LogMeIn Solutions’ LogMeIn Ignition for iPad (and iPhone) allows you to remotely control your PC or MAC from your mobile device. You control the remote computer through a virtual keyboard/mouse and the application supports multiple monitors. The application allows you to do much more than control your computer as if you were sitting in front of it. LogMeIn Ignition allows you to transfer, view, and save files and folders between your iPad and computer. With the app installed on your mobile device, you can also remotely run programs from your computer. LogMeIn Ignition is also a great solution if you need to access a flash website with your iPad. You can browse the web on your remote computer and the image will be transferred to your iPad. Note that this solution is best used for viewing flash-enabled content on a website, as flash videos will be choppy and flash audio is non-existent.
Setting up LogMeIn is easy. To use the service, I created a free LogMeIn.com account, purchased the iPad app, and downloaded the free desktop version (available for MAC and PC) for all the computers I wanted to access. There is no limit to the number of remote computers you can access, allowing you to download the desktop software to all your school, work, or home computers.
While many of our readers are devoted Apple users who only buy Apple products, there are people like me who have a PC or Android phone. One of the selling points for me is that LogMeIn has an Android version. I carry an Android for work and have an iPhone for personal use. With a single application that supports multiple platforms, I don’t have to install multiple types of software to remotely access my iMAC at home or Dell workstation at the office. LogMeIn is also secure, tested, and was the first remote access service designed with the consumer in mind. It’s been around much longer than the iPad first as a computer-to-computer remote access program.
remote printing
LogMeIn Ignition supports AirPrint-enabled printers.
iPad limitations apply
LogMeIn Ignition can do many wonderful things, but the limitations of the iPad still apply. You have to be connected to the internet via 3G or WIFI for the App to work. Slow speeds of internet connections will make your work difficult. For example, LogMeIn Ignition will allow you to play a lot of video that isn’t supported on iPad, but depending on connection speeds, video may appear on your iPad at very few frames per second. The iPad’s screen resolution of 1024 by 600 pixels is much smaller than that of the vast majority of desktop computers. You will have to zoom in on some screens to see the text.
