Accenda, makers of the popular voice controlled universal remote control, has now brought that same technology to the iPod.
With Accenda Voice Control for iPod you can:
- adjust the volume
- play
- stop
- go to the next track
- go to the previous track
- replay song
The little device is apparently easy to set up and also functions with languages other than English. From the description:
Just plug your existing earbuds or headphones into the ACCENDA VOICE CONTROL for iPod, plug the cable into the iPod dock connector, and you are ready to TELL your iPod what to do. No set up is required! The tiny (1″) lightweight ACCENDA VOICE CONTROL may be hung around your neck or clipped to your clothing and is powered by the iPod itself.
Designed to be usable right out-of-the-box by most English speakers, the ACCENDA VOICE CONTROL for iPod may also be “trained” to recognize commands in other languages.
Something like this might be very useful for people with physical limitations or for those situations where you’re just not in a good position to use the controls on your iPod. For example, if you have speakers attached to your iPod this would be an easy way to start music playing and listen to it from bad. At US$99 it’s a little pricey but it would be worth it if it’s a difference maker for you.
- Paul Natsch

Ricky Buchanan October 24, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Wow, that’s very cool. Do you know if they’re planning one for the iPhone? It would make a lot of people very happy!
Paul Natsch October 25, 2008 at 7:12 am
If the iPhone has the same dock connector then I would think it should work. Probably best to contact them first though before purchasing one just to make sure.
Ricky Buchanan October 29, 2008 at 1:09 pm
@Paul: If you find out, or find anybody who knows, please pass on the information!
Paul J Natsch October 30, 2008 at 8:47 am
Got an answer from Accenda:
“While users have reported the Accenda Voice Control for iPod works with the iPhone and iPhone 3G, it has not yet been certified to meet the Apple performance standards required to bear the “Works with iPhone” logo.”
Ricky Buchanan November 10, 2008 at 12:34 pm
@Paul: This is great to know – thank you!
Casey May 4, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I plan to use the Accenda while exercising. Can anyone comment from their experience on how resistant that Accenda microphone unit is to perspiraton? I ask, since the iPod microphone controller is notoriously sensitive to perspiration. After only a little contact with human sweat, the iPod microphone controller is likely to stop working, permanently.
How does that “rewind” command work on the Accenda? Does it rewind to the beginning of the current track? Or does it rewind by a set number of seconds. I sent an email to tech support at Accenda, but have not yet received a reply.
Casey