05 Jun Become an IT Hero With These Remote Support iPad Apps
For the on the go IT masters among you, being able to provide remote desktop support anywhere at anytime is a handy thing. Being able to do this from your iPad would not only make it super easy for you, but it would also make you a hero in the eyes of end-users.
There’s an overwhelming amount of apps out there designed to allow for remote desktop access from mobile devices. With this in mind, we’ve sorted through the mountain of apps to bring you just 5 to get you started.
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TeamViewer For Remote Control
To build on their Desktop version, TeamViewer have developed a version for both Android tablets and the iPad. The app is available for free for non-commercial uses i.e. just for personal computers and friends and family, however the Pro version for both operating systems is a paid version, which allows access to an unlimited number of computers without needing to buy additional licenses.
Features
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- Supports access to Windows and Linux PC’s and Macs.
- Multi-touch gesture support for: left click, right click, drag and drop, scroll wheel, zoom
- Complete keyboard control (including special keys, such as Ctrl, Alt, Windows)
- Meets 256-bit AES session encoding and 1024-bit RSA Key Exchange security
- Access computers behind firewalls and proxy servers
- Automatic quality adjustment
- Remotely reboot computers
- Overview of computers that are online
- Available for Android 1.6 and higher
- Can remotely access unattended computers
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LogMeIn Ignition
Like TeamViewer, LogMeIn was initially a desktop app, which has been redesigned for use on tablets and smartphones. This app comes in both a free version and a paid, ‘Pro’ version for iOS.
The free version has all the basic features you need for remote desktop such as:
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- Supports Windows PC’s and Macs
- Can access and edit files stored on your PC/Mac using your tablet
- Save files directly on your iPad/iPhone so you can work with them offline. Plus, move and copy files and folders between your computers and your devices.
- Remotely run any application on your computer from your iPad
- Remotely start a sleeping computer
- Uses 256-bit SSL encryption for all connections, from user account settings to authentication
- HD video and sounds streaming
- My Cloud Bank links LogMeIn app with a variety of cloud services.
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The Pro Version contains all of the free features in addition to:
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- Print a file on your remote computer to a local printer
- Share your desktop with others
- Remote Management: set command prompts, view events and control your computers remotely using computer management, as well as start and stop services on one or many computers.
- Drag and drop file transfer
- File sync
- Meeting tools
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VMware View Client
This iPad app from VMware works in conjunction with VMware View, which moves applications into the cloud and deliveres them as a managed service. The app is free to download (though you will need to purchase VMware view), and enables access to a remote Windows based VMware View virtual desktop via your tablet.
The VMware View iPad app gives you the features of VMware View, plus the following, which optimises it for the iPad:
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- Supports PCoIP display protocol
- Supports native iPad gestures
- Quick access to desktop through recent desktop list
- Use an external monitor or AirPlay in iOS 5 and the iPad display turns into a trackpad / keyboard while the external screen shows your View desktop
- Supports both bluetooth and dock connected keyboards
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GoToAssist for iPad
Developed by Citrix Systems, the GoToAssist app for the iPad is free to download. The only catch is, you need to have a GoToAssist remote support subscription, as the iPad app was created as an extension of the desktop version.
Features:
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- On-demand remote support (unlimited use from iPad)
- Start a remote session directly from the iPad
- Supports both PC’s and Macs
- Multi-touch display
- Full keyboard functionality (including special keys Alt, Ctrl and Tab)
- Works with existing firewalls, no special configuration required
- 128-bit AES encryption, dual passwords and end-to-end user authentication
- Connects over both 3G and Wi-Fi
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iTap RDP
iTap RDP is a fully featured remote desktop iPad app that supports Leostream Connection Broker, Network level authentication, copy/paste, less bandwidth, desktops up to 4096×2048 pixels, full keyboard support, and logging into the console session of Windows servers. It supports a range of Windows products such as:
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- Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate
- Windows Vista Business, Ultimate and Enterprise
- Windows XP Professional
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Features:
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- NLA and FIPS compliant security protocols
- Contains built-in keyboard
- Native resolution support on iPad and iPhone 4(S)
- Copy and Paste support (text only)
- Support for external Video connectors (Full HD with iPad 2 and HDMI)
- Sound support. Stream sound from Windows directly to your phone
- Built-in support wizard
- Automatic bandwidth reduction on 3G networks
- Automatic reconnect without needing to enter passwords
- Console sessions (Windows Terminal Server only)
- Remote Program support (start programs automatically on login)
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