14 DAY TRIAL // Along with the release of iPhone SDK Beta 8, Apple has also seeded a pre-release version of iTunes 7.7 and a new version of iPhone 2.0 software. MacRumors points out to a hint in the Read Me of the iTunes installer which says something about an iPhone / iPod Touch "remote application."
Seeded to developers on the night of June 26th, iTunes 7.7 contains some information about a certain Remote application for iPhone / iTouch users that will be used to control the media player from anywhere in their home. Allegedly, the app will be made available on the App Store as a free download. The Read Me file, according to the aforementioned source, reads:
Use iTunes 7.7 to sync music, video, and more with iPhone 3G, and download applications from the iTunes Store exclusively designed for iPhone and iPod touch with software version 2.0 or later. Also use the new Remote application for iPhone or iPod touch to control iTunes playback from anywhere in your home -- a free download from the App Store.
As far as new features in iTunes 7.7 go, the source confirms MobileMe Support - "Use MobileMe to have push email, push calendars, push contacts, and bookmarks delivered over the air to your iPhone." Also, "Applications" in iTunes Sync with the option to sync "All" or "selected" applications.
An Apple patent application, filed by the Mac maker in 2005, describes the possibility for an iPod / iPhone owner to use the device as a media remote control for their home entertainment system. Here's what it says, according to the same source: "A portable multimedia player (such as the iPod manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.) is used to wirelessly access and control a media server (such as a personal computer running iTunes software) that is streaming digital media by way of a wireless interface to a media unit (such as a stereo/speakers in the case of streaming digital audio)."
The idea of controlling iTunes remotely with your Apple handset isn't by far new. wifiTunes, a very cool free app developed by Urs Kofmel for iPhone and iTouch users, enables you to control iTunes via Safari (other browsers are supported, too) on your portable device. It builds a "bridge" between iTunes and the web browser, through an embedded web server. This way you can even switch between remote (AirTunes) speakers and toggle shuffled playback on/off.
