VNC Viewer

[shlongwoodian]

there didn't appear to be any "VNC" posts anywhere in here, so i fingered i'd fire one up. i just downloaded VNC Viewer for Android via Softpedia. this is a .apk file, so A) you must "Allow install of non-Market applications" via Settings > Applications > Unknown sources and then B) you browse to that site and download the file via your browser - it will install once it has finished downloading by clicking the Notification in your Taskbar.

i am not at home, so i'll let ya know when i get there. looks pretty straight-up and straight-forward.

the need for a remote desktop app isn't HUGE, but it is nice to be able to get to your PCs while at home and on the road. i've done Terminal Services/RDP and now, i just use logmein (it's free AND encrypted) from work, etc. that's from PC to PC though. being able to start the download of a new Dexter episode via my phone, over 3G, is just cool.

for the most part though, GMote is my "TVPC" remote control. i can browse to all of the movies on my "TVPC" and play, pause, skip, mute and adjust volume. in addition to that, GMote provides a "touchpad" feature that is just cool as hell.

i'll let ya know how VNC Viewer for Android goes!

[mjfefe]

I've installed it and just tried to connect to a system on my local network using wifi and havent had much luck.

I have tried connecting to a system with RealVNC installed on it and it will make the handshake but then will crash. I tried a system with UltraVNC installed on it and the same thing, except twice I did get it to go to a black screen and then crash once I brought up the menu. Lastly I tried to connect to a system with TightVNC on it, it connected and I got a display, I could change the view to 1:1 and zoom back out using the menu. When in 1:1 mode I could slide the screen around using the touch screen but I could not select anything, for instance tap an icon or the start menu to get it to open. :-(

If anyone finds anything that will work, please post.

[shlongwoodian]

and you can get in to these systems no problem via other devices? i'll be home shortly and i'll let ya know how it goes.

[mjfefe]

they all will connect to each other, I have only really used it from PC to PC.

I have seen an i#$%^ connect to the one with TightVNC.

Thanks

[shlongwoodian]

okay, works flawlessly as far as connecting goes. and a few things for the record, the only reason i use VNC on my TVPC is because i want to be able to see the screen while i'm controlling it via my laptop. if one just needs to connect to another Windows box, Remote Desktop is all ya need - why install software. i have a wireless gyration keyboard and mouse, but i just like doing things from my laptop sometimes.

ANYWAY, i of course want to be able to connect remotely via my G1. this little app was dead simple to connect with. if you're having troubles connecting to any host within your local network via ANY remote application, your issues are just lack of experience. it's dead simple to connect to any host name or address - just type it in, period. so again, if it's not connecting, just spend a little time on Google and Wiki and learn a little about networking, name/address resolution, routers/layer 3 devices, port forwarding (if you're coming in from the outside), etc. it really isn't too difficult and you'll gain a whole lot more out of the technology you own by doing so.

just wanted to say that so there was a clear understanding here that Android VNC installed and connected to a host running VNC Server instantly and without issue.

now on to the app itself. i can see my desktop and my screen is refreshing, reflecting my screensaver that is currently running. i have *zero control though. i have NO problems connecting from any PC - this is unique to Android VNC.

so, i was pretty hopeful as soon as i saw my desktop come up, i just don't have anything else beyond that. i am getting keyboard response, as i can hit the space bar on the G1 and my screensaver turns off. i just happened to have a web page up on my TV and when i hit the space bar, the page scrolls down.

if i leave the app open for an extended period of time, let's say, 3-5 minutes, android wants to force close the app. doing so just returns you to the app's main screen where you first entered the host's ip address.

so, i can get there, i just can't do anything. let me know if anyone else has installed this and knows what they're doing, so we don't waste everyone's time up here on "how do i remote in to a computer?" sort of stuff. this app seems promising. holler back.

[mjfefe]

just wanted to say that so there was a clear understanding here that Android VNC installed and connected to a host running VNC Server instantly and without issue.

now on to the app itself. i can see my desktop and my screen is refreshing, reflecting my screensaver that is currently running. i have *zero control though. i have NO problems connecting from any PC - this is unique to Android VNC.

That is exactly what I got when I connected to the system that had TightVNC installed on it. I want control though simply because I work in a place where it would be nice to connect to my computer when I am on the shop floor.

Nice first attempt, I would like to see control added to this and also different zoom options besides just 1:1 and full screen

[MrGibbage]

I haven't installed this app, but it does sound interesting. I would wonder what they use for a mouse. I know what have the trackball, but so far, i haven't seen any apps that moved a cursor around on a screen like a typical mouse. Are you seeing a mouse on the screen when you run the app? If not, how would you expect to intereact with a windows desktop (and please don't say "just the keyboard")?

[mjfefe]

I know what have the trackball, but so far, i haven't seen any apps that moved a cursor around on a screen like a typical mouse. Are you seeing a mouse on the screen when you run the app?

You can see the mouse cursor but it will not move with the trackball or touch. I could see using the trackball as the mouse or simply by touching the screen would move the mouse cursor, like a whiteboard does.

[shlongwoodian]

that's exactly what i was expecting - both trackball and touchscreen to control the cursor. what good is it to just SEE my PC! LOL

logmein just released an app for the iPhone, so i have a feeling that is coming soon. i'll use that 100% of the time when i'm not in my house. at home, it having VNC was just for giggles or that once-in-a-while thing you need to do. GMote has cut down the amount of times i need to connect to my TVPC or pull my wireless keyboard and mouse out.

all in time i suppose...

[mjfefe]

Btw, shlongwoodian, everyone should own a gyration mouse and keyboard. I love mine and the range is second to none. I love the hand motion movement on the mouse when there's nowhere to rest the mouse.