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Microsoft delivers RemoteApp client for ARM-based Windows RT devices

Users with ARM-based Windows RT devices can now try Microsoft's RemoteApp service to access remotely line-of-business apps.
Written by Mary Jo Foley, Senior Contributing Editor

Back in May at TechEd, Microsoft announced officially its RemoteApp service, aimed at allowing users to remotely access apps running on Azure.

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At that time, the Softies made client apps for the service available for Windows, Mac OS X and Android.

On June 23, Microsoft added another client to the list: One for ARM-based devices running Windows RT.

RemoteApp -- codenamed "Mohoro," which is currently in preview -- isn't a streaming service like other desktop-as-a-service offerings. Instead, it allows users to remotely access line-of-business apps, including Microsoft's Office desktop apps, on their mobile devices. The final version of the RemoteApp service will be available before the end of calendar 2014, officials have said.

The remote desktop app for Windows RT devices like the Surface RT and Surface 2 have been popular with users who need to run non-Metro-Style apps that are not available through the Windows Store.

Microsoft execs reiterated this on June 23 in a post on the Remote Desktop Services blog:

"The desktop apps you publish through the Azure RemoteApp service, including Office and additional LOB apps can now be accessed from Windows RT devices where they otherwise can’t be installed. While the RemoteApp programs will appear to run locally, they are actually running in Azure and you can interact with them from your Windows RT device, helping keep your corporate data safe."

Instructions for installing the new Windows RT client for RemoteApp are available in the June 23 blog post.

A RemoteApp client for Windows Phone 8.1 will be coming "later this summer," according to the blog post.

In other Azure-related news, Microsoft is making available free 90-day trials of Azure Active Directory Premium for up to 100 users. Azure Active Directory Premium is a key component of Microsoft's recently announced Enterprise Mobility Suite. For a short and sweet explanation of Azure Active Directory Premium, check out this Canadian IT Pro Connection blog post. 

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