Vectir is a software solution that allows you to control your computer via a smartphone or tablet. You need to know first that it is necessary to download and install not only the server application on your computer but also the client tool on your portable device. Various types of connections are allowed to link both pieces of software, which include P2P wireless, Bluetooth and infrared technologies. Unfortunately, though, the link cannot be made beyond the device’s range because Internet connections are not supported. It is good news that various types of devices can be used as remote control for your Windows operating system. These include Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry and Nokia.
The software is a user-friendly one, so that most people with minimum experience of using a computer or a cell phone may feel comfortable. The greatest difficulty may be derived from pairing the two devices, but, fortunately, both the server and the client apps are rather easy to use and most of the configuration is done automatically. Yet, you may need to install additional plugins for specific Windows applications, such as PowerPoint, Winamp and Windows Media Player.
The most important advantage of this product is that it lets you view your computer desktop on your phone’s screen, move the mouse cursor and perform various operations just as if you were in front of the PC. For instance, you can browse through your folders, turn up the system volume and even shut down the machine. It permits to control various streaming and media playing applications. Moreover, it can let you type remotely through a virtual keyboard. And, as if the features just mentioned were not enough, it also allows you to create remotes for practically any application you can think of.
As the bottom line, Vectir surely deserves your attention so it is great that it is free to try for 14 days. If you finally decide to purchase it, you will be glad to hear that the product has a very reasonable price.
v3.5 [Jun 27, 2014]
Vectir 3.5 featuring sub-remotes and new system power options is now available. The sub-remotes feature makes it possible to load remote profiles from within remote profiles. As quite a few users have been waiting for this feature for some time the next blog post will explain this feature in detail.
Before going into more detail about the new features in Vectir 3.5 it should be mentioned that this version has a new dependency on the Microsoft .net Framework version 4.0. This introduces a new minimum operating system requirement of Windows XP SP3. If anyone is running Windows XP SP2 or earlier turn off the Vectir server auto-update feature and keep using Vectir 3.4. The Vectir mobile apps will remain backward compatible with Vectir server 3.4. If you are running Windows XP SP3 or a newer version of Windows and don’t have version 4.0 of the Microsoft .net framework installed, the Vectir installer will start the .net 4.0 web installer for you.
The Windows plugin has been updated in Vectir 3.5 to include new power source, battery charge, and monitor power state data sources. A new system power remote profile has been built around these features and is now included as a default remote. For users upgrading from earlier versions this remote profile can be downloaded from the system power remote profile page and imported into the Vectir PC software. A new full screen mouse remote profile is also included in the latest release.
Another new update in Vectir 3.5 is the addition of a custom file browser open command. In previous versions the file browser in the media player remote profiles would open media files in the default Windows application for the file type. A new folder called ‘File browser custom open command’ has been added to the ‘Menu Commands’ folder of remote menus. If a custom file browser open command is added to this folder, the file browser will offload the file open request to the custom command. The default remote profiles have been updated to add a custom file browser open command where necessary. For example, the VLC remote profile now includes the VLC ‘File Browser Play’ command in this folder. This also solves the problem of multiple VLC instances opening when launching media files associated with VLC.
In addition to the VLC file browser open command mentioned above, the VLC remote profile has also been updated to include a sub-remote button for opening the system remote profile. This gives quick access to arrow keys or the mouse when navigating movie menus in VLC. Updated VLC remote profiles are available on the VLC remote profiles download page.
The remote profile designer has been updated in Vectir 3.5 to give more options for how text is rendered on button controls. A font picker dialog has been added to allow users to choose the button font. Horizontal text alignment and offset properties have been added to give more control over where text is rendered on button controls. Some simple text effect options have also been added. The new system power remote control gives a good example of how these properties are used.
Version 3.5 of the Vectir Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry 10 apps is required for the sub-remotes feature. This version should already be available in the Android and Windows Phone stores. It will be available for BlackBerry 10 as soon as it has passed certification.
Summary of updates in Vectir 3.5:
Sub remote support added (load remotes from within remotes)
Power source, battery charge, and monitor power state data sources added to Windows plugin
New text rendering options added to remote profile button control
Custom file browser open commands
System power remote profile added
Full screen mouse remote profile added
VLC remote profiles updated to include System sub remote
Profile rendering memory usage reduced
New dependency on .net 4.0. Installer will start .net 4.0 install if required.
Minor bug fixes
Excellent tool for remotely controlling other computers. It allows you to establish a secure connection to another computer and view programs in text mode
