Parallels made a big dent in the remote access sector of the technology industry when it launched Parallels Access 1.0 in August. With the second version of its remote access app, Parallels brings desktop PCs and Macs to Android devices and extends its iOS functionality to include iPhones.
Although the emergence of enterprise apps such as Office for iPad seemed to reduce the appeals of remote access apps such as Parallels Access, the app is still an important productivity tool for the likes of businessmen and mobile workers who may need to access their office computers while they're at home. For example, if a critical business email comes in during the middle of the night, a user no longer has to get up and drive to the office just to access the files needed to respond to that email. He can simply log in to his computer from his Android or iOS device using Parallels Access.
Just like with the first version of the app, the updated Parallels Access allows users access to all their desktop programs. On Android, users can have immediate access to the software right on their home screens, but iOS users have the bonus of using a browser-based file manager to access their files. Also notable is a new feature that allows both Android and iOS users to change their screen resolution so they can have a bird's eye view of the screen when they need to.
Parallels also included the original SmartMagnification and SmartTap features, which let users accurately choose their options when tapping the screen around particularly detailed toolbars and menus.
Users will not be able to use the app if the desktop they want to access remotely is in sleep mode. This is one of the complaints about the previous app, so Parallels have come up with a Wake to LAN feature that will nudge the desktop awake when they need access to the system. However, they don't have to worry about co-workers snooping in on their computers because Parallels Access is also equipped with security features that will black out the screen and mute the speakers while the user is accessing the computer from his iPhone or Android tablet.
"While traditional remote desktop products are trying to show a large desktop on a small mobile device, we worked hard to make remote access from mobile devices a truly simple and effective experience," says Parallels president Jack Zubarev in a statement.
However, one of the truly remarkable changes in the new Parallels Access is the price, which has dropped from last version's $79.99 a year for each computer being accessed to only $19.99 for the updated app. Earlier this year, Parallels dropped the price to $49.99 each year for five computers.
The $19.99 yearly subscription includes access to five computers from an unlimited number of mobile devices. A two-year subscription costs $34.99, but Parallels currently has a $29.99 promo in place for those who want to pay for two years.
The 14-year-old company also offers Parallels Access for Business, which allows IT admins to manage their accounts for $49.99 a year. This includes access to five computers from an unlimited number of devices, but companies can take the app on a test drive for free until the end of July.
