iPad remote control for Keynote?

While Geoff's response has a lot of merit I don't agree with his argument.

It's fairly easy response to accept from Apple if they simply say, "* Supports landscape mode only." The problem is easily solved and limitations stated up front. In fact, that's the exact statement in the overview section on the Apple iPad Dock Connector to VGA sales sheet. What it doesn't say is that the VGA connector is limited to some applications and isn't what you are expecting (ie. works just like your laptop)

Instead, some applications are hobbled and don't meet the consumers need.

The Adobe Flash situation seems to be a business decision based around a squabble between two companies. I can grasp that concept even though I may not agree with it. However,I don't see the business logic of not providing the functionality provided with laptops\netbooks when this product is supposed to bridge the gap between a full computer and a cell phone. Especially when you are purchasing a separate component to supposedly do the job. You can't tell me someone isn't smart enough to make it happen.

Hopefully this and other issues with the Keynote app will be addressed in updates. I've got a lot of ideas rolling around in my head that would love to be presented through the iPad interface without the illogical boundaries.

Go back no run back to the store with this device. It does not work the way you think. Just check the reviews of the vga adapter in the ipad accessories section. You will be disappointed.

While Apple may someday think to add a VGA output mode to the iPad's home screen and other Apple apps, the only way I can see that happening is if they make it so the iPad immediately switches to landscape mode when you connect the VGA adapter.....because I guarantee you, you wouldn't want to see the way the vertical (portrait) mode would be displayed on your projector / screen.

It would only take once with the wrong mode for you to learn that you need the device in landscape mode. It's even in the documentation for the VGA connector already. * Supports landscape mode only.

How hard is it to turn the iPad on it's side. Lock the screen orientation. Get fully functional VGA out love.

It's not rocket surgery.

Ha....if you spend enough time on this forum, you come across plenty of people for whom this would be rocket surgery. I've seen too many posts with questions like "how do I plug my Mighty Mouse into my iPad" and stuff like that....many folks just don't get it and are just not researching what this product is all about, therefore expecting it to be a cheap macbook.

I run across a lot of people that "just don't get it" and I understand Apple in their quest for making things easy. My question is, are you implying that Apple thinks because you don't get fully functional VGA from the iPad that someone is going to turn around and buy the MacBook? What's the benefit of the iPad at that point other than, as many other websites have put it, it's just a big expensive iPod touch?

The magic and the revolution end when the device doesn't adequately bridge the gap between the phone and the computer in real work/world scenarios. Steve Jobs himself made the statements about that being the primary goal of the iPad.

In a perfect Apple centric world I can set up a meeting and talk to my client and email from an iPhone. I can listen to pseudo-indie pop in my car from iPhone. I can calculate how to split the bill at Starbucks with an app. I can develop my website and do my graphics design work and create my keynote presentation on a 17" MacBook. I just don't want to have to lug the **** thing around and sit it on the table in front of my clients when I get ready to show them the goods. I want to be able to create seamless transitions between showing them the presentation, the website mock up (in real time) and the graphics layout without the projector popping up a no signal message.

The iPad could easily perform that function with the simple addition of full VGA out support. It's already 2/3rds of the way there since it will show the pictures and the presentation. It's lacking Safari at this point.

As an early adopter I understand that bigger better faster things are to come. I just hope that Apple is listening and is willing to provide some of those things down the road.

And $500 ain't cheap. Not in this economy.

All that's happened is that with the intro of the iPad, the MacBook suddenly seems too big to carry around. But it's not.

To be able to show the client truly anything you could want to show them, whether it be a website in Safari, a 'real' Keynote presentation with all the bells & whistles, or a Photoshop mockup you're working on, a Flash animation or After Effects video, etc., the Macbook is the better option. I doubt the iPad will ever be able to do all these things, even assuming the chips will keep getting faster as time goes on. So far it seems the iPad's video output was designed with young students in mind so as to give basic presentations in class with a minimum of fuss, and not as a full business tool.

But then again, you never know. Your iPhone didn't do all the things you're using it for when it first came out. Stay tuned.

Back to the topic: Has anyone come up with an iPad remote to advance Keynote slides? Well...

I still see no business or technical reasons from Apple's side as to why the iPad can't perform with full function VGA out.

iPhones aren't just toys. People have developed full business models around them.

The iPad isn't just a toy or a students device either. It has business potential but it's got to reach real world business needs to get there. I could care less about flash. I've long since sloughed off my bloated website phase but it seems like there's a lot of, "If it could just do this one more thing," about the device that's going to sell more devices. We'll see.

And I think the answer is a resounding no RubberDucky4. You're just going to have to lug the MacBook around or stand near your iPad.

"connect to the projector via composite or component AV, Apple sells adapters..."

I understand that only a Component video adapter (three RCA plugs for three color signals) is available for the iPhone (and iPad?). Composite (single video RCA plug) is not available. That severely restricts the number of projectors that can be used. Best off using a VGA adapter - which prevents the iPad from being charged.

On the topic of this discussion ... I use the iPhone Keynote Remote app with a Macbook Pro for presentations. I was hoping to be able to use an iPad instead of the Macbook for some business trips. But that it not looking feasible.

Message was edited by: Michael Paine

Apple Composite AV Cable:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB129LL/B?fnode=MTY1NDA0OQ&mco=MTA4ODUwNDg

I've got this cable and charger, it works on the iPad. If your going to charge the iPad, you should use the charger that comes with the iPad.

Be nice if you could just buy the cable.

Thats odd. There was a discussion just a few weeks ago about the Composite adapter not working with the iPhone. I had one for my iPod and could not get it to work with the iPhone. After David B's comment I tried it again and it worked. So ignore my earlier comment, I can charge my iPhone 3GS and send composite (AV) video to a projector (maybe an iPhone OS update fixed the problem - or I had a bad connection previously)
A problem remains for lecturers who only have VGA connection to a projector (iPad wont charge)

Working on the same issue, I realize the conversation has gotten sidetracked though.

I was thinking of the keynote remote app for the iphone to control Keynote on the iPad. What I can't figure out now is how to configure Keynote on the iPad to accept input from the Keynote Remote app on the iPhone.

phreanix,

Keynote on the iPad won't do it. Perhaps in the future Apple will add that. Right now only the desktop version of Keynote accepts the signals over WiFi from the iPhone app.

Again, perhaps it will happen someday, or perhaps a 3rd party will create a keynote-ish or powerpoint-like presentation app that uses Bluetooth... then an iPhone and iPad could talk to each other without you needing a Wifi router in the room.

jfControl is one possibility for a third party app:
http://www.digitalsirup.com/jfcontrol/
The developer has been keen to add new features and functionality.

This all depends on whether Apple will allow an iPhone to talk to an iPad. jfControl currently works only with wi-fi.