Turn Your Smartphone into a Set of Wireless Keyboard and Mouse

Our smartphone functionality has began to improve quite rapidly. Courtesy to the various handy apps and tools that allows us to take things to the next level. Before now, there was not much to do with our smartphones. Except for playing games, music and answering calls. However, the case is now different, as we can now do a lot of things using our smartphone. Most of the tasks that were once only done on a computer can now be achieved with our smartphones. Fascinating huh! This does not mean you shouldn't have a computer and a phone at the same time, as having both can still come of neccesity, enabling you to carry out critical tasks all together without any hassles.

If you've ever wanted to turn your iPad, iPhone and Android into a wireless user-friendly remote mouse and keyboard for your computer, then it is possible with a remote mouse app. Imagine when you're lying on a bed at night watching multiple movies non-stop. There's no need to get up and start typing on your keyboard, or to pause/play the movie. You can simply take control of this task by lying on your bed.  Remote mouse unveils a simulated touchpad, keyboard and featured remote panels, to make your remote experience simple and efficient. The app can be of essence, if your mouse or keyboard is broken. Here's how to use it!!.

Install Remote Mouse Server on Your Computer

To begin with, you will need to install the latest version of Remote Mouse Server on your computer. Simply navigation to the Remote Mouse website or click here. to head over to their download page. Now install the software on your Windows or Mac. As of now, you can download and install Remote Mouse Server on your Windows 8, 7, Vista, XP, and Mac OSX 10.5+.

Install Remote Mouse on Your Mobile

Next you'll need to install the latest version of Remote Mouse app on your smartphones. So to get this one going, head over to your respective phone's store, then search for the app & simply install it. Alternatively, you can install Remote Mouse for either Android, iOS, or Windows Phone by clicking here.

Connect Your Mobile Device to Your Computer

Next you'll need to connect your mobile device and computer together. So make sure that your mobile device and PC are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, & then open Remote Mouse on your mobile device. From here, click "Start" button. The app will begin to search for a nearby server(s) and connect to your computer automatically. If more than one server is found, a list of servers will be prompted for selection.

Optionally, you can connect your mobile device to your computer by entering your computer's IP address or QR code. (Note: the connected IP address will be saved in history list automatically for a next use). Also remember, to setup a password for connection on your Mac / PC and protect your computers from being connected by others. So enter the same password on your mobile device to connect. Once you are connected, you can now begin to use your mobile as a mouse and keyboard for your computer.

Use Your Phone as a Keyboard

With remote mouse, you can easily use your phone as a keyboard for your PC or Mac. Once you're connected, just tap on the keyboard icon from your mobile and start typing. You can be able to see your text both on mobile screen & computer. But if you find this unpleasant, and thus do not want the text to be displayed on the mobile screen, then you can toggle the Show Input Text option via Settings.

You can remotely type with your voice by using remote mouse, and moreover, the app unveils a numeric keyboard. Apart from this, remote mouse features a key combination input & the keyboard is also functional when you switch to landscape mode.(Requires Pro to Unlock). Remote mouse brings a "return" key, & it works the same as hitting "Enter/Return" on your computer.

Use Your Phone as a Mouse

With remote mouse, you'll be able to use your phone as a Mouse for your PC. So to get this one going, just move your finger across your mobile screen to move the cursor. Tap with one finger to left-click, with two fingers to right-click, and also pinch to zoom in. If you find this tiring, you can get all the buttons which you see on the real mouse on your mobile screen. To achieve this, you'll need to enable the "Mouse" option in Panels section which can be accessed through the app menu. Remote mouse features a fully simulated mouse, magic trackpad and multi-touch gestures.

Open Your PC Apps with Your Phone

Remote mouse can come of great essence when you want to access all the apps on your PC with your phone. Simply click on the respective window icon from remote mouse which is installed on your mobile, then remote mouse will unveil or list out the apps on your computer's dock. Now tap on the app you want to access, and it will open instantly on your PC. You can open apps like notepad, power point and microsoft word etc. However i haven't figured out a way to close the apps once they're open. So you will need to stick to doing this manually from your PC or Mac for now.

Use Your Phone to Power OFF & Restart Your Computer

You can also use remote mouse to power off and restart your computer, as well as put it to sleep and log out of your profile. Notice the play icon integrated into the remote mouse app, this will allow you to control music in iTunes, Keynote, Hulu, and Windows Media Player. You can also adjust your PC's volume or change slides by using your device's volume buttons. If you want to use "Spotify Remote" & the "Media Control" you'll need to unlock it, but at a little cost.

Remote mouse also brings an air "mouse mode" feature, who'll will allow you to shake your mobile to move the cursor. If you want to tinker with more options in the remote mouse app, then head over to the Panel and Settings section. From this area, you enable left hand mouse, & also change trackpad background etc..

