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VMware View brings virtual desktops to iPad with touchscreen-friendly controls (video)

Remote controlling your personal desktop from an iPad is one thing, but today VMware is offering something a little heftier -- a streamlined app to connect to enterprise-class virtual desktops. Like Citrix Receiver, the idea is that you'll get the iPad client for free, and hopefully pay to have the cloud computers served up, but instead of streamlining applications for tablet use, VMware's app hands you customizable PC-like controls. There's a handy-looking virtual touchpad you can use for fine control over the mouse cursor if your fingers prove too pointy, a set of Windows shortcut keys at the top of the virtual keyboard, multi-finger gestures and more -- but why not just watch the video after the break to see what's in store?



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Apple iPad Means Business with VMware View™ Virtual Desktops

Available on Apple App Store, New VMware View™ Client for iPad lets enterprise and government users access their virtual desktops from anywhere

PALO ALTO, Calif. – March 9, 2011 - VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW), the global leader in virtualization and cloud infrastructure, today announced the availability of VMware View™ Client for iPad on the Apple App Store for free. Enabling Apple iPad users to access their virtual Windows1 desktops, applications and data from anywhere, the new VMware View™ Client, in combination with VMware View™, delivers a modern desktop optimized for the iPad's high-resolution Multi-Touch display.

"The growing popularity of the iPad in business presents a new opportunity for enterprise IT organizations to empower their mobile workforces by providing users with anytime access to business critical apps on the go," said Christopher Young, vice president and general manager, End-User Computing, VMware. "With VMware View™ Client for iPad, employees and enterprises get a win-win combination – a complete, secure virtual desktop solution they trust, paired with the unique touch interface of the iPad employees have come to love in their consumer lives."

Growing Use of iPad in the Enterprise:

Serving families in Southern California, Children's Hospital Central California is one of the 10 largest hospitals of its type in the United States. Recently, the Hospital has deployed VMware View to provide secure, "Follow-me Desktops," that move from room-to-room with clinicians and staff as they treat their patients. The hospital has plans to deploy VMware View Client for iPad.

"The iPad could fundamentally change the way our clinicians and staff approach their IT needs," said Kirk Larson, chief information officer, Children's Hospital Central California. "Now with VMware View Client for iPad, our caregivers can have the freedom to access a patient's electronic medical records anywhere in the hospital via an iPad on a secure VMware View desktop. This could not only improve patient care but may enable us to dramatically reduce costs and simplify device management."

End-User Freedom. IT Control:

VMware's End-User Computing vision seeks to free end users and IT organizations from more than two decades of complex, device-centric computing and deliver a more user-centric, consumer cloud experience for the enterprise. The new VMware View™ Client for iPad provides a simple and secure way for end users to access virtual Windows desktops, applications and data from their iPad.

VMware View™ is a complete, virtual desktop solution that enables enterprises to improve security and lower operating costs, while simplifying desktop administration and management by establishing a modern, end-user computing architecture. The result is a more flexible, centrally hosted computing model that provides IT with greater control and end users with freedom to access to their desktop across the broadest set of devices.

Microsoft Windows 7 – 32-bit and 64-bit, Enterprise Professional, SP1; Windows Vista – 32-bit, Business and Enterprise, SP1 and SP2; Windows XP – 32-bit, Professional, SP3

VMware View™ Client for iPad features include:

Modern Desktop Experience – The new VMware View™ Client is the first iPad app to deliver Windows-based virtual desktops while taking advantage of the superior user experience provided by PC-over-IP (PCoIP) display protocol, creating a highly responsive and flexible user experience.

Intuitive, Multi-Touch Support – Custom gestures on the new VMware View™ Client enable quick and easy navigation around the virtual desktop by taking advantage of iPad's Multi-Touch display. An innovative on-screen track pad lets users leverage a more traditional mouse interface with the iPad's keyboard for efficient text input.

Secure, Instant-on Windows Desktops – VMware View Security Server support for PCoIP allows for a simple, secure remote connection and authentication to a user's Windows desktop over a WiFi or 3G network. Reconnecting to a View Desktop2 is made even easier with the ability to select and connect to a list of recently connected desktops.

Device and iOS Support – Support for the iPad Keyboard Dock and Bluetooth keyboards makes text input even easier while the iPad VGA connector allows you to connect to an external monitor. VMware View Client for iPad supports iOS 4.2 and iOS 4.3.

For additional details on VMware View™, go to www.vmware.com/products/view.