I agree completely. I gave up using the remote. It became too much of a hassle and I ran into many of the problems as listed above.

It's not safe to wear earphones while riding a bike, and it is illegal in many states. For good reason. You need to be able to hear what is happening around you to avoid getting into an accident.

I just recently bought the Apple Wired Remote, and frankly, it's made my iPod worth using for things like walking and jogging. (I'm a shuffle-play addict, and I'm never happy with whatever song the shuffle chooses -- so I need that remote to flip around to get to what I want w/o having to fumble with the ipod itself). It also works great in the car, where I can switch songs with
just the remote in my hand, rather than reaching around for the 'pod.

(And, in the car, the sideways clip works great -- it hangs off of the thin
cable that runs to the cassette adapter with no problem...but that's another story).

I agree with you about the cord length, though -- it's rather annoying: there's a neat little plastic gadget called a "Smartwrap" (made by Sumajin;
www.sumajin.com) that neatly wraps up the excess cord. For running, I can wrap both the headphone cord and the remote cord around this widget -- then my fingers fit neatly in between the remote and the Smartwrap, so there's no need to clip, and I know exactly how the remote is oriented, so I don't confuse the buttons.

.....

I have a system with my iPod and remote that works when I'm on foot, on my bike, and anywhere else. First, for security purposes and for convenience, I keep my iPod on me, not in a bag. I use Waterfield Designs' iPod Case to keep my iPod on my belt and, when I'm not listening, my earphones folded in half three times, stored neatly in the case's pocket.

Have you thought about clipping your remote to an exposed section of your earphone or remote cable? I choose not to use the excess remote cable length at all. Instead, I use Sumajin's Smartwrap to keep it, too, neatly stored in the WD case's pocket. (When both remote and earphone cables are stored in the pocket in my system, they never get tangled.

So, the remote cable emerges from the upper right corner of my closed case and, about two inches later, plugs into my iPod. Meanwhile, the earphone cable also emerges from that corner and, about three inches later, plugs into the remote. On its way there, it threads through the open loop of the remote's cable, makes a U-turn, and plugs in.

I clip the remote to that second inch of earphone cable, before it threads through the loop. The other end of the remote retains a little more than an inch of its cable before the cable disappears into the case.

This keeps the remote accessible at my side, conveniently and comfortably floating on my wide L.L.Bean woven Military Belt. Since the remote never changes position when attached, I never have to struggle to remember which button does what.

Also of note, to keep the earphone cable from tangling with any external forces, I thread it though my outermost (untucked) shirt layer up to my ears. If I wear a tucked button-down shirt instead, I thread between the buttons closest to my pants.

Works every time!

Your article doesn't say, but I'm assuming you don't use an iPod mini. If you did, you could wear it strapped to your arm; thus always "handy". The iPod is a bit big for that type of wearing.

avonterr -

Wearing earphones while on a bike is a different experience for different people. Some of us (me included) find that listening to music makes us more aware of our surroundings, especially when it's at a volume that remains conducive to hearing those sounds.

Anyway, when I'm faced with such a scenario that forbids the earphones, I have a Bicycle Stereo available.

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avonterr wrote:
It's not safe to wear earphones while riding a bike, and it is illegal in many states. For good reason. You need to be able to hear what is happening around you to avoid getting into an accident.

While I would agree with you that it is unsafe to ride with some earplugs and headsets, I specifically picked the Philips HE591 Earphones ( http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=2-3/qid=1098721780/ref=sr_2_3/601-8343992-4057758?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B0001OY2VS )
They are not the most comfortable earbuds, they are actually more like earplugs, but they allow a lot of outside sound in. It took me a while to get use to wearing them, but once I did I found that they actually do sound pretty good. The problem in wearing them while riding is wind noise; on a windy day I have to take them off, the noise is so loud.

Vern

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earthsaver wrote:
I have a system with my iPod and remote that works when I'm on foot, on my bike, and anywhere else. First, for security purposes and for convenience, I keep my iPod on me, not in a bag. I use Waterfield Designs' iPod Case to keep my iPod on my belt and, when I'm not listening, my earphones folded in half three times, stored neatly in the case's pocket.

I have the Belkin Leather iPod case. I carry a charger, FW cable, remote and earphone in my satchel. I wire tie everything before putting it in, but, as I said, things still get tangled. I'll check out your case though.

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earthsaver wrote:
Have you thought about clipping your remote to an exposed section of your earphone or remote cable? I choose not to use the excess remote cable length at all. Instead, I use Sumajin's Smartwrap to keep it, too, neatly stored in the WD case's pocket. (When both remote and earphone cables are stored in the pocket in my system, they never get tangled.

Yeah, I tried that, doesn't work for me. The added weight pull the earplugs out, then I have to stop and put them back on, etc.

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earthsaver wrote:
So, the remote cable emerges from the upper right corner of my closed case and, about two inches later, plugs into my iPod. Meanwhile, the earphone cable also emerges from that corner and, about three inches later, plugs into the remote. On its way there, it threads through the open loop of the remote's cable, makes a U-turn, and plugs in.

I clip the remote to that second inch of earphone cable, before it threads through the loop. The other end of the remote retains a little more than an inch of its cable before the cable disappears into the case.

This keeps the remote accessible at my side, conveniently and comfortably floating on my wide L.L.Bean woven Military Belt. Since the remote never changes position when attached, I never have to struggle to remember which button does what.

