Using an Android tablet to interface with your PC

[WantoN]

I'm looking for one or more applications that will allow my Android tablet (Fire 10) to interface with my PC. Don't mind paying one-offs for licences, but I'd rather avoid ongoing subscriptions.

One of the most important aspects would be an interface like a control panel, that I can use as an additional input for gaming and other applications.

Here's what I'd like to do ideally:

• Mirror Android display to Monitor, windowed. Bonus if I can interface with K&M
• Custom Interface to act as an input device - ie. control panel for Elite Dangerous
  
• Access files on the PC, play videos, open documents etc
  
• Extend desktop to tablet display, like a 3rd monitor

I'm unsure if the above is even possible. I've found a couple of apps that allow the controller thing with a server, but either had no luck with the interface, or getting it working.

Any help is really appreciated; I'm a bit stuck.

 

[dcsarge]

I suspect this isn't best placed in GD really but you never know. I don't really platy around much with android and pc as a combo these days, our house is full of iPads out of compatibility/software need (education mostly, has been for years).

My mind will be blown if that last one is possible without some serious wizardry.

Interestingly I think a monitor my daughter was using could act as a KVM switch for tablets/mobile but I'm not sure if it the one she has now or the one she returned. I can check if it is interest.

I haven't played E.D on PC for several years but I used Roccat Power Grid on an old Samsung mobile as an touchscreen interface, along side Voice Attack and that helped make up for a lack of flight stick setup for most functions.

I don't know if Power Grid is still about but it was easy enough to customise functions with a nice layout.

 

[WantoN]

I suspect this isn't best placed in GD really but you never know. I don't really platy around much with android and pc as a combo these days, our house is full of iPads out of compatibility/software need (education mostly, has been for years).

My mind will be blown if that last one is possible without some serious wizardry.

Interestingly I think a monitor my daughter was using could act as a KVM switch for tablets/mobile but I'm not sure if it the one she has now or the one she returned. I can check if it is interest.

I haven't played E.D on PC for several years but I used Roccat Power Grid on an old Samsung mobile as an touchscreen interface, along side Voice Attack and that helped make up for a lack of flight stick setup for most functions.

I don't know if Power Grid is still about but it was easy enough to customise functions with a nice layout.

Was meant to be General Hardware mate, my bad. I've flagged it, thanks for pointing it out.

Roccat Power Grid has been discontinued iirc, I tried a couple of other apps, but no good. Shame as PG looked excellent.

 

[LabR@t]

Tight vnc

 

[Andre]

Try Unified Remote - requires a server on the PC, but covers off at least points 2 and 3

 

[dcsarge]

Was meant to be General Hardware mate, my bad. I've flagged it, thanks for pointing it out.

Roccat Power Grid has been discontinued iirc, I tried a couple of other apps, but no good. Shame as PG looked excellent.

That is a shame. Keep meaning to get back into it if I get a GPU sorted out and PG would have been my go to.

 

[WantoN]

That is a shame. Keep meaning to get back into it if I get a GPU sorted out and PG would have been my go to.

Did some digging mate, definitely gone. Still being shared , but doesn't work on 64bit operating systems.

It's really the thing I want to do the most, but cannot find an alternative that works well!

 

[WantoN]

My mind will be blown if that last one is possible without some serious wizardry.

Prepare yourself then matey I believe I've found two: first one does wired or wireless, second is wired only. They're SpaceDesk and Splashtop Wired XDisplay.

From what I can see, you can extend or mirror your desktop, and wired is the preferred method to avoid lag.

I'll try them. All being well, that's one down

 

[dcsarge]

Prepare yourself then matey I believe I've found two: first one does wired or wireless, second is wired only. They're SpaceDesk and Splashtop Wired XDisplay.

From what I can see, you can extend your desktopz and wired is the preferred method to avoid lag.

I'll try them. All being well, that's one down

Well stone me . Hope they prove fruitful.

Interesting about Roccat P.G. as I always used it inconjuction with Win 7 64bit. Is it 10/11 that is an issue? I wonder if I still have a copy on a USB somewhere!?

 

[WantoN]

Well stone me . Hope they prove fruitful.

Interesting about Roccat P.G. as I always used it inconjuction with Win 7 64bit. Is it 10/11 that is an issue? I wonder if I still have a copy on a USB somewhere!?

That's very interesting indeed, maybe the 32bit thing is a red herring. I'd love a copy if you have one mate!

 

[dcsarge]

I will have a mooch around when I get the chance later and let you know. Hoping I didn't do the unthinkable when I needed to make a PS4 recovery drive a couple of months ago .

Edit:

@WantoN Bad news, looks like I did nuke a load of old gaming related files including that one. I must have had it in my head I could just download it again if I needed it. I still have my personal config files on my system but not a full install sadly.

I did come across two alternatives that may be worth researching, no idea of ease of use etc.

LEA Extended Input and Gameglass (this appears to be more of a commercial offering than the first one).

Sorry I couldn't help out more than that.