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OF ALL THE things you can do with your smartphone, using it to control your computer from afar might not seem like the most useful.
Yet it can be handy for a number of reasons. If you wanted to watch a video from afar, or your computer is connected to a TV or projector, it saves you from having to get up to adjust or change anything on screen.
Chances are you can think of a few other uses for it but it’s handy if you need to improvise somewhat.
So what’s out there?
One of the best ones is Remote Mouse (iOS, Android and Windows Phone) which can be downloaded for free but also has a number of pro features should you require them.
As well as acting like a standard mouse, it’s packed with a number of features like keyboards, shortcuts like Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and a multimedia panel for listening to music or watching videos from afar.
It’s certainly one of the more comprehensive examples out there and the free version will give you a good taster of what to expect.
There are others like Mobile Mouse, which is an iOS and Android release, but offers similar functionality like motion controls (use your phone’s gyroscope to move your mouse), managing files remotely, and shutdown or put your computer to sleep.
Both require you to download an app and an accompanying desktop app before you can start but that only takes a few minutes to set up.
And that’s before you even go into the more specific smartphone remotes. For example, YouTube even has its own remote function called Pair, which allows you to control your computer or TV using your phone. Handy if you want to binge watch but not get off the couch.
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Another tip for “remote control” is to use the (completely free) TeamViewer app(iOS, android). Sync it with your PC and it works a treat. It can even “wake” your PC on sleep/hibernate mode.
for “non commercial use only”
Cool.
Appreciate these articles.
Good tips, sound advice, free gratis.
Cheers.
Easier just to get a wireless keyboard and mouse, control everything on your comp from the couch, it`s the way i`ve been doing it for years, a lot easier to press a keyboard than to work keys on a mobile phone
Been using phone and iPad to control computer for last few years, so much so that the only time I see it is when i need to put a cd/DVD in the tray to burn.
mWol to turn on computer (wake on lan) jumiGamer for mouse snd keyboard, and various other apps to control what ever else. And because i use a smart TV as my computer monitor, yes you guessed it, i have an app for that too! So as long as i’m connected to the home network i can control everything.
I’ve been using team viewer for a bit since logmein stopped being free. I use peel for my tv since the remote broke a while back and imseye for cctv via my phone.
hardly remotly if you are sitting in front of it. if you are away from home try ‘Teamviewer’. you can also with this program play the sound so if away you can log in and watch any movies and tv that you may have downloaded. it gives full control over your pc and if used for ‘personal use’ it’s free.
All depends on what your trying to achieve at the time. Control from the other side of a room can be as useful as the other side of the world.
*You’re
Please give us an edit function soon guys!!
I’ve used Spashtop on my Nexus for the last 3 years no problems. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.splashtop.remote.pad.v2
Remote HD works great for my mac & iphone!!
No mention of Chrome Remote Desktop? Wouldn’t use anything else.
WiFi mouse is also good
Rowmote Pro is excellent for controlling Macs from iOS and Android devices. It has specific sets of controls for lots of the most popular programs. Great for watching Netflix, YouTube, a TV Tuner device (such as the super EyeTV), Spotify, iTunes, making presentations etc.
Most useful thing I’ve done with it so far is remotely controlling music from the back of a function room during a pre-event sound check and then controlling slides and music on stage while hosting the event.
Easier just to get a wireless keyboard and mouse, control everything on your comp from the couch, it`s the way i`ve been doing it for years, a lot easier to press a keyboard than to work keys on a mobile phone.
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