Which app results in the best mouse?

[TheSinMuffin]

I'm looking to control my mb with my ipod as a mouse. Anyone got suggestions? I know about iTap and Air Mouse but which one is the most responsive as a mouse? I also want to use it for Powerpoint and Keynote Presentations. Please suggest something here.

[Chiller ONE]

I really love Snatch. Check out the lite version first and see if this is what you are looking for.

[parranoya]

Originally Posted by Chiller ONE

I really love Snatch. Check out the lite version first and see if this is what you are looking for.

Yeah me too! Love it ---wait ---what are we talking about.

[Chase]

I like Snatch, too... Even though I only have the lite version. I'm afraid the full version won't be worth it, though, because I have 10.4 in which the server's in beta.

[TheSinMuffin]

Mhmm. I tried the lite version but I can't seem to use powerpoint/keynote with it. Anyone know about Air Mouse? It seems to function as an actual mouse instead of just a trackpad.

[Chase]

Originally Posted by TheSinMuffin

Mhmm. I tried the lite version but I can't seem to use powerpoint/keynote with it. Anyone know about Air Mouse? It seems to function as an actual mouse instead of just a trackpad.

Not sure, sorry. I've seen in the App Store though and it looks like it might be what you're looking for.

Try checking YouTube for a video. Someone might have made a video of them using the AirMouse app.

[Adams Immersive]

I highly recommend the ultimate solution: Jaadu. (Formerly Teleport.)

It may be overkill for some, but it's awesome and worth every penny.

You get more than a mouse--you get a keyboard, complete with full computer keys (Command, Control, Option, F keys, arrows, Esc, etc.), the ability to lock modifiers for use with mouse clicks, and you get two-finger scrollwheel functionality. (Plus two-finger swipes left/right sends arrow keys--nice for skipping songs etc.) It even has an optional remote-control layout with common media-control keys laid out nice and big.

It's the ultimate remote control for my iMac when I'm sitting on the couch watching Hulu or whatever. And you don't have to install any software o the Mac. (For Windows control I think you may.) NOT suitable for games because games don't understand keys held down via VNC in my experience, but great for everything else.

But beyond just a remote control, it does two REALLY useful (optional) things in addition:

* Shows your computer screen right on the phone. A little slow, but great for zooming in on fine print. And VITAL if you want to control your computer from another room.

* Lets you use and control your computer over the INTERNET. You can even log in and out and change user accounts. I recently did some emergency work using my desktop iMac... while I was two states away. Slow, awkward on a tiny screen... but it sure beat hours of driving to get back to my Mac! (My mac is always on due to Folding@Home. If yours isn't, I think Wake for Network Access in system prefs might work--but only if you use wired Ethernet. Don't quote me though.)

Jaadu is the most expensive app I've bought, but also the last one I'd give up.

[Chiller ONE]

Does Jaadu work over 3G/Edge or just over WiFi?

[Adams Immersive]

Originally Posted by Chiller ONE

Does Jaadu work over 3G/Edge or just over WiFi?

Yes--I even used it over a fairly weak Edge signal once.

Note: it's a bit slow on WiFi, slower still on 3G, and dog slow on Edge. VNC on a 3.5" screen is a last resort option for most purposes. In my view it is, however, WAY better than not having access to your computer all.

And when I say slow, I mean for output, not input. What's slow is screen updating (as always with VNC): no smooth motion, and certainly no video (but there's no sound anyway). Small changes like a small menu opening are fairly quick. A big window appearing or scrolling is what will be slow.

For fastest results, I suggest setting your computer to a small screen res. (Note: I find that changing res over VNC requires disconnecting and then reconnecting. Doable though. I made an AppleScript called VNC Helper in my dock, which drops the res and pauses Folding@Home in one click. These measures help the connection speed.)

The mouse itself is always nice and fast though (the cursor moves instantly no matter what) and over WiFi it's as good as a real trackpad. Key input is sent quickly too--you may SEE the results late, but don't feel you have to type slowly. (And Jaadu has a nice little key-preview feature to show what you've been typing instantly, including backspace-edits, no matter what the connection.)

My main Jaadu complaint: it remembers your VNC password, which could be a security risk if you don't lock your phone. So I leave my Mac on the login screen or a locked screensaver--that way, even if a thief hacked my phone and got my VNC password before I could get home to disable it (or call my ISP to shut down my connection), they'd still need my Mac's login password.

[AchillesReborn]

Do any of the mouse apps work over a wireless network only, without needing an Internet connection?