If you have never used Remote Desktop software, it will change the way you think about working from locations far from a home or office workstation. For the past few years, I’ve used Windows’ Remote Desktop client on both a Mac or a PC through a VPN (virtual private network) to work from a distant place, print a document for someone at the office, or save the day by locating a missing file and email it to myself when I’m on-site.
Now the option of using the iPhone for remote desktop access presents itself, and I thought I might completely freak out: now it should be possible to do the same tasks on-the-go without having to find a wifi hotspot! I’ve been using RDM+ Remote Access for over a month on my iPhone and I have to say: this little gem might never leave my device.
While on the road, I can access multiple stations (laptop, home office, work, etc.) from the same RDM+ iPhone app as long as each station has installed and registered the free RDM+ desktop software. First, download the desktop application; next install the app for your mobile device; lastly, connect to the remote computer by entering the computer number, account name and the password into the mobile app. Multiple mobile devices are also supported and the installation is relatively pain-free – although I encountered a hang during the installation on my home office workstation that required a restart. As suggested, I was using the administrator account for Windows, but the video hook driver didn’t install correctly the first time.
I installed the desktop client on several stations – a MacBookPro, two WinXP workstations at my office, and my home office PC. It served me well to consult the desktop installation instructions and documentation that comes with both clients, as well as looking at the “Getting Started” guides for all operating systems.
How does the app work without a VPN, and through a firewall? According to their documentation, “RDM+ Desktop connects to RDM+ Online Service as usual Web browser (using HTTP requests through port 80) and it doesn’t require direct access to the computer or other special router settings. But if the proxy server is used in your local network, you should specify proxy settings.”
Once active, the display on the iPhone is as you might expect: tiny… tiny… But the usual pinch-zoom and rotation work well. Because of the size, RDM+ has two settings for using the mouse on the remote computer – Direct Manipulation (your finger directs the mouse cursor) and Alternative mode (where the mouse is stationery and the desktop is moved). Surprisingly, I found I preferred the default Direct Manipulation set to “off” and moving the desktop around beneath the mouse. As odd as this sounds, it works quite well and allows you to see where the mouse cursor is in relationship to the desktop. Otherwise, your finger covers more real estate that you might like – even in the often used landscape mode.
RDM+ controlling Windows Live Writer on a PC
Tapping the screen activates a single left mouse click, and a familiar two finger tap is a right click. Alternately, tapping and holding one the touchscreen activates a menu of mouse clicks (ex. single, double, right, or drag-n-drop). Also at your disposal are a keyboard and the corresponding common shortcuts (such as Ctrl-Alt-Delete or Ctrl-V for “copy”).
RDM+ controlling a Mac
This app was invaluable to me when I was on a business trip and my wife called me, struggling with transferring pictures from a digital camera to our home PC. Instead of trying to walk her through the steps and hoping I correctly stated all the necessary steps, I saved our bantering by asking her to sit back while I used RDM+ to connect, look in the system tray to see if it was recognized, and started the software that would discover the camera. Meanwhile she watched the steps play out on screen (a big difference from VPN which locks out a local user. If I were to use RDM+ to access my workstation at the office, I would turn the monitor off so it doesn’t display the actions). I also use RDM+ when OrbLive seems to be disconnecting from my home PC.
If I were to change anything about the software, it would be to resize and/or eliminate a few of the translucent buttons: why does the “Back” button have to be the same size as the keyboard, shortcuts, keys, and zoom out? Its only function is to take you back to the list of remote computers. Why is there a scroll button when I use Alternate Mode? If I’m moving the desktop around in relation to the mouse cursor, it’s a button that serves no purpose.
I’m told that a future version of RDM+ will include file transfer, and I eagerly await to see how that might play out in my wireless world. What about you? Which Remote Desktop client on your iPhone is a favorite?
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RDM+ Remote Desktop is available for $19.99 on the App Store.
RDM+ Remote Desktop was provided by the Shape Services for review on Just Another iPhone Blog. For further information regarding our site’s review policies, please see the “About” page.
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Great review. I use RDM+ and find it to be an excellent tool to use in the field. You might also want to check out their web access which allows you to control any of your computers using a web browser. I did a full review of this app as well as their web client on AppShouter.com. You'll find my review at ” target=”_blank”> 2 David January 20, 2010 at 9:58 am
I'm using Win Admin. That's a great tool. It doesn't require any setup on the server except enabling remote access to it. I think it's cheaper too.
Any reason to buy RDM+ ?
I like WinAdmin a lot too. It uses standard MS terminal services (RDP) to connect – so you do need to configure firewalls and similar to allow that traffic.
I believe that Win Admin won't work with XP Home either.
XP Home does not provide Remote Desktop connection capabilities – so the lack of support for it in WinAdmin is not the app's issue, it's an XP Home limitation.
So did you have issues with very low resolution images, icons etc? In my few tries with remote desktop software I have been pleased with the performance, but a little bit reality checked over some of the resolution issues I faced.
The resolution on the iPhone is better than I anticipated. I can zoom in & out and the image is clear enough so I could type text if I were so inclined.
This is very difficult to catch. By that, I mean the speed of technology! Just yesterday, I was learning for remote pc access software is, and today, theres one for apple iphone. But it is great to know! Enjoyed the read.
You're finding out that technologies and ideas are more rapidly merging! It's exciting and frightening at the same time! Imagine the world that the young digital-learner generation will be living in.
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