Belkin launches SportCommand wearable iPod remote

If you're the type of person whose life resembles a Mountain Dew commercial, then there's probably been more than one occasion when you've foolishly tried to fiddle with your iPod's controls while doing something very dangerous at a very high rate of speed. Well since you're (hopefully) not reading this from a hospital bed, luck has apparently been on your side so far, but instead of tempting fate yet again during your next x-treme sporting expedition, Belkin hopes that you'll keep it safe with its new SportCommand remote. The weather-resistant, big-buttoned arm band features an adjustable Velcro strap for use with even the bulkiest snowboarding or Starter jacket, and sends your commands to a compatible iPod equipped with the included receiver (all 'Pods will work save for non-click wheel and, obviously, Shuffle varieties). Sure you could get the same functionality from an Audex jacket or the iSuit, but Burton charges an arm and a leg for its gear and you'd look pretty silly skydiving in a two-piece suit. Look for the SportCommand at your favorite iPod retailer (i.e. any store in America) sometime in November -- when it'll set you back $80 -- and keep reading for an x-treme close-up shot...

[Via TUAW]

[greg Sciulli @ Oct 9th 2006 7:47PM]

Did I miss it, or are you guys not covering the Google/You Tube deal?

[xerxesdaphat @ Oct 9th 2006 7:58PM]

This would be good for my motorbike... having my iPod on shuffle while riding around always means crap songs come up and I can't really skip the song with gloves on and while doing 100kph. It's waterproof too, which is a must...

-Tommi

[shirizaki @ Oct 9th 2006 8:00PM]

I, for one, welcome our overpriced music playing torso covers.

[Xero @ Oct 9th 2006 8:01PM]

What does google or youtube have to do with gadgets?

[greg Sciulli @ Oct 9th 2006 8:07PM]

"What does google or youtube have to do with gadgets?"

Apple's iTV (to be released in January) was announced to have Google Video integration. Apple's iTV is considered a "gadget."

Plus, I always took it that engadget was a general technology blog. Not just specifically gadgets.

[NeoteriX @ Oct 9th 2006 8:10PM]

It might be that I suck at snowboarding and such, but I never could figure out why it was ever a good idea to be listening to music while boarding. Unless you're all alone off the beaten path doing your own thing, I always thought I needed to be able to hear what was going on around me,especially between the people all around going slower or faster than me.

It would be fun to be listening to music though...

[Steve @ Oct 9th 2006 8:45PM]

Well, looks like I have to get an iPod now.

[Chris @ Oct 9th 2006 9:42PM]

NeoteriX, I usually enjoy listening to music when I ski, but only towards the top of the mountain, where there are fewer newer sportsmen. I just consider it too dangerous to listen to music in: a) rough terrain, b) foul weather, and c) crowded areas. Oh, and I sometimes listen to it on the ski lifts. On the slopes, music helps me feel "dramatic".

[diulei @ Oct 9th 2006 9:43PM]

I could _definitely_ see this as useful while snowboarding. I always take my iPod (and notice that lots of other people have white earbuds while on the slopes, too), but it's a damn hassle if I want to skip / repeat tracks.

Although $80 is a little pricey for a remote, it's cheaper than the Burton iPod-integrated jacket at $300. Another company makes once for $3,000 too, although they throw in an iPod.

[rayray14 @ Oct 9th 2006 10:04PM]

Is it just me? Or does the model look like Keifer Sutherland?

[Dude @ Oct 11th 2006 4:25AM]

... rather Brad Pitt I'd say.

[Keaton @ Oct 9th 2006 10:26PM]

This would be so useful.... the only thing that would be better is probably mind control... I wonder if its dirt/chemical proof. I've seen a lot of stuff that was "water-proof" completely die after getting caked in mud or sand or stripex.... I agree with Tommi. Who wants to stop biking every three minutes to skip a couple of crap songs? I sure don't... but I don't want it to die in one of my spring/fall "mud rides".... hmmmm anybody have any guesses? will it last?

http://www.soggycowdesigns.com

[Scott Berfield @ Oct 9th 2006 11:06PM]

You might not want to use a hard drive based iPod (or any hard disk based portable) too high up in the mountains. Anything over about 12,000 feet, and I am told the drive heads may have trouble staying aloft over the disk surface due to decreased air pressure. Note that I have no idea if this is true as I only have a flash based iPod and it worked fine on Mt. Rainier last year.

[Martha Stewart @ Oct 9th 2006 11:27PM]

Alright. From now on, whenever another friggin Ipod accessory is introduced, a kitten will be set on fire.

[rodan32 @ Oct 10th 2006 12:25AM]

RayRay, the model is totally Adam from Mythbusters.

[Wildside @ Oct 10th 2006 12:31AM]

this is bad, what if their was n accident about to happen?

"holy sh......honey look out for that tree!!!"
"i cant hear u!!!!"

WHAMP!!!

plus, he wont know what music to choose, has to play each one to find a good one. What a waste of time. Doesnt it look like he's trying to find a certain music but cant because the screen is covered??? lol!!

[Ramon De Ocampo @ Oct 10th 2006 2:19AM]

+1 on motorcyclist needing something like that.... exactly what I need, especially if the thing is wireless.

[Clarke @ Oct 10th 2006 6:22AM]

I don't get why it wouldn't work with the 3rd generation iPod...it sounds as though the receiver just plugs into the dock connector....

[mOe @ Oct 10th 2006 11:01AM]

Oh Burton, what will you think of next? First you steal the idea for a snowboard from another company, now this. Now, I just have to find a way to keep my iPod from freezing when I snowboard as it tends to do. Oh well, I'll sacifice a cold iPod for the best snow in the world (Utah).

[Mark @ Oct 10th 2006 1:18PM]

It's belkin not burton there bud.

[nathan @ Oct 10th 2006 1:38PM]

Save your money guys, there's better stuff on its way...

[Sam @ Oct 10th 2006 5:58PM]

That picture was taken on Mount Hood; theres summer skiing there. In the distance is Mount Jefferson, another of the Cascade Volcanoes.

[gen @ Oct 13th 2006 3:50AM]

I want to control my iPod remotely, but this is toooo ugly. Only kinds want an armband.

[JC @ Feb 5th 2007 5:00PM]

I bought this remote and used it in 29 degree weather and it stopped working after about 20 minutes on the slopes. When I got home I tested it as follows: At room temperature it worked flawlessly. After putting the remote in the freezer for about 8 minutes it did not work. I then let it warm up and it worked fine again. So this is pretty useless if you need it for winter sports. I'm gonna try to get my $$ back from Belkin.

[Derwin @ Sep 4th 2007 8:38PM]

This is actually kind of cool, I like the intentionally-large rubberized buttons.