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VMware brings virtual machines to iPad

by Dana Franklin Mar 9th 2011 at 2:30PM

VMware View Client for iPad, Windows running on iPad

Earlier today, VMware, Inc. announced the availability of VMware View Client for iPad on Apple's App Store. The free app enables enterprise and government users to securely access their virtual desktops, applications and data from anywhere with wireless internet access.

Unlike VNC clients that allow iPad users to remotely control a personal computer, VMware's solution displays the desktop of a virtual machine hosted online. VMware View Client for iPad uses a combination of on-screen input devices and multi-touch gestures to offer precise, intuitive controls for interacting with a PC interface on the iPad. The app fully supports Wi-Fi or 3G connections.

VMware View allows IT departments to centrally host virtual machines that can be accessed from a variety of computing devices. VMware's press release cites Children's Hospital Central California's use of VMware View as an example. "Recently, the Hospital has deployed VMware View to provide secure, 'Follow-me Desktops,' that move from room-to-room with clinicians and staff as they treat their patients."

VMware View Client for iPad simply and securely connects users to their virtual machines centrally hosted with the VMware View solution. The iPad app is offered as a free companion to VMware's enterprise-class virtual computing platform.

"Now all of us iPad aficionados can use our iPads to access our desktops and get an awesome user experience without giving IT a heart attack about security," says VMware's official blog.

VMware View Client for iPad isn't the only method for connecting iPad users to their centrally hosted virtual machines. Citrix offers a competing solution called Citrix Receiver. Citrix's iPad app takes a slightly different approach to interacting with a virtual machine. Rather than displaying on-screen controls for manipulating a point-and-click desktop interface, Citrix Receiver presents users with "iPad-optimized" versions of popular desktop applications like PowerPoint and Excel.

VMware highlights some of VMware View Client for iPad's key features in its press release. The app offers users a "responsive and flexible" experience provided by the PC-over-IP (PCoIP) display protocol; an intuitive interface driven by multi-touch gestures and an onscreen track pad for precision control; powerful security with support for VMware View Security Server; the ability to quickly reconnect with recently used virtual desktops; and support for external keyboards and the iPad VGA connector.

VMware offers a brief demonstration of VMware View Client for iPad in this video.



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Earlier today, VMware, Inc. announced the availability of VMware View Client for iPad on Apple's App Store. The free app enables...
 

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12 Comments

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Patrick Matton

I illustrated my battle and victory in obtaining the iPad 2:
http://testofmanhood.com/editorial/ipad-2-its-effect-on-the-male-consumer

love it.

March 14 2011 at 1:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
richharris1

The problem with all these remote desktop solutions is rich media, it's OK for all us techies but users get frustrated having to switch between local and remote sessions to access rich media.

March 10 2011 at 8:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brian Erdelyi

Regardless of the technology (VNC, RDP, Citrix, VMware or others), I would love to be able to use my iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad as a thin client. this way I could have a monitor, keyboard, mouse and docking station wherever I want to do work. Plug in my iOS device and get to work.

Only problem, there is no mouse support :( Otherwise, I think the iOS device could be used to get any work done. I love the touch interface, but sometimes a mouse is still preferred for the user experience.

March 09 2011 at 7:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kiltbear64

If you have a standard windows shop, or even if you make your desktop available to the internet, iTap RDC (and iTap VNC) are great tools, IMO. The have great zoom in and out capabilities, and an interesting way of dealing with mousing. Takes a little getting used to, but it's affective without needing to put more stuff on your screen covering the work you are trying to do.

Though, the pop-up pad IS kinda nice in this demo.

March 09 2011 at 5:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to kiltbear64's comment
johnmc

For those of us who already have this infrastructure in place, it makes a lot more sense.

March 10 2011 at 1:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
johnmc

Oops - replied to the wrong comment.

March 10 2011 at 1:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tech Introvert

Great, so it's a simple 3-step process:

1) Download this slick iPad app for FREE!
2) Convince your IT dept to invest many thousands of dollars, manpower hours, etc. to deploy and manage a corporate VMware vSphere infrastructure.
3) Enjoy the awesome.

I think VPN + VNC might be an easier sell...

March 09 2011 at 3:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Tech Introvert's comment
johnmc

For those of us who already have this infrastructure in place, it makes a lot more sense.

March 10 2011 at 1:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joshua

Just a clarification about Citrix Receiver for iOS - while it's true you can access your published apps individually, you can also access your desktop directly (XenApp and XenDesktop, repspectively).

March 09 2011 at 3:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
QwertyJuan

https://204.51.83.100/ - even more interesting....

March 09 2011 at 3:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
QwertyJuan

It's just .83, not .683..... I am pinging it now...

March 09 2011 at 2:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mike

I made this comment but on second thought, it's probably not a good idea to post this in case they do remove it from the video. Please delete my previous comment.

March 09 2011 at 2:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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