Vectir Remote Control 3.5.1 featuring remote desktop updates is now available. This version is focused on improving remote desktop performance in the Vectir Android, BlackBerry 10 and Windows Phone 8 apps. Desktop navigation and zoom commands are now sent over the UDP channel if available for improved performance. Version 3.5.1 of the Vectir Remote Control app now includes settings for maximum FPS (Frames Per Second) and zoom sensitivity. Vectir remote desktop in earlier versions was fixed at 10 FPS. The new FPS setting sets the maximum FPS with a range of 4-24 for remote desktop but does not necessarily mean your desktop will be streamed at this rate. If you are using Vectir with Bluetooth remote control or your network is slow the actual FPS may be slower than the max FPS setting. Remember that a higher FPS may result in higher power consumption. The zoom sensitivity setting was necessary due to the rapid zoom rate realized by sending desktop commands over the UDP channel. New remote desktop commands for two finger scrolling, Zoom 100% monitor 1, Zoom 100% monitor 2 and Send ESC have also been added.

The full version of Vectir Remote Control has also been updated to convert to free version functionality when the trial period has finished. The free version has also been updated to enable more features when used with version 3.5.1 of the Vectir Remote Control client app.

Version 3.5.1 of the Vectir client app should now be available in the Android and Windows Phone app stores. It will be available in the BlackBerry app world as soon as it has passed certification.

Summary of updates in Vectir 3.5.1:

• Remote desktop performance updates
• New remote desktop client commands
• WiFi server updates
• Full version now converts to free version at end of trial period
• More functionality in free version (client version 3.5.1 or later)

Vectir 3.5 featuring sub-remotes and new system power options is now available. The sub-remotes feature makes it possible to load remote profiles from within remote profiles. As quite a few users have been waiting for this feature for some time the next blog post will explain this feature in detail.

Before going into more detail about the new features in Vectir 3.5 it should be mentioned that this version has a new dependency on the Microsoft .net Framework version 4.0. This introduces a new minimum operating system requirement of Windows XP SP3. If anyone is running Windows XP SP2 or earlier turn off the Vectir server auto-update feature and keep using Vectir 3.4. The Vectir mobile apps will remain backward compatible with Vectir server 3.4. If you are running Windows XP SP3 or a newer version of Windows and don’t have version 4.0 of the Microsoft .net framework installed, the Vectir installer will start the .net 4.0 web installer for you.

The Windows plugin has been updated in Vectir 3.5 to include new power source, battery charge, and monitor power state data sources. A new system power remote profile has been built around these features and is now included as a default remote. For users upgrading from earlier versions this remote profile can be downloaded from the system power remote profile page and imported into the Vectir PC software. A new full screen mouse remote profile is also included in the latest release.

Another new update in Vectir 3.5 is the addition of a custom file browser open command. In previous versions the file browser in the media player remote profiles would open media files in the default Windows application for the file type. A new folder called ‘File browser custom open command’ has been added to the ‘Menu Commands’ folder of remote menus. If a custom file browser open command is added to this folder, the file browser will offload the file open request to the custom command. The default remote profiles have been updated to add a custom file browser open command where necessary. For example, the VLC remote profile now includes the VLC ‘File Browser Play’ command in this folder. This also solves the problem of multiple VLC instances opening when launching media files associated with VLC.

In addition to the VLC file browser open command mentioned above, the VLC remote profile has also been updated to include a sub-remote button for opening the system remote profile. This gives quick access to arrow keys or the mouse when navigating movie menus in VLC. Updated VLC remote profiles are available on the VLC remote profiles download page.

The remote profile designer has been updated in Vectir 3.5 to give more options for how text is rendered on button controls. A font picker dialog has been added to allow users to choose the button font. Horizontal text alignment and offset properties have been added to give more control over where text is rendered on button controls. Some simple text effect options have also been added. The new system power remote control gives a good example of how these properties are used.

Version 3.5 of the Vectir Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry 10 apps is required for the sub-remotes feature. This version should already be available in the Android and Windows Phone stores. It will be available for BlackBerry 10 as soon as it has passed certification.

