How to Control Your PC From Your Mobile Phone

[ad_1]

Many of us don’t realize that the mobile phone we have in our pocket can be used be used as a PC remote control. If you use your PC for watching movies, listening to music or running PowerPoint presentations then read on. In this article I will show you how to control your PC from your mobile phone.

Step 1. Check Phone Compatibility

In order to use your mobile phone as a PC remote control, it must support Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity. The software application that I am going discuss also requires that your phone supports Java. Most Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, Motorola and Blackberry phones support Java. Unfortunately there is currently no Java support for iPhone.

Your PC must also support a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection.

Step 2. Install PC Remote Control Software

Download and install Vectir PC remote control software (link at end of article). Make sure you install both the PC software and mobile phone software. There are two versions of the Vectir mobile phone software – one for Bluetooth and one for Wi-Fi. A setup wizard is available when you first install Vectir and it will help you to get the mobile software installed.

Step 3. Check Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Connections

If you wish to use Bluetooth remote control, now is a good time to make sure your phone is paired with your PC. If you have not done this yet, right click the Bluetooth icon in your system tray and look for an option that lets you add a Bluetooth device.

For Wi-Fi remote control, the main requirement is that your Wi-Fi enabled phone is connected to the same TCP-IP network as your PC. You will also need to enable Wi-Fi connections on the Vectir Wi-Fi Remote Control dialog. This is found under Setup > Hardware > WiFi in the right hand panel of the main Vectir Window.

Step 4. Connect to your PC from your Mobile Phone

The next step is to run the Vectir mobile client software and connect to your PC.

If you are using Vectir Bluetooth remote control version, select the “Search For Server” option from the main menu. Select your PC after it has been discovered.

For the Wi-Fi remote control version, select the “Connect to server” option from the main menu. At this point you will need to enter the IP address of the Vectir Wi-Fi server. This is found on the WiFi Remote control dialog in the Vectir PC software under Setup > Hardware > WiFi. Select OK when finished.

Step 5. Select a Remote Control Profile and start Controlling your PC!

You should now be connected to the Vectir server and see a list of remote control profiles on your phone. These are configurations that let you remotely control different applications or PC functions from your mobile phone. Preloaded remote profiles for iTunes, Winamp, Windows Media Player, PowerPoint, XBMC and VLC player are included. If a profile is not available for the application you wish to control, refer to instructions in the Vectir help file for creating a remote profile. There is also a desktop profile that lets you view and interact with your PC’s desktop from your phone. And a system profile that lets you remotely control your keyboard, mouse and master volume.

If you have a touch screen phone, press on the on-screen buttons to send commands to your PC. If you have a keypad phone, open the help dialog to find out which keys on your mobile phone control different functions on your PC. There should be a message on the profile which tells you which key will open the help dialog. On Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Motorola phones, this is the # key. On Blackberry phones, its the? key.

Your mobile phone should now be a fully functional PC remote control. You can sit back and relax while browsing your music collection from your phone and choosing music to play. Or play and pause the movie you are watching and adjust the volume without having to get up and click the mouse or use your keyboard.