First, for those not familiar with this type of remote functionality:
these remote apps (at this point) are for playback of music. they are not full function input devices for a music server/pc.
I posted a few comments in another AG thread but it seems more apropos here:
...I have set up my iPod Touch (with WiFi) to also act as a handheld remote for my music server using an application on my Apple G5: Alloysoft's Signal (www.alloysoft.com/ ) Using the iPod Touch or iPhone's Safari browser you are able to access your server's iTunes albums, playlists, etc. Even cover art is displayed on the touch screen. Signal's UI is well done. This shareware application provides basic play, pause, RR, FF, and volume controls of iTunes. Comparing the two remote approaches I would say that Signal is convenient where NetTunes on a Mac laptop is powerful.
Of those listed in other posts above, Signal is the closest to the native UI of the iPod Touch/iPhone: very similar button graphics and location, similar heirarchal structure, etc. It only lacks the Cover Flow feature (flipping through the album art images to select what you want to listen to) I originally used RemoteBuddy which appears a bit more like a Windows app than one from Apple. I prefer Signal over Remote Buddy at this point, mainly because navigation is faster and smoother. Though RB is able to wirelessly control many applications on the main computer (eg iPhoto, Adobe Acrobat, Quicktime, NeoOffice) and now RB is able to manage the various Airport Express connections, which is not currenly available on Signal. I have a AE network for secondary speakers but don't have the need to switch them on or off remotely.
Why it's so great: Grabbing the super sleek, shiny and smooth Touch from your pocket or side table to repeat your favorite song that is nearly finished playing or to be reminded of the song title if you happen to be playing iTunes in Shuffle mode.
I agree it is likely that Apple with integrate the remote functionality into the touch devices in the near future.