Summary of updates in Vectir 3.5:

• Sub remote support added (load remotes from within remotes)
• Power source, battery charge, and monitor power state data sources added to Windows plugin
• New text rendering options added to remote profile button control
• Custom file browser open commands
• System power remote profile added
• Full screen mouse remote profile added
• VLC remote profiles updated to include System sub remote
• Profile rendering memory usage reduced
• New dependency on .net 4.0. Installer will start .net 4.0 install if required.
• Minor bug fixes

A new version of the Vectir Windows Phone 8 app (v3.4.1) has been released with Bluetooth remote control support. This release also includes a number of UI updates and bug fixes. The server management screen has been updated to handle Bluetooth servers and the server search screen now includes a Bluetooth search option. Bluetooth remote control has been fully tested with the new server and remote shortcuts features. Create a live tile shortcut to your Bluetooth servers and remotes for quick access.

Install Vectir Remote Control 3.4.1 for Windows Phone 8 from the app store on your phone or install manually from the Vectir Remote Control Windows Phone 8 store page.

Vectir 3.4 is now available. This version is centered around performance related upgrades and improved support for multiple devices. There is a new remote profile group type in the Vectir PC software that ensures remote profiles are only made visible to devices with compatible screen resolutions. When creating a new remote profile group users are now able to choose a display resolution that suits their phone or tablet. Vectir will attempt to upgrade your existing remote profile groups with the new display resolution property. If the upgrade was successful your groups will have a new icon with a phone over a folder. You can also download the upgraded groups from the remote profiles page.

A new remote metadata feature has also been added to help make more information about your remotes available to Vectir client devices. In the remote profile designer there is now a Metadata button that will launch a dialog where you can enter version, description and author information. There is also a new remote profile ID property added to each remote profile. This removes the existing limitation of unique remote profile names. The remote ID also assists with the new remote shortcut features in the Android and Windows Phone 8 apps.

The WiFi server will now listen on all available networks when configured with the hostname connection mode. Previous versions made a best guess as to which is the correct network to listen on but occasionally would get it wrong. This problem should now be resolved. The IP address connection option is still available and lets you choose which network to listen on while ignoring all others.

For full compatibility with Vectir PC software 3.4, Android, Windows Phone 8 and BlackBerry 10 users should install version 3.4 of the Vectir client software. This version has been published in the Google Play store and will be available in the Windows Phone and BlackBerry 10 stores as soon as certification is complete.

Summary of updates in Vectir 3.4:

• Remote profile display resolution groups
• Remote profile metadata
• Unique remote profile name limitation removed and remote profile IDs added
• Remote profile designer updates
• Updates to allow remote and server shortcuts in Android and Windows Phone apps
• WiFi server hostname connection mode now listens on all available networks
• Minor bug fixes

Vectir 3.3.2 is now available and features a dedicated VLC plugin for full VLC remote control. If you are upgrading from a previous version of Vectir you will need to download and import the new VLC remote profile. The latest Vectir mobile software (v3.3.2) is also required for full compatibility with the new VLC remote control features. The Android app is already published and the Windows Phone 8 and BlackBerry 10 apps will be available as soon as they have passed certification.

Here is a summary of the updates in Vectir 3.3.2:

• Full VLC remote control support added (VLC plugin included in build)
• Improved task switcher application detection
• USB-UIRT IR recording dialog now writable to allow manual command entry

Vectir 3.3 is now available! Thank you to everyone who participated in the beta testing and provided such useful feedback. Vectir 3.3 provides many updates and all remote profiles have been rebuilt with a new gun metal theme. Here is a summary of the updates in Vectir 3.3:

• Support for new font size in pixels setting in remote profile designer and menu designer
• Support for state triggered images in remote profile designer
• New resize mode setting for picture box control
• Improved remote profile designer support for devices with large screen sizes
• New UDP port added to WiFi server for fast commands
• Support for new mouse commands from Vectir mobile client
• File paths remembered and restored for remote designer and import/export dialogs
• Reduced CPU usage when mobile device not connected
• Environment variables now supported in command line and keyboard commands
• PowerPoint bug fixes and slide timer issues resolved
• All remote profiles rebuilt with a new gun metal theme
• New remote profile groups added at 720×1280 and 1080×1920 resolutions
• Changes have been made for loading remote profiles from within remote profiles but this feature won’t be enabled until the next release
• Free version remote profile limit lifted from 5 to 10

For full compatibility with the latest changes, Android, Windows Phone 8 and BlackBerry 10 users should install version 3.3 of the Vectir mobile client app. This should be available now for Android users, for Windows Phone 8 users as soon as it has passed acceptance testing and for BlackBerry 10 users next week after some final changes have been tested.

