Microsoft launches iOS, Android apps for remote PC access

Microsoft launches iOS, Android apps for remote PC access
Microsoft has launched Microsoft Remote Desktop, a pair of apps compatible with every version of Windows that supports Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) for remote PC access.It's a little fiddly to set up; first, you have to make sure RDP is enabled on your desktop machine and then you have to enter your computer's IP address (which you can find by searching Google for "IP address") and log-in credentials.One you're in, though, you can access your entire desktop PC from your Android or iOS phone or tablet.This means that you can get into all your data and applications through a connection that uses RDP's secure Network Layer Authentication. Of course, it'll shrink everything right down, so it might not be the best thing to be viewing a 1980x1080p screen on an iPhone's 4-inch display, but if you have a tablet, it can be an indispensable way to access, say, your work machine from home or a conference room.Both apps have been optimised to support a multi-touch interface, support high-quality video and sound streaming and can connect to external monitors or projectors for presentations.Microsoft Remote Desktop is free and can be picked up from the iTunes Store and Google Play.