MacBook Air 2010 and remote control

The remotes used via one's iPhones are a great idea for the tech savvy. However, when I think of my wife, who exclusively uses a first generation MacBook Air and would get one of the new ones if she had to replace it--well, if I told her to set up an ad hoc network if she didn't have access to wifi, she'd look at me with a blank stare. Even if I wrote down the instructions for her, it's going to be more than she wants to fool with, let alone try to remember. She's just not wired that way, and the truth is a lot of people aren't.

I'd be very interested to know how many bluetooth remotes will definitely work with Keynote. Again, USB based remotes aren't a good option unless the interference that some projectors have with the trackpads has been worked out. My wife often has to plug in a mouse to the sole USB port when the projector interferes with the iPad.

I've been looking around at Bluetooth remote solutions, and this dedicated Mac remote made by targus looks good. It says that it will work with Keynote. Has anyone tried it?

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&q=bluetoothremote+controlmac&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8585697264513233937&ei=igvUTLizEJTtnge53JW0BQ&sa= X&oi=productcatalogresult&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCYQ8wIwAg#ps-sellers

Caution: System Requirements - Express Card slot or a PC Card Slot

Jim Kohn wrote:
Caution: System Requirements - Express Card slot or a PC Card Slot

Jim, what has these system requirements?

Regarding Rick Mansfield's post above: Targus bluetooth remote:
I've been looking around at Bluetooth remote solutions, and this dedicated Mac remote made by targus looks good. It says that it will work with Keynote. Has anyone tried it?

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&q=bluetoothremote+controlmac&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8585697264513233937&ei=igvUTLizEJTtnge53JW0BQ&sa= X&oi=productcatalogresult&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCYQ8wIwAg#ps-sellers

System requirements indicate Express Card slot or PC Card slot required. Air has neither.

Jim Kohn wrote:
Regarding Rick Mansfield's post above: Targus bluetooth remote:
I've been looking around at Bluetooth remote solutions, and this dedicated Mac remote made by targus looks good. It says that it will work with Keynote. Has anyone tried it?

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&q=bluetoothremote+controlmac&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8585697264513233937&ei=igvUTLizEJTtnge53JW0BQ&sa= X&oi=productcatalogresult&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCYQ8wIwAg#ps-sellers

System requirements indicate Express Card slot or PC Card slot required. Air has neither.

I don't see any mention of a cardslot in the system requirements--not for the Targus AMP11US. Why would a card slot be needed for a Bluetooth remote? I looked at the specs on the Buy.com page and there was no mention of a card slot.

http://www.buy.com/prod/targus-for-mac-bluetooth-presenter/q/sellerid/16616284/l oc/101/209842160.html

I feel completely misled. the missing backlight was hard to accept. But no remote control in my new macbook air, which I mainly use for presentations is a very bad joke. How do I work with it in a dark presentation room with no keyboard backlight and no remote control ???? shame on you.

Misled? Who caused you to be misled? Not reading the specifications? Making assumptions?

I agree that I would have liked a backlit keyboard but I wasn't misled and it's not a show-stopper for me, evidenced by the fact I bought one. If these features are essential for you, then buy something else.

I made a choice based on the specifications. As for a remote, I've been using the iPhone remote for a very long time (on the Pro as well) and I am very happy with it. Apart from anything no line of site is needed which makes it more practical in many presentation locations.

Hmmm

Don't know if anyone else has thought of this but the NEW Apple mouse works a treat as a remote control for presentations!

you can either single click to go forward OR use the 'scroll' stroke to go forward or backwards through a Powerpoint or Keynote presentation.

I struggled to find an iPhone bluetooth solution and then just sat here looking at my mouse and thought 'silly bugger'.

No line of sight issues and works very smoothly!

Robin

Hi All,

BTW, I have the previous MacBook Air (lighted keyboard) and the Apple remote works great! I couldn't tell you where the sensor is located but it works. It's the same remote we use with our MacBook Pros.

Infrared would have been a great addition to Macbook Air 2010. Front Row is a useless application without one.. And there's not locking port on the MacBook Air (to secure your laptop to tables). With infrared, you could at least use an application like 'IAlertU' to set off a motion-based alarm.

CAN ANYONE SHARE TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOUR MBA in Public Places?

I too despaired when I realised I couldn't use my remote on my new Air. But then I realised, "they probably have an app for that" and they do, for $1.19 - much cheaper than buying the Kensington remote! Download the Keynote iPhone app here: http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/keynote-remote/id300719251?mt=8

FYI- your mac can create a wireless network.

Steps-
-Click the airport ikon
-click create network
-name the network
-click ok.

Seriously, this only takes about 10 seconds to do the first time and about 5 every other time (because airport remembers the name you select).

Anyone can do this tech savvy or not.

USE YOUR IPHONE as a remote, or any other wifi mouse, presenter, or keyboard

NEW tech tip:

Tether your iPhone (or other smart phone) to your Mac using the doc connector/usb. create a wireless network as described above. open system preferences and select sharing. Next click on internet and select share your local connection over airport, viola! You now have internet for your whole house.

I have the 2010 MacBook Air and have found that yes, the Targus remote with the USB does not work with the Air although it works fine with an older MacBook....screwed again by hardware junk...why don't they tell you these things! And I agree, why not the backlit keyboard?

Riok, you said:

"I'd be very interested to know how many bluetooth remotes will definitely work with Keynote. Again, USB based remotes aren't a good option unless the interference that some projectors have with the trackpads has been worked out. My wife often has to plug in a mouse to the sole USB port when the projector interferes with the iPad."

This is a MBA late 2010 forum, and both models of MBA(11" and 13") have two USB ports.