Final Words

Guess we are already through here. With remote mouse, you can become lazy and that's deserving. The app can help you to control your PC or Mac directly with your mobile. Remote mouse features a unique and customizable interface, app launcher and switcher. Overall, you will be able to use the app to play music, open apps and perform other tasks. All you need to do is simply to sit back and use your Android, iPhone, iPad and also Windows Phone to remotely control your PC. In summary, Remote Mouse is a handy tool which can turn your mobile phone or tablet into a wireless user-friendly remote control for your computer.

The Best Aviation Apps For Android, iPad and iPhone

An aviator or perhaps a pilot needs more room for learning, it does not matter whether you're a commercial or private aviator. As a brand new pilot or even an expert, there's a need for you to start somewhere, installing most of the best aviation apps on your iPhone or Android can actually help you expand. Over the years we have seen a ton of aviation apps specially designed for Android and iOS device, but it is believed that iOS device unravels more essential aviation tools than Android. Whatever your opinion might be, it might contrary be different from mine since most of the best aviation apps for Android and iPads unveils options for flight training, weather report and much more. Thus in this article, we're going to list out the best aviation apps for iPads, Android, and iPhones.

1. Avare (Android)

Avare is one of the spectacular aviation apps for Android which was made by and for pilots. The app is specially designed for flying in the USA and some parts of Canada, but it provides a current TPC charts for most of the world, and ONC charts for Canada, EU,  South Asia, and New Zealand. With an intuitive user interface, aware is easy to learn and use, Avare also provides an offline moving map on all FAA charts but like other aviation apps for the device, Avare isn't FAA certified but may be used as outlined in FAA documents. Apart from this, Avare brings plethora features and once installed, the app begins fetching an aviation database and at least one chart but you can also choose additional charts and materials for Avare to download for free.

2. ForeFlight Mobile EFB (iPad and iPhone)

ForeFlight is probably one of the most popular and widely used flight planning and electronic flight bag app for iPads and iPhones. Individual pilots and professional flight crews all over the world use ForeFlight to plan and file flight plans, access preflight and in-flight weather. They can also download and view electronic charts and maps, manage flight publications, log flight time, and more. ForeFlight unravels essential features and you can easily use the app "Graphical Briefing" to get all the weather information you need in other to feel confident and ready for takeoff. The app also provides an option for you to file, amend, or cancel VFR and IFR flight plans from your mobile device. Also, the "Hazard Advisor" which serves as a moving-map overlay helps to tracks your GPS position and altitude in other to depict hazardous terrain and obstacles.

3. Garmin Pilot (Android, iPad, and iPhone)

Garmin Pilot is the comprehensive suite of tools designed specifically for general aviation and corporate pilots. The app includes Flight planning, charts, weather briefing resources, Lockheed Martin, DUATS filing, interactive maps and navigation capabilities. Garmin intuitive interface mirrors those on the newest Garmin touchscreen avionics so you can go seamlessly from preflight to inflight. Similar to ForeFlight, Garmin pilot brings an inbuilt "Logbook" which automatically generates entries based upon GPS data collected during the flight, tracks currency, supports manual entries, endorsements and creates reports. Also with Garmin Pilot, data can be displayed over a VFR sectional or an IFR low or high en-route chart to visualize the weather for your route. The app inbuilt "NavTrack" feature helps you to view weather along the planned route. Garmin pilot is also available on iPad and iPhone thus you can grab it from iTunes store.

4. MyRadar Weather Radar (Android, iPad, and iPhone)

MyRadar is a real-time weather radar with temperature, hurricanes, widgets and free warnings. The app is fast, easy-to-use & no-frills, it displays animated weather radar around your current location, allowing you to quickly see what weather is coming your way. All you've to do is just to start the app, and your location pops up with the animated weather which tells you if rain is headed toward or away from you, and how fast it is descending. MyRadar brings a map that has the standard pinch and zoom capability which allows you to smoothly zoom and pan around the United States and see what the weather is like anywhere. In addition to this features of MyRadar, the app brings severe storm warnings for your area and real-time hurricane tracking. The app also brings a layer that provides Airmets and Sigmets, and even the ability to overlay the flight plan of a particular aircraft onto the map. MyRadar is available on Android and you can grab it from the Google Play Store.

