The iPhone and iPod Touch are really the ideal media centre remote control. They have superb high resolution displays an industry leading touch sensitive interface and WiFi built in as standard. With the correct software they should compare very favourably to the very much more expensive custom controllers from companies such as Linn, Philips etc.

One company who have recognised this potential market is Alloysoft whose Signal product allows you to use the iPhone or Touch to control the music playing from iTunes ( or WinAmp etc if you really must… ). The software consists of a Windows or Mac application that generates a web site that you can browse to using the Safari browser on the iPhone. The site that is presented allows you to browse through your music collection to find the required track/album and then to start that track playing and control the playback. Once a track is playing the album cover art is displayed on the iPhone/iPod along with track details and ratings.

This is really the ideal companion application for Apples Airport Express. With it you can use the cheap Airport and your iPhone/Touch to create a very affordable multi room stereo system.

Well worth a look