Categories
Archive

The Search for Keynote's Hardware Sibling

I use Keynote and PowerPoint to make presentations, but my current venue has changed, and so my presentation controller needs have as well.


I use Keynote and PowerPoint to make presentations, but my current venue has changed, and so my presentation controller needs have as well.

I was using the wonderful Keyspan Digital Media Remote. Very handy for office/home office/digital hub situations, where the audience is small, and potentially only around the monitor. Its drawbacks: limited range (35 feet) and line of sight (infrared). (The Keyspan Presentation Remote is based on RF and has a range or 40 feet. -Ed)

My new forum is a large auditorium. My new remote will need to transmit 100 feet (Bluetooth’s out) and be able to travel through some curtains/drapes (RF or 802.11?).

Anyway, my first presentation is in nine days, enough time to hopefully order and receive my hopeful destiny. I’ve searched the net some, but have only been able to find other Infrared devices with limited range. I figured the best site on the net is dedicated to all things mobile, and that a pretty good percentage of those who frequent it must use their ‘Books to present. I ask of generous kindness to share that which I seek.

Since January, we’ve learned what Steve’s been using these past few years for software; I’d love to get my hands on whatever he’s using for a remote (That iPod cam’s pretty cool too, but I can do without that for now)…

We have been using the PowerPlay Pro remote from SmartDisk with a good amount of success and recommend it. The PowerPlay is similar to the Keyspan but uses ISM radio band so line-of-sight is not required. The Pro edition adds a 32MB USB drive to the mix. -Ed.

By Jason O'Grady

Founded the PowerPage in 1995.