This is just what I'm talking about. There should be a better way to do this. The remote was suppose to make it more convenient, not less. You doing this everytime you use your iPod makes using the iPod a diminished experience.

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earthsaver wrote:
Also of note, to keep the earphone cable from tangling with any external forces, I thread it though my outermost (untucked) shirt layer up to my ears. If I wear a tucked button-down shirt instead, I thread between the buttons closest to my pants.

Works every time!

Sounds pretty involved. But if it works...

My current system involves shoestring, 3 condoms, and a dead cat.

OK, I'm kidding about the condoms.

Seriously, this is a small but important aspect of using the iPod, and I believe Apple should have paid more attention to it.

Vern Seward

I haven't even taken the remote out of its plastic wrap. One look at it and I thought 'what's the point of a remote when you have the iPod on you anyway'. IMHO it just seemed an odd accessory when the controls on the iPod itself are so intuitive, but then I laugh out loud at car stereos with remotes as well.

I should add that I don't bike with mine, though.

"It's not safe to wear earphones while riding a bike..."

I guess we better stop selling bikes to deaf people then.

Yeah, the iRemote is a beta that accidentally shipped. The only time I use mine is when I'm working in the yard. I put my iPod in a silicon iSkin to keep the dirt out then tuck it deep in a pocket. The remote is then velcro'd to my tool belt after tucking all the loops of cable into my pockets. I wish Belkin would make one, perhaps they could do better. I usually have to look at it to tell which button to push, which can be a problem with a running chain saw in both hands.

Vern, considered an FM transmitter and an FM radio headphone? It solves the cord tangle issue but not the remote control issue, although wouldn't it be nice to have a handlebar mount for the iPod? Some users of the FM transmitters (ie iTrip) have trouble finding an effective frequency setting, especially in a large city with lots of radio stations.

Just a thought.

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coaten wrote:
Vern, considered an FM transmitter and an FM radio headphone? It solves the cord tangle issue but not the remote control issue, although wouldn't it be nice to have a handlebar mount for the iPod? Some users of the FM transmitters (ie iTrip) have trouble finding an effective frequency setting, especially in a large city with lots of radio stations.

Just a thought.

Actually, that's not a bad idea. But as you say, it solves only part of the problem. I suppose I could get an iPod armband to make the iPod easier to get to. Still, this is only a rigged solution.

This gets a little closer: http://www.osxp.net/accessory/iremote.htm

while it doesn't solve the cable problem it does reduce the cable length by 3 feet, and that's good. I wish someone would make one (Apple!)

Vern Seward

Always have to complain about "something". At least you have the ABILITY to play any song in your entire music catalog as you endanger your life and the lives of others for the sake of "Turning Japanese" by the Vapors. Douche bag.

And the next time you decide to get reckless behind the keyboard do us all a favor just rub one out in the privacy of your own home instead. It would be more beneficial to the universe as a whole for your seed to be flushed down the drain than your pathetic whinings to be spread across the globe.

No more "Just a Thought" BS.

I bought myself these wonderful earbuds (Sony MDR-EX71S1-white edition!) and, guess what, they have a short cord + extention. The extention is for those who don't use a remote. Problem solved and much better sound.

It's true, I never touched the remote until I had a earbuds with a really short cord.

read more: http://www.ipodlounge.com/reviews_more.php?id=P4997_0_6_0_C
order: www.bluetin.com They delivered from Japan to Belgium in about 8 days for less than over here in a Sony store and that's for the black edition!)

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coaten wrote:
It solves the cord tangle issue but not the remote control issue, although wouldn't it be nice to have a handlebar mount for the iPod?

There has been a [url="http://www.marware.com/convertible4G.html"]handlebar mount[/url], but it's only compatible with Marware cases and the company's proprietary clip system. Just found another one from [url="http://www.cycoactive.com/ram/ramipod.shtml"]CycoActive[/url].

I don't have an ipod(though I'd love one) so I can't testify to the traumas of tangled lines and wrong buttons:) haha..

i think you can save 40 bucks, by adding your own pimple. why wait for apple to do it. just take come krazy glue(the gel might work better) and add a drop of glue on your least used button and let it dry.

Least used so it doesn't cause any problems for you, just there to identify the orientation of the remote;)

sorry, no suggestions for the tangles;) enjoy at your own risk

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Guest wrote:
I don't have an ipod(though I'd love one) so I can't testify to the traumas of tangled lines and wrong buttons:) haha..

i think you can save 40 bucks, by adding your own pimple. why wait for apple to do it. just take come krazy glue(the gel might work better) and add a drop of glue on your least used button and let it dry.

Least used so it doesn't cause any problems for you, just there to identify the orientation of the remote;)

sorry, no suggestions for the tangles;) enjoy at your own risk

Great idea! Thanks.

Actually, what I wound up doing was taking a fingernail file and notching one edge of the controller. Not the best solution, but it works. I'll try the glue/epoxy, but I'm wondering if the slick metal surface will allow the glue to adhere.

I also want to thank all of you who have written to offer suggestions and to tell me how you manage your remote. From the looks of it, there certainly seems to be a consensus that the remote could have been designed better. If anyone from Apple is reading this, perhaps you could point this out in your next design meeting. At least, if any of the rumors are true about a new color iPod (Gen 5 ?) then maybe offer the redesigned with it when it is released.

In the mean time, if you have an idea or know of a product that makes using your iPod an even better experience please post it here or write me directly.

Vern Seward

I guess the rumors ARE true.