Here’s another impressive entry in the ever increasing arsenal of apps and devices for iPhone and IPod Touch.

This one was also not designed as assistive technology for people with disabilities but appears to be useful as such. The My TV from Ryzmedia is a universal remote control that can take command of your set-top boxes and TVs and add some fun in for good measure.

Starting with the hardware which consists of a small infrared device which plugs into the headphone socket of your iPhone or iPod Touch and supplies the infrared carrier. That’s easy enough. You have to install the app first and then activate it. At that time the manufacturer will mail you the infrared module.

Next is the required app which is a free download and the brains of the operation. Once installed you can do more than control your entertainment systems. You can have some fun and turn watching television into a virtual event with friends. Here’s the fun stuff that comes with the app:

An Electronic Program Guide (EPG) localized for the local service provider
A top-10 list, the 10 currently most popular programs in your area
A sharing experience, by displaying what your Facebook friends are currently watching and allowing you to share with them your current viewing information

OK, how much is this going to cost you? Hold your breath, it’s a shocker. $9.99 or nine dollars and ninety-nine cents! Unreal that you can get all of that action for ten bucks.

I’m going to ramble on here for a bit on why I’m hot on iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad applications and modules being used as assistive technology. For one, the price. You can’t touch purposed assistive technology for anywhere near the price of the iStuff. Secondly, most purposed assistive technology does a fine job doing whatever it is designed to do. What historically has been missing are fun features. Features that may appear to be fluff but that in reality allow people with disabilities to access things traditionally reserved for the TABs.

Hey, you can have a disability and still be human. Yeah, it’s done everyday, and being human means you want to be able to have some fun and to get into whatever stream you consider to be main. Having a disability is not about being disabled! It’s about doing what you want to do and in my opinion the iStuff that we are seeing of late is a quantum leap in that direction. Universal design in technology is key in leveling the playing field and the iStuff is as close to that as we have yet come.

Check out the My TV in iTunes.
Check out the My TV website.