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Apple Remote Desktop 3.3 now available

by Michael Jones Aug 21st 2009 at 10:15AM

Apple has released version 3.3 of its remote administration tool, Apple Remote Desktop (ARD). The update is available both via Software Update, and from the Apple website.

According to the release notes, the update comes with a number of improvements, including the long-desired ability to send function keys and system shortcuts (Force Quit, cmd-Tab for application switching, cmd-shift-Q to log out) to the remote Mac; previously those commands would execute on the administrator's machine, which could cause undesired behavior. Also included are support for wide-area Bonjour connections and improved performance when using a shared screen.

If you're just starting out with ARD, be sure to check out some of the great tutorials Apple has posted online. From getting set up, to providing remote assistance to users, to automating routine tasks; as Apple might say, "there's a tutorial for that."

Thanks to TUAW reader Jim for giving us the heads up!



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Apple has released version 3.3 of its remote administration tool, Apple Remote Desktop (ARD). The update is available both via Software...
 

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ch3m1st

I've been using ARD for the past month or so trying to manage 40+ systems. But i have yet been able to successfully deliver an install package to multiple machines simultaneously. Anything over one freezes up... hope that is fixed with 3.3

August 22 2009 at 11:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rob Cavanagh

For anyone not wanting the new functionality of sending system commands, you can turn it off with:
defaults write com.apple.RemoteDesktop DoNotSendSystemKeys -bool YES

August 21 2009 at 4:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MikeWard1701

Does Apples' Remote Destop allow connecting to Windows machines? Or will I need a third party app to remote manage Windows machines?

August 21 2009 at 3:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
holo

Anyone else getting language not available when trying to view the release notes?

August 21 2009 at 3:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ryan Trevisol

"Undesired behavior" is a polite way to say "sailor-like strings of profanity".

August 21 2009 at 12:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Greenie

And just like that, we have 3.3.1 available.

August 21 2009 at 12:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Greenie's comment
Greenie

Should clarify, 3.3.1 is the client.

August 21 2009 at 12:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
edddeduck

Just thought I would point out although the force quit shortcut looks new the other examples like Apple + Tab have worked in older versions.

When in windowed mode global shortcuts like logout and apple + tab are focused on your OS. If you go full screen they focus on the displayed remote OS. Which is what I would expect.

Don't know if the have altered the behavior but thought I would point out log out and Apple + tab work fine in my 3.2 version and I even think they worked fine in 3.0.

August 21 2009 at 10:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to edddeduck's comment
TuxToaster

Yeah, Mike Rose and I discussed that this morning. It seems they may have changed it in some form though, as those keystrokes are exactly what they listed in the release notes.

I agree though, I would expect them to work locally in a window and remotely in a full screen, and by their wording, it sounds like they may have made them send remotely on both, or they may have just added Force Quit and not changed the others.

At least the release notes for ARD are detailed, as opposed to other releases which just say "bug fixes" (*cough*iPhone OS Updates*cough) :-)

August 21 2009 at 11:03 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ben

Don't forget, erm, Snow Leopard compatibility. Not listed, but... it works now.

So I hear.

August 21 2009 at 10:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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