Use your Apple Remote to control everything

The Apple Remote is often dismissed as just a fancy tool for previewing some new films on Frontrow or controlling iTunes and not much else.

However, it can be used for so much more than that, as Sofa Control proves. Sofa Control allows you to command just about any application with the Apple Remote. When you start Sofa Control, you’re guided through a five-minute tutorial, which teaches you everything you need to know to get started with the app.

Sofa Control simply uses AppleScript to control other applications. To see what can be controlled, hold down the Menu button to reveal the control menu. If the application you want to control isn’t there, don’t worry because you can also use Sofa Control to turn your Apple Remote into a mouse controller, albeit a very slow one.

At random intervals, you are prompted to buy a license, although these messages can be removed by just clicking the ‘Next track’ button on your remote. I can see how Sofa Control would be very useful for those that want to control VLC Player or perform presentations with greater ease. However, unless you have a great need to control your Mac from a distance, it’s hard to see any other ways in which it would be worth using.

Nevertheless Sofa Control is a well-designed, easy-to-use and intelligent application that’s ideal for anyone who wants to get more out of their Apple Remote.

Improved support for DivX PlayerImproved support for Snow Leopard 10.6.2File Browser allows browsing on network volumesSupport for the new aluminum remote control

Changes

• Improved support for DivX PlayerImproved support for Snow Leopard 10.6.2File Browser allows browsing on network volumesSupport for the new aluminum remote control