The Overview:
Do you have multiple computers in different locations that you need to access on the go? Do your family and friends consider you their 24/7 support desk? Do you need to be with clients, but hate to be stuck in the office? Have no fear, LogMeIn Ignition by LogMeIn Inc. is here. LogMeIn Ignition for iPhone and iPod Touch uses your 3G or Wi-Fi connection to provide remote control access to your internet connected computers.
Features:
Just thinking about how to layout all the features of LogMeIn Ignition gave me a massive headache, because there are so many. In a nutshell LogMeIn Ignition for the iPhone and iPod Touch includes:
- Lightening fast and easy setup – no complicated VNC setups
- Saved passwords - saves your log in information for each computer
- Computers List - view list of computers assigned to your account and online status
- Full keyboard – use your iPhone or iPod Touch keyboard to type on your host computer
- Left and right mouse clicks – use your iPhone and iPod Touch to send left and right mouse clicks as if you were there
- Flick and zoom controls – use standard iPhone/iPod Touch UI navigation to view the host computer
- Computer specific preferences – set up and save computer specific preferences such as resolution, lock keyboard, and screen blank
To use LogMeIn as a service you must sign up for an account on the
LogMeIn website and choose between several levels of established service. Luckily my favorite level is the free service since it accommodates about 90 percent of what most people will want to do. There are other levels of service available, but they are yearly subscriptions. In this review, I will focus mainly on what you can do with the LogMeIn Ignition app and the free LogMeIn service.
After establishing your account, select the computers you will want to access, and go through the setup process. What's really cool about LogMeIn is that you will now be able to access your computer(s) via the LogMeIn Web site. To take it one step further and access your computer(s) from your iPhone or iPod Touch you'll need to purchase and download LogMeIn Ignition from the App Store.
After LogMeIn Ignition is installed on your iPhone or iPod Touch all you have to do is tap to launch and then sign in. Voila, you are set up my friend! To access one of your computers, simply select the one you want from the list and you can be all you can be where ever you are.
I bet you’re wondering how's it's so easy. Well, it's "automagic". OK, no it's not "automagic", but it's pretty darn close. The ease of set up on your iPhone or iPod Touch goes back to the account you set up over at LogMeIn's website. The computers you added will now be accessible through your device. I know, sweet right? So, at first blush setting up an account appears to be a pain, but it all works to your advantage in the end.
The Breakdown:
So, I’ve introduced you to LogMeIn Ignition, listed some of the cool features, and given you a brief how to. I know you’re like, that’s all good Turra, but what is the skinny on this LogMeIn Ignition for iPhone and iPod Touch deal? Well, here at App Advice we don’t just tell you about the apps, we give you the breakdown, which includes what's good and bad, so here it is - and I’d love to hear if you agree or disagree in the comments.
The Good:
LogMeIn Ignition makes great use of the iPhone/iPod Touch platform. You guys should know I’m a nut about UI and how a developer makes use of it to enhance the user experience. Well, LogMeIn Ignition makes full use of the iPhone/iPod Touch platform. They incorporated the two-finger zoom in and zoom out and they also found a way to work in right-clicks. I also like the fact that if you need to you can use the platform keyboard to type on the host computer.
I am also a stickler for ease of use. If I purchase an app I don’t like developers to make me work. With that said, I love the fact that LogMeIn Ignition has the Computer list, which provides easy 1-2-3 access, you can also access your stored log in information as well.
The Bad:
Not everything is perfect, and that goes for LogMeIn Ignition. If you ask anyone about LogMeIn Ignition the first thing they mention is that they don’t like the price. Yes, the price is rather steep. In this economy everyone is price fixated and rightfully so. I guess you need to think about and compare ease of use, with use frequency, and factor in price to determine if you think it is worth it.
I guess the second bad thing, if I want to get really nit-picky, is it takes a bit to navigate once you get the remote control going. But, that really has nothing to do with LogMeIn Ignition and might speak more to a good thing about the app rather than a bad, because the navigation by flicking is actually pretty cool.
The Comparison:
There are other apps that enable you to connect to computers remotely for cheaper. Most of them require that you set up your host computer(s) as a VNC server. So in the end, they may be cheaper, but they are a bit more involved to set up. I’d personally say go that route if you are a real down and dirty techie type. You must also consider the fact that in some respects they may not offer all the features that LogMeIn Ignition does with the account based setup. If basic of basic remote access is all you need and you only have one or two computers maybe another app is the way to go. But, if you have many computers, and you need some serious remote access than LogMeIn Ignition for iPhone and iPod Touch should be on your list.
The Verdict:
The verdict is simple and easy for me to write. LogMeIn Ignition just works, no muss, no fuss, it works. I have no problems paying the price for any app that works well without a whole lot of rigmarole. Naysayers will say what they will about the price, but from where I stand I need my remote control to work and I don’t want to think about it. That is why I personally plunked down the $29.99 when LogMeIn Ignition hit the App Store and I don’t regret a thing. I have eight (8) computers assigned to my account and I use LogMeIn Ignition quite frequently and it has saved my bacon more than once and that was more than worth the price tag to me.
