transmitter into the PDA's external headphone jack. (The module is the rounded antenna-like hardware piece on top of the PDA in the photo.)

The IrDA output signal is controlled via the PDA's audio output signals, and ends up being three times as powerful as what is available using conventional PDA IrDA transmission circuits, Griffin says. For example, the module enables controlling infrared devices nearly 100 feet away using a typical iPAQ PDA.

Griffin says its Total Remote comes with device profiles for over 300 devices such as TV, VCR, DVD, etc., and it's easy to create additional custom device profiles by sampling commands from standard remotes.

Griffin notes that, since some Pocket PCs do not have audio hardware of sufficient quality to use the Total Remote Transmitter Module, Total Remote also supports built in Infrared ports. In this case, range is severely limited compared to using the special transmitter module; additionally, the support for standard IrDA ports can be sued in case the special audio-driven transmitter module is misplace or damaged.

According to Griffin, Total Remote works with Windows CE 3.0 and above on all ARM Pocket PC's, and is also compatible with a number of the new XScale Pocket PC's. System requirements include: Pocket PC device running Pocket PC 2000 or later (including 2002 and 2003); StrongARM or XScale processor (not compatible with MIPS, SH3 or others); and 1.05MB of storage space on the device.