Smartphone as Mouse, Keyboard & Remote: PC Control Guide
Alternative PC Control Methods: Beyond Mouse and Keyboard
Traditional input devices like a mouse and keyboard aren't always ideal for PC operation, particularly when managing a media center PC from a distance.
While game controllers offer one alternative, smartphones present a surprisingly effective solution for remote PC control.
Introducing Unified Remote
Unified Remote facilitates this functionality through a paired smartphone application and a corresponding PC server application.
The smartphone app establishes a connection with the server software installed on your PC.
Functionality and Capabilities
This connection enables the transmission of various inputs, effectively emulating a mouse, keyboard, and a range of other remote control commands.
Essentially, your smartphone transforms into a versatile remote control for your computer.
- Mouse Control: Navigate your desktop with touch-based precision.
- Keyboard Input: Enter text and commands remotely.
- Remote Control Features: Manage media playback and other applications.
Optimizing Home Theater PC Control: The Handheld Remote Solution
Home Theater PCs (HTPCs) offer a fantastic entertainment experience, but navigating them can be challenging. While options like controlling Windows with an Xbox or Steam controller exist, and phone-based remotes for YouTube and VLC are available, these solutions often lack comprehensive functionality.
The Need for a Universal Remote
A truly versatile solution involves leveraging your smartphone as a fully-featured wireless mouse and keyboard for your HTPC. This provides complete control over your desktop environment.
Introducing Unified Remote
Unified Remote stands out as an excellent application for achieving this. It effectively transforms your smartphone into a remote control for your computer.
The application is available in both free and paid versions. The free version provides a robust set of features, while the paid version unlocks additional specialized remote capabilities.
Key Features and Compatibility
With the free version of Unified Remote, you gain access to mouse, keyboard, and various media remote controls.
This application boasts broad compatibility, supporting installations on iPhone, Android, and even Windows Phone devices.
Furthermore, it can connect to computers running Windows, Mac, or Linux operating systems. This ensures compatibility regardless of your existing setup.
Connectivity Options
Unified Remote offers flexible connectivity options, allowing communication with your computer via either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This provides users with a choice based on their network configuration and preferences.
Ultimately, Unified Remote presents a powerful and adaptable solution for controlling your HTPC from the convenience of your smartphone.
Setting Up the Server on Your System
Initially, the Unified Remote server application must be installed on your computer, supporting Windows, macOS, or Linux operating systems. The necessary software can be obtained from the official Unified Remote website. Download the appropriate version and proceed with the installation procedure.
For Windows users, the installation includes an input driver, which is essential for Unified Remote to effectively manage your computer. This driver facilitates the remote control functionality.
Upon completion of the installation, the Unified Remote application should start automatically. If the application doesn't launch, it can be manually initiated from the Start menu.
The application will then reside in your system's notification area. Accessing its settings is possible by right-clicking the icon and selecting "Manager," though this step is not mandatory for basic operation.
The installation process on macOS and Linux is comparable. Simply adhere to the installation guidelines provided by Unified Remote.
Installing the Remote Application on Your Smartphone
The next step involves installing the Unified Remote application on your Android, iOS (iPhone), or Windows Phone device. Initiate the application on your smartphone and select the option labeled "I have installed the server."
The application will then automatically scan your local network for a computer running the server software. Ensure both your smartphone and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network for successful detection.
The Basic Input feature is particularly effective, enabling you to utilize your phone’s touchscreen as a trackpad for mouse cursor control. This offers a convenient alternative to using a traditional mouse when interacting with a media center PC.
Standard trackpad gestures, such as a single tap for clicking and a two-finger drag for vertical scrolling, are also fully supported. Within the Basic Input interface, tapping the keyboard icon located in the bottom-left corner will display your smartphone’s keyboard.
A range of additional remote control functionalities are also available. The File Manager remote facilitates file management on your computer, while the Keyboard remote provides access to a full keyboard layout—beneficial for utilizing keys absent from your smartphone’s keyboard, like the Windows key.
The Media remote proves highly useful, allowing for swift control of volume levels, muting, track skipping, stopping, and play/pause operations on your computer. Furthermore, the Power remote enables quick access to system functions like restart, shutdown, sleep, lock, log off, and hibernation.
Additional free remotes can be added by selecting the Plus button. Examples include a Start remote for launching applications from the Start menu, a Task Manager for process management, and a VLC remote for controlling VLC media player playback.
While many specialized remotes require a purchase, the core functionality remains freely available, supporting the app’s development and maintenance. Spending money is optional and only necessary for advanced features.
The process is remarkably straightforward. Although numerous alternative applications exist, few offer the same level of features and cross-platform compatibility. Unified Remote’s server supports all major desktop operating systems—Windows, macOS, and Linux—and its smartphone applications function on iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone.
Multiple devices can connect to the server simultaneously. Other users within your household can install the application on their respective smartphones and gain control of your computer, provided they are on the same network.
Image Credit: Andy Rennie on Flickr