Microsoft's new iOS and Android Remote Desktop apps let you control a PC from ...

Microsoft is providing a new way for iOS and Android users to access their Windows PCs today. A new Remote Desktop app is now available for both operating systems, letting you simply connect to a Windows PC and control it. While a number of third-party solutions have existed previously, including Citrix and others, Microsoft's native support is the latest in its continued push to provide apps across Windows, Android, and iOS.

The Windows desktop in your hands

Remote Desktop, as the name implies, uses the same Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) that Microsoft has used for years across its Windows desktop and server releases. On the iOS version it's a little tricky to navigate the desktop on such a small screen, but Microsoft's Windows 8-style interface works a lot better. Unfortunately, the app doesn't auto detect PCs on a network so you'll have to know the IP of the machine you want to connect to. That's fairly standard for Remote Desktop, and Microsoft has built it options to scroll around a machine at its native resolution as well as an onscreen keyboard with options to trigger function, shift, ctrl, alt, esc, tab, and even the Windows key.

While these apps are mainly designed for businesses users who want to quickly remote back to their PC, they'll come in useful for enthusiasts who want to access Windows PCs natively on the go. The Android Remote Desktop app is available in the Google Play store, and the iOS version is available in Apple's App Store. Both are available for free.