Timex iControl Watch Controls iPods

Timex's new iControl Ironman watch offers wireless iPod control, along with stopwatch, lap timer, and training logs.

Timex, the famous maker of “personal chronographs,” has announced its new iControl sports watch, a new variation on its line of Ironman watches with a twist: it offers wireless control of iPods, and even iPhones (when they’re switched into Airplane mode).

“The days of fumbling for your iPod in mid-stride are over,” said Heberto Calves, Timex’s VP of Sports Marketing, in a release. “iControl offers cutting edge technology and contemporary design, in addition to the functional quality and durability people have come to expect from Timex.”

Although Timex doesn’t actually say how the wireless iPod control works, pre-release demonstrations made use of a proprietary wireless iPod attachment. Timex also doesn’t say which iPod models are supported, but we’re guessing the iPod shuffles aren’t. Nevertheless, Timex claims the iControl watches offer play/pause functionality, along with volume controls and the ability to skip back and forth between tracks. The watch does not apparently display track information or other data from the iPod: for that, users would apparently still need to look at their iPod screens.

The iControl also offers the usual run of water-resistant Timex Ironman watch features, including a 50-lap memory recall chronograph, three customizable alarms, a multi-mode countdown timer, two interval timers, a training log, an Indiglo night light.

Timex plans to offer the watches both via it’s own Web site and via Apple.com; the iControl watches will be available in grey, black, green, orange, blue, and pink for $125.