Hacking iPod and iTunes

Use a Pocket PC to record the “sounds” an infrared remote makes, transfer them to your iPod, and start changing channels with your new universal remote control.

We’re going to take an iPod and turn it into a universal infrared (IR) remote control, which can be used to control all your home electronic equipment, or just about anything that uses a remote control. For example, in my home, my iPod controls my TV, DVD player, Direct TV, Ultimate TV PVR, Media Center PC, Xbox, XM Satellite Radio, Roomba, and a few other random things, such as a robot. Figure 1-14 shows a variety of remotes your iPod can replace.

To do this, we are going to “record” the “sounds” an infrared remote makes on a PC and then put them on an iPod as songs. Adding a special sound-to- IR converter then turns those sounds back to IR and allows you to use your iPod as a remote control. As an added bonus, it works from up to 100 feet away. It’s a slick all-in-one unit, and you’ll never go back to using multiple remotes again.

Here’s what you’ll need for this hack:

.An iPod (doesn’t matter which one)
.A Mac or PC with sound recording software
.A Pocket PC (any Pocket PC 2002/2003 should work)
.Griffin’s Total Remote software and IR device ($24.99)

Getting the IR Signal:

The most important element is the sound-to-IR converter from Griffin, This device (and software) was meant to extend the range of Pocket PCs and add consumer IR capabilities. You are first going to use the Pocket PC software to input the IR signals from your remotes, convert these signals to sound files, and then use your iPod to play those sounds through the sound-to-IR converter to control your devices.

First, install the Total Remote software on your Pocket PC. Follow the instructions and start entering all the remotes you’ll ultimately want to use on your iPod. To keep this example simple, we’re going to begin by turning the TV on and off. pic

On the Pocket PC, choose Start ->Programs ->Total Remote. Then, choose Edit ->Start One-Shot Sampling, Pick the power button on the interface.

Total Remote prompts you to hold the remote (in our example, the TV remote) up to the IR port on the Pocket PC. This records the IR signal.

Once you’ve captured the IR signal, you can test it by using the IR device included with Total Remote. After you verify that it works, it’s time to get that IR signal off the Pocket PC and onto a computer as a sound file.

Recording the Signal:

from the Pocket PC to the microphone or line-in port. You can get a 3.5 mm stereo audio cable such as this from Radio Shack or any computer store. Many computers come with one to run sound out to speakers; that’ll work too.

On your desktop computer , use a sound-editing program that can edit sounds and remove channels (left and right). This example uses SoundForge ($399.00).

In your recording application, set the recording format to the following (this is really important):44 Hz, 16bit Stereo. PCM

We’re ultimately going to save the signal as a WAV (Windows sound file).
Press Record in the sound-recording application. Then, on the Pocket PC (with the line out from the headphone jack to the line in on the desktop computer), press the button to which you assigned the Power signal.

Stop the recording and press Play. If you recorded the signal properly, you’ll hear some weird beeps and pulses. That’s what the IR signal “sounds” like. In SoundForge, you can actually see the pulses and signal on a WAV graphic.

Next, highlight the right channel and mute it. If you skip this step, the sound won’t process through the IR device properly.

Now, save the sound recording as a 44 Hz, 16 bit Stereo, PCM WAV file. We called ours power.wav

Putting the Signal on the iPod:

Pop your iPod in the cradle. In iTunes, make a new playlist (I called mine TV) and then add the WAV file to the playlist, as shown in Figure 1-20.

The file transfers to the iPod, and we’re ready to test our new remote

Ready, Aim, Fire:

Remove the iPod from the cradle and put the Total Remote IR device in the iPod’s headphone jack.

Go to the playlist and point the iPod at the TV.

Click Play. If you’ve done everything right, your TV should turn on and off each time you play this sound. Go backhand input all your other devices. Congratulations! You can now control your TV—or anything else, for that matter—with your iPod.

Keeping your computer in tip top shape.

PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS BEFORE DOING IT :

1. A computer gets dusty inside. Clean it out. I would recommend using compressed air in the cans (because it has no moisture in it) and taking the tower outside, and blowing it out. DO NOT VACUUM unless you know what you are doing. The static electricity can ruin the electronic components in the system.