If you are updating from an earlier version, make sure you have downloaded and imported the latest remote profiles. You can also import them by deleting all existing remote profiles groups from the configuration panel in the Vectir PC software and connecting from your mobile device. Remote profiles at the correct resolution for your device will automatically load. Make sure you export your own custom remote profiles first.

If you notice that the font sizes have changed in your remote profiles, this is related to a new font size in pixels setting. The existing three font size settings have been converted to a font size in pixels setting. You can adjust this through the remote profile designer in the Vectir PC software. Right click on your remote and select Edit then select the controls for which you would like to adjust the font size and change the font size in pixels setting under properties. You can also now adjust the font size in pixels for the remote profile menus. Right click on your menus under Your Remote > Menus, select Edit then adjust the font size in pixels setting.

Have fun trying out the new updates and features in version 3.3. If you have any questions for find any issues with this version please contact Vectir Support.

Vectir PC version 3.2.1 has been released today. This version is a minor update featuring a number of bug fixes and updates. Many of the updates are focused on changes required for Windows 8 and 8.1. Here is a summary of the changes in this release:

• Fixed Windows 8.1 compatibility issues
• Fixed WiFi hostname network selection problem
• Fixed mouse cursor visibility issue on Windows 8 touch screen devices
• Fixed Bluetooth port startup issue
• Fixed Edit menu dialog problem where filebrowser base directory was hidden
• Fixed iTunes bugs related to non media files in albums
• Added setting for dismissing screensaver on remote command
• Added automatic error reporting option
• Minor bug fixes

You can either download the latest release from the Vectir downloads page or wait until the auto update feature in the Vectir PC software detects the update.

Vectir WP8 Remote Control App 3.1.0 has passed certification and is now available in Windows Phone store. If you have a previous version installed, the Windows phone store app should now show an update. Alternatively you can search for Vectir remote from the app store on your Windows phone or download the xap from the Vectir remote control Windows phone store page.

Vectir version 3.1.0 for WP8 includes a number of minor bug fixes and updates for compatibility with Vectir server version 3.2.

The Vectir BlackBerry 10 Remote Control App is now available as a stable release. Either search for Vectir remote control from the Blackberry app world on your phone or download from the Vectir Remote Control Blackberry App World page. Vectir for BlackBerry 10 has all of the features available in the Android app but limited to WiFi connectivity. Remote profile layouts are available at a suitable resolution for both the Z10 and Q10 devices. If you are installing Vectir for the first time, run the device setup wizard (Tools menu in PC software) and when your BB10 device first connects, remote profiles at the correct resolution will load. Alternatively you can download and import remote profiles at the correct resolution from www.vectir.com/download/remote-profiles. The 720×720 remote profile group is included for the the Q10 device. For the Z10 device either the 480×800 or 1024×600 remote profile groups will be suitable.

Vectir PC version 3.2 is now available. This version includes a number of updates focused on improving remote media library management. Media library search is now available for iTunes, WMP and Winamp. Voice search is also available if using the Vectir Android remote control app. Many new context menu commands have been added for improved control over how music is played or managed. These updates require the latest remote profiles and Vectir Android or Windows Phone 8 remote control apps. Vectir for Android version 3.1 will be uploaded and available soon. The latest WP8 remote control app will be available in a couple of weeks after it has passed certification.

Summary of updates in Vectir 3.2:

• Added media library search for iTunes, Winamp and WMP
• Add various context menu commands for improved iTunes, Winamp and WMP media control
• Added Winamp remote play queue management
• Added new datasinks for iTunes, Winamp and WMP track position
• Updated remote profiles to support menu search
• Added new command parameter to close menu after command execution
• Added support for remote desktop images up to 120k
• Fixed bug that could cause WiFi server to lockup
• Minor bug fixes