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Wireless Control for Presentations?

Posted by Cliff on from the ditch-the-slides-for-your-laptop dept.

Bifurcati asks: "I recently bought a Bluetooth enabled Powerbook G4 laptop, which comes with a trackpad. I often give Powerpoint presentations, so I'm interested in getting a wireless controller, to flip back and forward through slides without touching the laptop. Google turns up many options, e.g., Honeywell's, Beamplus and this doohickey. Another option is a combined mouse-controller, throwing an external mouse into the bargain. There are wireless mice (e.g., Logitech's) which need a USB plug-in, but are short range. Or there are Bluetooth mice, like the X-Wing, which are neat and have a 10m range, but seem to be a pain with battery life/charging. Another option is Logitech's Bluetooth Presenter, which is a mouse, PP controller and laserpointer in one (but costs $200!). So many choices! So I'm turning to good old Slashdot. All of you presenters out there, do have favourite remote control devices? What are your experiences with using them? What type of connectivity is the best (wireless, Bluetooth, something else?!) And what about devices that double as an external mouse, or even as a controller for movies, iTunes, etc?"

6 of 51 comments (clear)

  1. Use your bluetooth phone or pda as a remote by phildog · · Score: 5, Informative
    Salling Clicker might do the trick.

    Disclaimer: I've never tried this software as I don't have a mac.

    What, you bought that shiny G4 and don't have $ left over for a BT phone/pda? Cry elsewhere you insensitive clod :-)

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    1. Re:Use your bluetooth phone or pda as a remote by -=[Dr.+AJAX]=- · · Score: 5, Informative

      Invest in a PDA or phone that has built in bluetooth and use Clicker. From personal experience, it is the best. I have the Sony Ericsson Z600. Not only can I control keynote or powerpoint via the phone, but the notes portion of each slide shows up in the display of the phone. An added bonus is the ability to sync the phone and my powerbook. Clicker does have many other features, though. I have yet to use the proximity controls, but the first time that an incoming call on my cell phone muted iTunes and brought up the caller id information I just about... well.. erhem... I'll leave this clean....

    2. Re:Use your bluetooth phone or pda as a remote by gooru · · Score: 4, Informative

      I have used this software, and it's absolutely perfect. I usually use it with PowerPoint, though it works with Keynote as well. I have a Sony Ericsson T610 hooked up via Bluetooth to my PowerBook G4, which I use for presentations all the time. Even technical audiences are wowed by it, and it frees you from standing behind a podium or walking back to change slides. My only gripe is that Bluetooth's range isn't quite as good as the specs say, but as long as you're within a few feet of your laptop, you should be fine. While the software isn't free, it's extremely inexpensive, and you can use it for other things such as controlling iTunes.

  2. Cell phone by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    Use your cell phone if it has bluetooth.. Sony Ericsson T610/T630 works great. FMA is nice if using Windows. In Linux there are a few programs that let you control your mouse with the arrows on the cell phone. If any of those don't suit you it's very easy to cook up your own software!

  3. Keyspan Media Remote by Urgoll · · Score: 3, Informative

    The Keyspan Digital Media Remote is a small IR controller. It comes with a base that connects to the PC or Mac using USB. It has keys for play, stop, rewind, forward, next, previous, etc. I've tested it with PowerPoint and various media programs, and it works at least as far away as 25'. And cheap to boot, I got mine for $35 at the local computer store. More info.http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/remote/

  4. Targus Notebook Wireless Presenter by UID1000000 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Bifurcati, I would suggest the Targus Notebook Wireless Presenter. It retails at 49.99 but I've seen it online for as low as 41.

    It works via USB and uses RF to control the mouse. It basically subs as a mouse and you can program the buttons to do different commands.

    I like laser pointer that it comes with too.

    I've used this before, it works nicely and I've liked Targus for their notebook companion items a lot. If you have warranty issues they'll take care of it right away.
    Let me know what you think of it.

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