Video: Controlling PC and Mac with LogMeIn Using a Galaxy Tab

By | January 12, 2011, 10:39am PST

Summary: The Android version of LogMeIn Ignition has been optimized for use on larger screen tablets, and in this video I demonstrate using the 7-inch Galaxy Tab to run a Mac and a PC solely by touch.

LogMeIn Ignition is a remote control app for several platforms that allows taking control of remote systems. Using a remote system with LogMeIn is equivalent to sitting in front of the computer, no matter where in the world it is located. The Android version of LogMeIn Ignition has been optimized for use on larger screen tablets, and in this video I demonstrate using the 7-inch Galaxy Tab to run a Mac and a PC solely by touch.

The demonstration shows LogMeIn used to control a dual-monitor Mac system, with the ability to switch between screens at will. Since LogMeIn is a favorite with IT tech support staff who use it to remotely troubleshoot systems, the video shows it used to perform a malware scan and Windows Update remotely.

LogMeIn Ignition is not the cheapest app in the Android Market at $29.99, but those who need it may find that a small price to pay for the utility it delivers. It works well on small smartphones, and superbly on tablets like the Galaxy Tab.

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James Kendrick has been using mobile devices since they weighed 30 pounds, and has been sharing his insights on mobile technology for almost that long.

Disclosure

James Kendrick

James Kendrick has no affiliations or relationships that need to be disclosed.

Biography

James Kendrick

James Kendrick has been using mobile devices since they weighed 30 pounds, and has been sharing his insights on mobile technology for almost that long. Prior to joining ZDNet, James was the Founding Editor of jkOnTheRun, a CNET Top 100 Tech Blog that was acquired by GigaOM in 2008 and is now part of that prestigious tech network. James' writing has appeared in many print publications: Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine, Information Week and Laptop Magazine to name a few. James' coverage of the mobile technology sector has regularly appeared in the New York Times, Salon.com and CNN/ Fortune online. Not just a writer, James has filmed numerous video reviews and how-tos that have garnered well over a million viewers. He has appeared on local news segments and been interviewed by the Associated Press on mobile technology topics. Additionally, James has been podcasting about mobile technology for years.

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Contributr
RE: Video: Controlling PC and Mac with LogMeIn Using a Galaxy Tab
JamesKendrick 14th Jan 2011
@GenghisKhent I use the paid LMI version on Android, and the free version on the desktop.
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Wow
samalie 12th Jan 2011
Is this blog post a paid advertisement for the Tab, LogMeIn, or both?
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Contributr
@samalie Neither. It's showing how LogMeIn, which I bought for my Galaxy Tab that I also bought runs. I have been asked by numerous people if LMI is good enough for remote support. This is the answer to that question.
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If JK makes a recommendation, I take it seriously.
Dietrich T. Schmitz, ~ Your Linux Advocate 12th Jan 2011
@JamesKendrick
And yes, I use logmein on my Samsung Galaxy S.
It works as advertised.

Thanks for the good write-up James.
D
@JamesKendrick Sorry...I must just becomming the bastard tech. I've used LMI on my PC, and iOS devices for a long time now...and my first reaction was "DUH, of course it all works on Android too"

Guess I've just read far too many so-called "news articles" around CES that really do seem like nothing more than a paid ad. My apologies.
@samalie Next week he's gonna share a video of him switching on the TV he bought...

Has it really dumbed down this far?
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Thanks for this LogMeIn app info. I was unaware of this app.
I do have one question. If a video is selected to play on the host computer, will the tablet speakers play the audio track of the video playing on the host system?
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Contributr
@kenosha7777 No, I think they play on the remote computer only, although LMI told me they were working on that.
James, thanks for the video. I'm a bit confused by the various LMI options for my free tech support helping friends and family (as opposed to paid business tech support). Which edition do you have for helping your "Aunt Sally"? And which edition does she have? Thanks.
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Contributr
@GenghisKhent I use the paid LMI version on Android, and the free version on the desktop.

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