Splashtop Archives - Newsgroup Reviews Blog

2013 Usenet Guide : Mobile Apps

June 10, 2013 by NGR

We started our Usenet guide series by covering the basics of finding a good provider. Then we looked at how to configure popular Usenet clients. Followed by tips for using search engines and NZB sites to find content. Today we’re going to finish up with a topic that is growing in popularity. The use of mobile apps to access newsgroups. We’ll cover iPhone, iPad and Android apps that help you access Usenet from anywhere.

When it comes to mobile Usenet access you have a few options. You can use a third party app to connect to Easynews, NBRemote for Newsbin, or a remote desktop app like Splashtop to access other newsreaders.

Easynews Mobile Apps

Are you an Easynews member? If not check out their service. Those new to Usenet will be especially happy with their web interface. It gives you access to search and download content from newsgroups without installing a newsreader. Members can also use their third party mobile apps for iOS and Android. Including EZ Global Search, EZ Usenet and EasyBrowser. See their mobile apps page for more details.

Our favorite Easynews mobile app is EZ Global Search. They offer a free lite version and a full version for $2.99. The app is available for iPhone and iPad. We’ve used it on an iPhone 5, iPhone 4 and iPad. It’s nice to be able to access Easynews from your phone or tablet. View our related posts to learn more.

NBRemote for Newsbin Pro

Newsbin is one of the best Usenet clients around. They offer a great Windows client but were lacking mobile apps. Then along came NBRemote for iOS devices. With an Android version in the works. As the name suggests, you can use NBRemote to remotely access Newsbin Pro. They offer both a free lite version and full version for $2.99. Use either version on iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. With an Android app coming soon.

Splashtop Remote Desktop

Before Easynews and Newsbin released mobile apps we were without a means of connecting to our favorite Usenet clients while traveling. Whether on vacation or just playing cards at a friends house we wanted to be able to search Usenet and queue up content while away from home. That meant finding a more creative solution. In researching we found a nice remote desktop app called Splashtop for iPhone and iPad.

I believe the price has increased since our first use of Splashtop. They now have a version 2 that is available from the app store for $2.99 (iPhone) or $6.99 (iPad). We used the original version to access our desktop while away. Allowing control of favorite Usenet clients like Newshosting, Newsbin Pro and Newsleecher. The app has it’s quirks but is the best we’ve found for accessing a wide assortment of newsreaders.

The downside is that you will need access to your system. It let’s you tunnel in and remotely control programs.

Filed Under: EZ Global Search, NBRemote, Newsreaders, Splashtop, Usenet Tutorials

Newsleecher iPhone / iPad / Android Client

July 22, 2011 by NGR

Earlier this week we tested Newsbin Pro using a remote desktop app called Splashtop. Since then we decided to test some more Usenet clients including Newsleecher. The results were equally impressive. As the Splashtop app allowed us to easily access Newsleecher on our Windows 7 system and remotely control the newsreader. Here is a screenshot of Newsleecher running on the iPad.

As you can see above we were able to connect to our desktop from an iPad via Splashtop. The graphics display was good and responses times were quick. After a couple days the touchpad controls are now almost second nature. We really enjoy accessing our favorite newsreaders via Splashtop. Here ‘s the scoop on the app.

Splashtop remote desktop app:

Splashtop for iPad: $1.99 – iTunes product page
Splashtop for iPhone / iPod Touch: $0.99 – iTunes product page
Splashtop for Android devices: $2.99 – Android product page
Spashtop HD for Android devices: $6.99 – Android product page
Splashdot remote desktop for Palm Pre: $4.99 – Palm product page
Remote desktop app for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android and Palm Pre
Splashtop supports 30 FPS (frames per second)
Latency is around 174 ms. Which is about .2 seconds.

So far we’ve tested Newsleecher along with Newsbin Pro and Binreader. Using Splashdot from our iPad to remotely control each client from our Windows 7 box. These are all clients that don’t otherwise offer mobile apps. So accessing them from iPad is definitely a treat. We look forward to bringing you more coverage of Splashtop and other apps that help make our Usenet experience even more enjoyable.

Filed Under: Newsleecher, Newsreaders, Splashtop Tagged With: Newsleecher Android, Newsleecher iPad, Newsleecher iPhone

Newsbin Pro iPhone / iPad / Android Client

July 20, 2011 by NGR

We recently tested a really cool app that let’s you remote desktop into your computer from iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) and Android devices. It is called Splashtop. We’ve tried other remote iPad apps in the past but they were either too slow or the graphics weren’t up to par. That’s not the case with Splashtop. We were able to easily connect and access Newsbin Pro 6 from an original iPad. Here’s a look at Newsbin on the iPad.

The screenshot doesn’t quite give justice to the Splashtop app. As Newsbin Pro looks great on the iPad’s 9.7 inch LED display. What you see above is the image taken directly from our iPad during testing. The remote touchpad controls take a little getting use to but we were able to remotely connect, search and download Usenet content using Newsbin through the Splashtop app.

We bought the Splastop app from the iTunes store for $1.99. It looked like they had a free version as well. Not sure of the limitations for the free app but the $1.99 price is well worth it to get the premium Splashtop remote desktop client. Here are some specs for those comparing Splashtop to other apps.

Splashtop information:

Remote desktop app for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android and Palm Pre
Splashtop supports 30 FPS (frames per second)
Latency is around 174 ms. Which is about .2 seconds.
Splashtop for iPad: $1.99 – iTunes product page
Splashtop for iPhone / iPod Touch: $0.99 – iTunes product page
Splashtop for Android devices: $2.99 – Android product page
Spashtop HD for Android devices: $6.99 – Android product page
Splashdot remote desktop for Palm Pre: $4.99 – Palm product page

Those new to Newsbin Pro can download a 10 day free trial. The Newsbin team recently released version 6.0 of the popular Usenet client. If you haven’t had a chance to upgrade or try the v6 newsreader definitely give it a try. You’ll be impressed with the new user interface. Prices have changed as well. With the client being sold for $20 (including free lifetime updates). Those interested in the Newsbin Internet (Usenet) search can purchase a year of access along with the newsreader for a total of $30. A great value for the combo.

Filed Under: Newsbin Pro, Newsreaders, Splashtop Tagged With: Newsbin Android, Newsbin iPad, Newsbin iPhone