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Sunday, June 5, 2011

Anything PC can do, I(pad) can do better..

Okay, so the title may be a stretch, but I can't help hearing tune from "Annie Get Your Gun" playing in my head.

I just installed an app for the Ipad that really expands the capabilities of the Ipad. The Splashtop application was $2.99 for the ipad, and free to download on your PC, Mac or laptop. Once installed and running, with your laptop or PC on, plus an internet connection, you can make your Ipad actually operate as if it were your PC. You can open files, make changes, save, create new documents in any program that you have on your PC right from your Ipad, as if you were on your PC. As their webpage says (http://www.splashtop.com), "With Splashtop® Remote Desktop, you can fully access and control your PC in any way imaginable."

Accessing the program actually makes your PC desktop screen appear on your Ipad, and you just go from there. You can work in any of your genealogy programs, like Legacy, RootsMagic, PAF, etc. You can open and work in Word, Excel, and even play games you have on your PC - It will even run Flash programs (yep, that means Facebook games like Farm Town, etc!) Heck, you can even run Second Life on your Ipad using this.

If you want to transfer files from your PC to your Ipad, using Splashtop in association with your Dropbox is the way to go. Open Splashtop to access your PC. Put the files you want to transfer into your PC Dropbox. Open Dropbox on your Ipad, open the file you want, then save it to your Ipad. Voila! No cables, no syncing.
It's really easy to use, and really extends the limitations of the Ipad.

6 comments:

Jenna said...

Tami,

Have you tried watching a Rootsweb or Legacy webinar through the app? If you can do that, then it would be worth the download to me.

Jenna

relatively curious said...

Jenna - I've watched YouTube videos, and other streaming things... After playing with it, I can't imagine why it wouldn't - it's as if you have complete control of your PC from your Ipad.

tami osmer glatz said...

Okay, played with it even more... When you go to your PC from the Ipad, your Ipad screen becomes a mirror image of your PC screen. It opens programs, works within them, makes changes. Yes! Even Legacy, etc! I worked on my family file and it was just like being on my PC.

James Ezell said...

Sweet I shall be buying this app the moment I get home. should work crazy fantastic for my home theater pc

Cheri Hopkins aka You Go Genealogy Girl #2 said...

Don't know how I missed this in June but can't wait to try it. I have had Splashtop for some time on the PC and laptop but did not know of the i-pad app. Thanks for the great review.

Diane O. said...

I love this app. I've watched Legacy webinars without any issue. I've also been able to watch ESPN3 (which has nothing to do with Genealogy of course). It makes your iPad a second monitor. It is well worth the price.