Air Display Converts Your iPad Into A Secondary Display For Just $10

Ever heard of Avatron Software? Don't worry, most people would agree that they haven't. But they have just produced one of those "killer apps" for iPad that we said would convert it from a cute and functional toy to something of a must-have device in the future during our review. If you've been searching for "reasons" to actually buy an iPad, this might be one. Those secondary displays from Mimo Monitors have been a real hit, as there's hardly a computer user who would say that they have plenty of screen real estate.

But it's not always easy to lug around a USB monitor. If you're iPad ends up with your carry-on bags anyway, the Air Display app may make it far more useful if you travel and find yourself using a notebook often. Basically, Air Display turns your iPad into an extra monitor for your netbook, laptop or desktop; it works over Wi-Fi, and basically tricks your host machine into thinking that your tablet is in fact another monitor that needs to be fed.

It's really as simple as that, and while it's not perfect for transmitting video or fast-moving action onto the iPad display, it's ideal for having your chat window, e-mail, etc. just residing over on the side and out of your main view. This is obviously best for netbooks and ultraportables, as the 9.7" IPS panel on the iPad adds a great deal of screen space (percentage wise). It's available now for $9.99, and if you already own an iPad, that's far less expensive than buying an entirely new secondary display.

Air Display connects the devices over a localized wireless network and leverages the iPad's auto-rotation feature, allowing the device to be rotated in portrait or landscape orientation as needed. The iPad can be positioned to the left or right of the primary screen, and the device's hallmark touch-screen functionality can still be used to manipulate features on the iPad screen, just as if it were being used alone.

The app delivers hi-performance mouse capabilities with a screen refresh rate of 150 frames per second for no perceivable lag time in mouse performance. Compressed image quality and refresh speed are continually balanced to optimize viewing quality or speed of movement as needed.

For easy installation, the required Mac components are installed to the main machine, with the Air Display app loaded on the iPad. Once basic configurations are made, the main machine automatically recognizes the iPad as a secondary monitor each time the app is loaded on the device. Once the iPad app is closed, the main machine automatically returns to single-screen mode.

For best results, a stand may be used to position the iPad in the ideal viewing position—a picture frame, plate holder or folding stand works well, as do some iPad cases.

Designed by seasoned Mac OS developers with more than 25 years of Apple software engineering experience, Air Display is the result of deep iPlatform knowledge to most effectively leverage the platform's unique capabilities.

Avatron's success with its first two iPad apps are the result of the company's focus on productivity apps, which translate very well on the iPad, relative to the iPhone. Avatron's first iPad app was Air Sharing HD, which lets users transfer virtually every file type from their desktop to the iPad, creating a portable document storage device.

Air Display for iPad is available in the U.S. now for just $9.99 in the App Store. The Mac OS installer is free at www.avatron.com/ad. International versions will launch in conjunction with the iPad international launch.

Air Display is part of Avatron's highly acclaimed family of productivity Apps for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. For more information, visit www.avatron.com.