IPod Remote

The iPod Remote was a peripheral that was introduced with the 2nd-generation iPod on July 17, 2002. It supported all iPod models and was also available separately for 39.

Description
The iPod Remote included control buttons for volume controls, track skipping, and play/pause. It included Apple earphones with a shorter cable that could be inserted into the pass-through headphone jack. The remote was bundled with high-capacity models of the 2nd and 3rd-generation iPod.

Hardware and serial protocol
Enthusiasts have disassembled the remotes to discern the electronics and serial protocol used to communicate with supported iPod models. Inside the small metal enclosure, the remote circuit board was manufactured by and connected to the a custom headphone jack through 6 connectors. The 4-conductor headphone jack carries the stereo audio signals, audio ground, and data to iPod. It is surrounded by two metal rings which supply 3.3 s of power and digital ground. The rings are similar to that used by Apple Pro Speakers and have been used to power some 3rd-party accessories, such as the Griffin iTrip.

Discontinuation
On January 10, 2006, the iPod Remote was superseded by the iPod Radio Remote, an iPod shuffle-like peripheral which included its own radio receiver. On March 11, 2009, the 3rd-generation iPod shuffle introduced new Apple earbuds which integrated a much smaller remote on the right earphone cord.