PowerMate Linux Driver

This is a small Linux userspace driver for the Griffin PowerMate (USB version only). It requires PulseAudio to work (default in Ubuntu).

For an easy-to-use PPA, use: https://launchpad.net/~stefansundin/+archive/ubuntu/powermate

Disclaimer

PowerMate is a registered trademark of Griffin Technologies Inc. This software is not affiliated or endorsed by them.

This software is written by Stefan Sundin and is licensed under GPLv3.

Installation

Binaries are available in the releases section.

Clone Repository

$ git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/stefansundin/powermate-linux.git
$ cd powermate-linux

Setup udev rule

$ sudo cp 60-powermate.rules /etc/udev/rules.d/

After copying the file, unplug and plug the device back in.

Compile

Install requirements and then compile:

$ sudo apt-get install libpulse-dev libnotify-dev
$ make

Run

Simply run the executable with ./powermate.

The program should be able to handle the device being disconnected and connected without problems.

Make it run automatically on login somehow. If you are running a standard desktop environment then there is usually a "Startup Applications" preference. This is automatically installed if you use the PPA.

You can use ./powermate -d to daemonize the program without having to update the config file.

Configuration

By default, the program changes the volume when you turn the knob clockwise and counter clockwise, but you are able to customize the program to do anything via the configuration file.

Press the knob to mute. Hold down the knob for one second to toggle the LED. Operation is the same except the LED stays off.