Splashtop remote desktop now streams Ubuntu

Splashtop, probably best known for its fast boot Linux for laptops, has expanded the reach of its remote desktop software by releasing a proprietary remote desktop streamer for Ubuntu 12.04. The streamer component, which has previously been available for Windows and Mac OS X, allows a system to stream its desktop to a remote client running on iPhone, iPad or Android systems.

Splashtop claims that its protocol, algorithms and optimisations allow it to deliver fifteen times higher frame rates and ten times lower latency times than VNC. The streamer uses an SSL-secured connection between client and desktop. According to the company's CEO, Mark Lee: "Linux users have been clamoring for a version of Splashtop that supports Ubuntu". Lee adds that the Linux version of Splashtop uses a modifiable configuration file that allows users to tweak the frame rates and port numbers used by the streamer.

The company says it is developing a client for Ubuntu for a future release. Also in development is a one-to-many mode which appears to allow up to 40 independent concurrent sessions to be served from a single Ubuntu system.

Splashtop shows the multi-session support for Linux that it is developing

The Streamer is a free-of-charge download; there is an associated "open source package", but this merely contains the source code of free software that was used to create the streamer. Connections within a user's own network are free, but require the user to create an account and sign in with Splashtop's online service. Connections from outside the users network require an "Access Anywhere" package to be in-app-purchased, priced from 69p a month. The iPhone client is free, but the iPad client costs 69p. The Splashtop Streamer for Linux is available to download – other Splashtop components are available from the company's home page or Apple and Google App Stores.

(djwm)