5. Sporty's E6B (Android, iPhone, and iPad)

Sporty's E6B is a powerful flight computer app for aviators, it includes all the features of Sporty's traditional E6B, including 23 aviation functions, 18 conversions, and complete timer features. The app's user-friendly design makes calculations fast and easy. Each function can be selected from a plain English list, and the app prompts the user for information as it goes. Plus, the entries are saved from previous calculations, so there's no need to re-enter data. You can easily calculate weight and balance using sporty's E6B. The app is most suitable for student pilot since it makes quick work of navigational and fuel problem. But it also includes a number of features that are useful for experienced pilots, such as Top of Descent, Specific Range, and Planned Mach. You can also set the timer to count up or count down, so it is perfect for timing approaches, holds or switching fuel tanks. There is also a clock function that shows Home, Local and Zulu time. Sporty's E6B is available in the iTunes store for iPhone and iPads.

6. WingX Pro7

I have always emphasized that Android isn't losing when it comes to Aviation, but our opinion might vary. WingX Pro7 was a popular aviation app that hit the iTunes store first before unraveling itself on Google Play Store. WingX is the best GPS-Enabled Moving Map for aviators, the app brings an awesome user-defined enroute transparency and it includes VFR Sectionals, IFR Enroute Low and High, and WACs. Apart from this, WingX Pro7 features a split screen, track up, weather briefing, conversions, winds aloft and runaway winds. Also just like ForeFlight, WingX Pro7 allows it's users to easily file, close, and cancel flight plans. The app also includes color-coded and decoded METARs, TAFs, winds, and temperature aloft. You can also use WingX to calculates METAR Density Altitude and Freezing Levels. Overall WingX Pro7 is the best alternative if you're probably looking for an aviation moving map app since it contains built-in mini manuals. WingX Pro7 is available for Android on the Google Play Store.

Final Words

The above aviation apps can actually not be your favorites, but trust me they can completely enhance your learning since they're the one's been used most often. Thus if you're a brand new iPhone, iPad or Android pilot, then you'll need to start from somewhere and that's by Installing the above aviation apps on your device. Overall these apps are probably what most aviators have been waiting for!.

How To Enable Picture in Picture Mode On Your iPhone

The iOS 9 Picture Picture multitasking was one of the finest features integrated into iPads. We've seen numerous features the iPads unravels which wasn't enabled on the iPhones. Apple considered the larger screen on the iPad to that of the iPhones since their rationale could probably revolve around the fact that iPhones medium screen can't utilize this essential features. However, from my own perspective, there's a high tendency that the iPhones can run this features without any hassle. The iPhone 6 and iPhones 7 for instance brought with it a premium specifications that is capable of running any app or games, so why would there be bugs, lags or issue if the Picture in Picture mode is integrated into it?.

Also Read: How To Enable Split View & Slide Over Multitasking On iPhone.

Earlier in one of our previous articles, I highlighted the 3 multitasking features integrated into the iPads (Slide Over, Split Screen and Picture in Picture mode). We thus went further to unravel the perfect methods to get this features on iPhones except for the Picture in Picture mode. The iPads Picture in Picture feature allows you to watch videos in a small thumbnail or pop-up window over other apps whilst you perform other functions simultaneously on your iDevice. Seen the important of this feature, we've figured out a way to enable the iPads Picture in Picture multitasking feature on your jailbroken iPhone.

Note: This procedure requires you to have Cydia app and a Jailbroken iPhone, so if you haven’t jailbroken your iPhone, head over to Google and quickly look for a guide on that.

Install ForceInPicture

ForceInPicture is a Cydia application that "programmatically" enable Picture Picture feature on unsupported and jailbroken iOS devices. The app is very simple to use and there are no options to configure. Thus, to begin with, open Cydia app on your iPhone, and search for "ForceInPicture" (without quotes) in the search tab. Next tap the “Install” button followed by the “Confirm“ icon. Now hit “Restart SpringBoard” if prompted to complete the installation process.

How To Use Picture in Picture Mode On iPhone

As stated earlier on, ForceInPicture does not require any knowledge nor special configurations. Thus once you install the app then you're completely good to ride. Simply open a video and you will notice a dedicated button for the tweak. Tap on that button and then tap on the home button and the video that you where playing will show as an overlay at the bottom of the screen. You can reposition the overlay by dragging it with one finger. The overlay has three buttons for the Pause, Close or Return to full-size function.

The ForceInPicture tweak is compatible with the default Apple video player so, it will work with the video app and Safari but it certainly won’t work with apps like YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion etc. If you want to watch the videos of these apps as an overlay then you can open the same videos in the Safari and then make it as an overlay and enjoy them. Another alternative to enable ForceInPicture tweak on the YouTube app is to install "pipe tube", which acts as a YouTube player with the added benefit of allowing for Picture in Picture mode.

Overall the iPads Picture in Picture mode feature comes in handy especially when you want to perform certain tasks on your iDevice. Once you've installed the forced picture tweak and enabled the picture in Picture Mode on your iPhone, you can now painlessly minimize the supported videos and continue watching them while multitasking on your iPhone.