App supports multitouch on the extended desktop

Avatron has released an iPad app that allows it to act as an extra monitor for a computer, launching Air Display. The app allows the iPad to extend the screen of a Mac notebook or desktop machine, much like an external display, but 'connects' over Wi-Fi instead of a physical cable like a DVI cable. It supports displaying the screen extension in either portrait or landscape orientation and can be placed to the right or left of the Mac screen.

A unique feature of the Air Display app desktop extension is touch-screen support -- users can touch items on the iPad's screen and make touch-based adjustments, allowing for an extended desktop where tools could be located on the iPad screen zone, for quick touch adjustments.

The app delivers screen refresh rates of 150 frames per second, while balancing refresh rates with screen compression to optimize viewing quality and mouse speed as needed. After the app is configured and necessary components are installed on the user's Mac, the iPad will be automatically recognized as an extended screen whenever the app is launched and will automatically disappear when the app is closed.

Current requirements for Air Display are a Mac with an Intel CPU and Mac OS X 10.6 running in 32-bit mode. Support for 64-bit Mac booting is expected in a matter of days, as is support for Mac OS X 10.5.8 and higher. Windows support is expected soon as well. The app is available now on the iTunes App Store for $10. It works with the iPad, requiring iPhone OS 3.2.

by MacNN Staff