There are already plenty of capable VNC apps for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, but there’s a new kid in town called Screens, and it’s making friends quickly thanks to a superior touchscreen experience like never before.
Edovia Inc. has just released their latest app, Screens, which touts itself as “the ultimate VNC client for your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.” Apparently, an awful lot of users agree -- the app was just released on Monday and is already ranking as number 16 in the App Store Utilities category.
Screens is a universal app, so you’re getting the best possible experience whether you use it on the iPad or iPhone/iPod touch. Setup with your Mac OS X, Windows or Linux computer is simple, fast and secure (thanks to an SSH Tunnel option), and Edovia also offers the free Screens Connect preference pane for Snow Leopard 10.6 which allows for easy VNC access outside of your home network, over Wi-Fi or 3G -- no messy router setup or other voodoo required.
What sets Screens apart from competing VNC clients already on iOS is the new app’s effective use of multitouch to duplicate functionality on your host computer. Rather than fumble with trying to duplicate the mouse on a touchscreen, Screens allows you to use the gestures you’re already familiar with, including tap to click, double-tap for double click and two finger tap for right-click functions such as contextual menus. There are also four-finger gestures for Exposé.
Perhaps one of the most frequent challenges for users of other VNC clients on iOS is getting the Mac OS X Dock to appear when it’s hidden. Screens saves the day again with its innovate “Pull to Dock” feature -- simply pull the VNC screen up and the Dock pops up, making you wonder why such simple functionality has been a challenge to developers for so long.
Screens is normally $24.99, which is well worth the price for many just on ease of use alone. Thankfully, Edovia is hacking $10 off the regular price for a limited time, so you can get Screens for just $14.99 if you act now. The 9.5MB universal app is compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad and requires iOS 4.1 or later.
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