HippoVNC

Since smartphones are getting smarter by the year, new ways of extending their functionality are being developed. A relatively new use for these phones is to remotely control your computer.

To be able to do this, besides the application that controls the laptop or  PC, you need another one that creates the connection between the them. Such an application is HippoVNC and it is used in combination with HippoRemote. This VNC or virtual network computing software uses the remote frame buffer and enables you to control a computer with your mobile phone.

HippoVNC isn’t hard to install or configure. It anything, it’s actually a bit too easy. All you need to do is run the installer and from the settings window that appears, enter a password. You then add the connection from your phone and that’s it.

Connecting your phone and computer requires the IP address of the  PC. For fast access, you can simply hover the mouse cursor over the tray icon that HippoVNC creates and it automatically displays the address. You can then write it down and insert it into the phone application when it is requested.

Depending on various other factors, HippoVNC offers you a lot of configuration settings. For incoming connections you can choose to enable socket connections, the JavaViewer and allow loopback connections. You can also enable file transfer and select to lock the workstation if the client disconnects.

In closing, HippoVNC is a nice and practical VNC tool that is easy to setup and use.