Non-Apple iPhone Keynote controllers
One of the coolest features of the just announced Keynote '09 is the corresponding $0.99 iPhone / iPod touch controller application (iTunes link) which allows you to advance slides, see your notes, and even see your next slide on your mobile device's screen so long as it's connected to the same wifi network. Once I had a look at it, however, I was surprised to discover that there were already several similar applications available in the iTunes store which work with Keynote '08 and even have quite a few more functions.I haven't had a chance to test them all, but there are at least four applications out there including (all iTunes links): Pointer Remote (which also works with PowerPoint) ($0.99), jfControl ($3.99), AirMote ($4.99), and Stage Hand ($7.99). Three of the four require installing a small helper app on your Mac which then interfaces with the iPhone app (AirMote is the exception since it uses the Mac's built-in VNC protocols). Of these, Stage Hand seems to have the most features, including some nifty ones like advancing directly to a particular slide, on-device timers, a highlighter, and a blackout/whiteout function. (Stage Hand presently has limited Keynote '09 compatibility, but they say they're working on it.)
Let us know in the comments what your favorite iPhone / iPod touch based Keynote remote control is.
Share
Categories
One of the coolest features of the just announced Keynote '09 is the corresponding $0.99 iPhone / iPod touch controller application (iTunes...
Add a Comment
Keynote Remote looks pretty useful, but I'm cheap and don't have the iPhone or Touch, so I just use darwiinRemote to connect my Nintendo Wiimote and use that as a bluetooth clicker. It's a bit big, and a bit geeky, but that, plus using Keynote by itself, wows the crowd every time.
January 11 2009 at 10:07 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThanks for all your comments, I'll stick with the remote.
January 10 2009 at 1:26 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyiTap is the best by far.
It is your trackpad in your hand. Not only is it great for keynote and PowerPoint, but its great for using expose or itunes or just about anything.
Plus the connection is easy. More simple than any app I have used.
I used to use the free version of Snatch. It's just a trackpad with a mouse button to click thru your slides remotely. It's nice because you can turn down the screen brightness really dark, which is good in a dark room when you are holding it in your hand.
I then bought the Stage Hand app, because it's incredible with its spotlight feature. Just great.
The iPhone Keynote remote looks fine, but it's between Snatch and StageHand, and is priced accordingly.
Umm.. what about:
- Touchpad Elite
- Mocha VNC
- Jaadu VNC
- iTap
- Wifi Touchpad
...
All of these can be used to control Keynote and a whole lot more. Personally I like the Jaadu VNC / Touchpad Elite interface the best (since it has gestures for next/previous AND you can slide the mouse around easily too), but YMMV.
Speaking of which, anyone notice that Phil did not use an iPhone to control his keynote? Seems like a missed opportunity for product placement :(
January 09 2009 at 10:54 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAlternatively, if you're in line of sight of whatever your presenting with, the Apple remote works just fine for me...? Then you're all set to have notes to read from on the iPhone as well =)
January 09 2009 at 7:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI' ve tried them all and believe Pointer Remote is the best!!!
Apple's new app costs a lot for nothing!
I expected more from apple!!! There is no remote pointer, no highlighter, sliding after few scrolls gets tedious (not a single button press) and the transitions/effects are not shown on the iphone.
As I teach using presentations everyday, I 'd like to see more!!!
For example a full keynote viewer for the iphone, with tv-out support, so that I don't have to carry my macbook all time and no need exporting my presentations to .mov files with low resolutions.
I don't like exporting to images, as I lose the transitions and the effects!!! My lessons are given on a tv through apple universal dock, component cable and apple remote!
Please apple, full keynote viewer!!!
So, if I use airport to create a wireless network without even being plugged into ethernet, can I still use the Official Keynote controller?
January 09 2009 at 5:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyYou CAN create your own wireless network from your Macbook or MBP without needing any Internet connection - and still use controllers- just did it today!
January 10 2009 at 5:52 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAlmost every review on the AppStore for Keynote Remote has the same complaint..."Keynote Remote is not good solution because there isn't a WiFi network in many locations."
However, every Mac has the ability to create it's own WiFi network.
Simply select "Create Network..." from the Airport menu.
No need to carry an Airport Express and it can even be password protected.
Did all that. iPhone with app running finds the MacBook but not KeyNote :-(
I'd like to use it because of the next slide preview functionality but looks like a case of too bad, Apple.
Hot Apps on TUAW
Deals of the Day
more deals- Refurb Apple MacBook Air Laptops: 12" 64GB SSD for $699 + free shipping
- JVC Motion Sensing Clock Radio with Dual iPod Docks for $55 + free shipping
- Apple iPhone Headset with Mic for $4 + $2 s&h
- miFrame Picture Frame Dock for iPad for $64 + $8 s&h
- Refurb Apple iPod nano 8GB MP3 Player for $99 + free shipping, 16GB for $119
- Hannspree Apple-Shaped 28" 1080p LCD HDTV for $270 + free shipping
Software Updates
more updates- EFI Firmware Update brings Lion Internet Recovery to 2010-model Macs
- OS X Lion 10.7.3 released with Safari 5.1.3, Wi-Fi bug fix
- Aperture updated to 3.2.2, addresses Photo Stream issue
- Apple updates Keynote to address Lion issues
- Google Search app gets new look on iPad
- Apple releases Apple TV Software Update 4.4.3



21 Comments