2. While cleaning, removing the cards and blowing the slots they are in is also a good thing to do. Be sure to use static bags or something that does not generate static electricity when setting down the components. You can do this one at a time, or you can do them all at a time. REMEMBER WHERE EACH CARD GOES. If you don’t, sometimes Windows will want to re-install the drivers, and it’s a pain.

3. After you are done cleaning out the system, plug it in without the side panel on, and verify that each fan works (Processor, Power supply, Video (may or may not have one), any fans on the inside of the tower itself)

4. Be sure to run the Spyware removal tools frequently (once a week), AdAware6, Spybot and CClean as Spyware will cause your system to run slow. They can be found here:

5. Go through your add/remove programs at least every month (once a week if you install a lot of things) and remove anything you don’t use anymore. If you are unsure about what a certain thing is, leave it in there until you can find out further information about it.

6. A computer will run a lot faster after a format. If you have the resources (hard drive space on a spare drive, or a friends computer you can network to), and you also have knowledge on computers, it is a good idea to format the main drive (the one containing your windows install) and reinstalling windows. Before reinstalling, write down the serial numbers of all your cards inside your computers, along with brand names, do the same for your mainboard. Back up your documents, mp3s, anything that is NOT A PROGRAM onto a spare drive or CD/DVD. BE SURE TO KEEP A COPY OF THE NETWORK CARD/MODEM DRIVERS BEFORE YOU FORMAT, if you do not, you may not be able to access the internet again. Do the format and reinstall then update everything for drivers from each website (so you have the most up to date).

I would do motherboard first (ALWAYS), then Video second, because then you can go into higher resolutions. If you are having troubles finding a driver, go to the DriverGuide web site and use the L/P: drivers/all. Once all the drivers are up to date, update your windows using Windows update. Be sure to update DirectX also. After everything has been updated (Direct x, drivers, windows), begin to re-install your software, then copy your files back over from the backup you create.

How to Prevent "Hacking"

First off most hacking is not hacking at all, normally what happens is that someone gives their log on to some one they trusted, or a friend.If you do buy an account from someone, make sure that the person has a "good" rating, or that the person no longer has the CD key.

With that said, there are the few incidents of "true" hacking , and we will go over ways to help prevent them.

1.) Tricks of the trade:

There are several tricks that people may use to get your info. One of the questions to change your password is commonly," what is the name of your pet?" Now this one is pretty slick, for the mere fact that this infact does come up in a normal conversation. A simple solution would be just to say, "I don't have a pet", or use the name of a niece or cousin instead. This can go hand in hand with making "look at my new puppy his name is spot" type posts.

2.) Cookies/malware/data ware:

One of recent advents of the internet is tiny programs that install themselves without your permission. Typical virus scanners do not yet have the capability to remove these programs and that's because Anti-Virus software don't consider AdAware6 to be viral. The tool that I use to remove these programs is AdAware6, it is a free download and simple to install and run. You can use any Spyware remover you would like as well, another coukle highly recommended tools are Spybot. and CClean, Make sure if you do get these, that you update , and run them on a regular basis. Another way to prevent people getting information on you is to delete your cookies on a regular basis. you can do this by going to the top of your internet explorer screen.

3.) Virus scanning:

The title itself you should be enough. Get a good virus scanner. I would not suggest using a free/shareware one, as the money spent on this type of program is worth every red cent. I use Norton 2003 Pro myself and love it. UPDATE YOUR VIRUS DEFINITIONS OFTEN. you should be at least checking for updates 2 times a week. Hackers work full time it doesn't take more then 5 min to click "Update now".

If you are after a Firewall as well then don't assume your Anti-Virus software has one. In general, antivirus software doesn't come with a firewall. In the case of Symantec's products, you need to purchase the antivirus/firewall package to get both. McAfee also has bundles. But if you just buy Norton Anti-Virus or McAfee...uh...whatever they call it, you only get the AV software.

My next updates will be on TIPS AND TRICKS AND HOW TO UPDATE THE ANTIVIRUS.