in Star Trek... like the Voyager series. I think the iTouch can do that and more and is smaller. The iPhone adds the communicator function. Progress!

But.... with the SBC I can do most things without looking at it. Remember that it's very new too and will improve it's functionality with further upgrades. I'm just thinking about a great solution for the big library/scrollwheel issue and will start a thread about it ;-)

cheers,
Nick.

[vitoruch]

I'm planning to buy some remote solution for my one Transporter and two Squeezeboxes setup. But I'm uncertain if I should buy the Controller or a iPod touch (or Iphone) with some of the iPeng, iSqueeze/Squeemote, Squidgy software.

I would definitely bet on an ipod touch/iphone native solution - specially iPeng - that has already run a large path in developement , pretty well integrated to SC community, since it´s firt safari´s version a long time ago.

Even with dedicated buttons, Logitech´s controller is tooo expansive, in my opinion, for one single purpose.

And a native appl (any of them) should respond far way better than a browser one - so, if you were already kinda happy with ipeng for safari, it´s native version should be an enormous upgrade, undoubtably.

Vitor

[jazztime]

Thank you for all the good comments, suggestions and recomendations! What is most imortant to me is:

- Stability and responsiveness. Some reports that the controller often loose network. Is this an issue with iTouch? On the other hand some reports, that native iTouch solutions some times crash/needs reboot. Is this an issue with the controller?

- Easy access to my large music collection (I'm using the alpha keys on the standard remote a lot). It seems that iTouch is easier for accessing large music collection (which makes sense to me) but not as convinient for making simple changes as the controller.

As of now, I find the Controller with CustomBrowse a much more useful remote. Squidgy simply can't cope with the number of albums in my library.

Why can Squidgy not cope wiht large collections? Also, is it possible to use custombrowse on any of the iTouch native solutions?

- Battery life. Is battery life better on the Controller or iTouch 2G (using wifi)?

Can both of the solution do WakeOnLan?

It's a tough choice (cannot by both of them). The iTouch is cheaper and seems very nice to me, but I do not plan using it for other things than as remote for the Transporter (except perhaps browsing sites like allmusic.com). So perhaps the controller as a dedicated remote might be a better choice............

$370 for 1 controller, are you sure? that sounds very expensive, I didn't pay that much for my Duet here in the UK.

Oh yes - that's the price in Denmark. Saw it on ebay.co.uk for 165£, which is of course less than in Denmark, but if I get any warranty-issues...........

[socistep]

I have been debating the usage of my controller v. iPhone recently.

I have a Duet as the main system in the living room, I've recently purchased a boom which I plan to use in the Bedroom mainly (the boom is in the post)

I've downloaded the Squidgy app and plan to purchase the other two apps to decide which is best, so far I have been impressed with this type of this app and using the iPhone functionality for controlling my SB kit.

In terms of pro's and con's to date -

iPhone

Pro's
- Ease of use
- Better browsing, searching and display
- Ability to have another controller for a cheap price

Con's
- Software updates (e.g. to enable headphone playback)
- No Squeezenetwork control (I listen to this a lot when laptop off)
- Screen saver issue - Losing connection when screen saver comes on, I use this a lot to protect battery life and password protect for data

Controller

Pro's
- Instant software enhancement
- Future ability to listen to music from controller (big plus IMO)
- Standalone - e.g. no impact from other apps such as phone ringing or checking email etc.
- Controls Squeezenetwork

Con's
- Look, feel & user interaction not as good
- Connectivity issues from time to time

My current view

What I will probably do is use the controller in the living room as the main unit, the iPhone will come into play mainly to control the boom as I always have my phone charging by the bed

The main restriction I see with the iPhone though is not being able to control Squeezenetwork, with that in mind I will probably have to progress my plans to have a dedicated server for my music...

Thank you for all the good comments, suggestions and recomendations! What is most imortant to me is:

- Stability and responsiveness. Some reports that the controller often loose network. Is this an issue with iTouch? On the other hand some reports, that native iTouch solutions some times crash/needs reboot. Is this an issue with the controller?

- Easy access to my large music collection (I'm using the alpha keys on the standard remote a lot). It seems that iTouch is easier for accessing large music collection (which makes sense to me) but not as convinient for making simple changes as the controller.



Why can Squidgy not cope wiht large collections? Also, is it possible to use custombrowse on any of the iTouch native solutions?

- Battery life. Is battery life better on the Controller or iTouch 2G (using wifi)?

Can both of the solution do WakeOnLan?

It's a tough choice (cannot by both of them). The iTouch is cheaper and seems very nice to me, but I do not plan using it for other things than as remote for the Transporter (except perhaps browsing sites like allmusic.com). So perhaps the controller as a dedicated remote might be a better choice............



Oh yes - that's the price in Denmark. Saw it on ebay.co.uk for 165£, which is of course less than in Denmark, but if I get any warranty-issues...........

[slimkid]

I'm pretty sure that player on the squeezenetwork can be web controlled, so iTouch should be able to do it.

K

[pippin]

I'm pretty sure that player on the squeezenetwork can be web controlled, so iTouch should be able to do it.

K

No, it can only be web controlled through SN.

[slimkid]

No, it can only be web controlled through SN.

That's what I'm saying. One can control SN playback through iTouch. All it takes is to log on to one's account on SN using Safari.

K

[pippin]

That's what I'm saying. One can control SN playback through iTouch. All it takes is to log on to one's account on SN using Safari.

K

Ah, sorry, misunderstood that.

[amcluesent]

The Controller is superior to iPeng and Squidgy IMHO.

Usability, speed and customisation need for classical collections are superior at the moment. Not to say that the apps can't/won't improve.