There are three hardware-based options of which I’m aware for accessing the music playing functions an an iPod, iPhone, or iPad, as well as customisable software programs. These won’t help you to use the programs on an iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad – just to play the music, audiobooks and podcasts you’ve already put onto the device.
Each option has different features, and of course different things work for different people so I’ll let you know as many features as I have knowledge of, and we can go from there:
SpaceKraft’s iPod Switcher
This is the simplest controller, with only three buttons. It has a desktop docking unit where the iPod sits plus a wireless controller unit with the three buttons.
The iPod Switcher with a traditional type iPod
Functions it controls: Play/Pause, Next Track, Previous Track.
Switch access: This unit does not allow your own switches to be plugged in, only the unit’s own built-in buttons can be used.
Compatibility: The sales page just says “iPod”. There’s no clear indication of which iPods it will operate with – it looks like the dock part would only fit specific sizes of iPods.
Wireless controller size: 24cm wide, 19cm deep, 7cm tall.
Button size: Unspecified.
Cost: £295
Notes: The switcher control box is battery powered. The page says “Operates on 240v” which implies the dock section needs to be plugged in to operate, however.
RJ Cooper’s BIG iPod Remote
Five-button remote with large brightly coloured buttons on the top, separate switches can also be plugged in.
RJ's BIG iPod Remote being used by an elderly woman
Functions it controls: Play/Pause, Next Track, Previous Track, Volume up, Volume down.
Switch access: The unit’s own built-in buttons can be used or any/all of these buttons can be replaced by separate switches.
Compatibility: It should fit any iPod/iPhone/iPad except the iPod Shuffle.
Wireless controller size: 8″ wide x 5″ deep x 3″ tall.
Button size: The large green button is 1-3/4″ and the smaller buttons are 1-1/4″.
Cost: US$119
Technical Solutions’ iScanMP3 (formerly SwitchPod)
Single switch visual/auditory scanning system, including adjustable scan speed.
The iScan MP3 plugged into a traditional style iPod
Functions it controls: Play/Pause, Next Track, Previous Track, Volume up, Volume down, Power on/off.
Switch access: Plug in any standard switch.
Compatibility: It should fit any iPod/iPhone/iPad except the iPod Shuffle.
Cost: AU$190
Other Options
There are some ‘easy music controller’ programs for the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad which present an interface that’s easier to operate for those with limited dexterity. They generally operate by gestures, where a single tap gesture anywhere on the screen will operate either the ‘pause/play’ function or the ‘next song’ function. Some are configurable so that you can define what gestures mean what.
These are some cheap options I recommend:
- Gesture Player
- This is the one I use myself to listen to my audio books. Specially cool things about it:
- Compatible with both iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch. Most seem to be iPhone/iPod Touch only.
- Clearly displays the function you have activated, so you know what’s happening.
- You can pick a default playlist to use. Most seem to only have the option to use the full library.
- Can adjust the sensitivity of the gesture recogniser, more sensitive requires the gestures to be more accurate before they’re recognised.
About the only thing that isn’t perfect about this one is there’s no ability to configure which gesture does what!
- Swiper Music Player
- Swiper has slightly different controls, so a single tap to the screen moves to the next track and a long tap (press-and-hold) is needed to operate the play/pause function. It also displays the music’s cover art so you can see pictorially what’s playing. Swiper is for the iPhone/iPod Touch only, there’s no iPad native version.
- LeechTunes
- LeechTunes allows some controls to be customised, but basic controls seem fixed, including a single tap operating the play/pause function. There are a bunch of different “skins” to change the appearance and a software function to lock the program in either portrait or landscape mode. It also has iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad versions.
- Ricky Buchanan
Paul Natsch November 12, 2010 at 4:21 am
Fluxtunes is a nice, easy-to-use music app as well.
Dave Doolin November 12, 2010 at 8:04 am
That BIG iPod remote looks cool as hell. I’m tempted to get just because it looks so cool.
Besides, in a world of solid state, analog anything is cool.
David Clay November 13, 2010 at 2:54 am
Great reviews! I didn’t know such a product existed. I know my father whose a senior would definitely love an Ipod player that has much more accessible buttons than the small ones that the Ipod have now.
Duane Shinn November 18, 2010 at 10:50 am
I am always amazed by the iPhone and the related products. This little device can do anything. It is so handy. I would see that this would be particularly useful for the elderly or the site impaired. Keep the reviews coming.
Ricky Buchanan December 23, 2010 at 8:18 pm
@Paul: Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll try FluxTunes too!