VMworld: Wyse enhances PocketCloud mobile options

PocketCloud now supports access to virtual desktops from Android devices

Wyse Technology has released new versions of its PocketCloud software that lets popular mobile devices access virtual desktop sessions hosted in the datacentre. The firm also announced an updated version of its management tool for thin client terminals.

At the VMworld 2010 conference, Wyse unveiled its first version of PocketCloud for Android devices, while users of Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch can now download an updated PocketCloud 2.0 for these devices.

PocketCloud is a software client that provides remote screen capabilities for virtual desktop sessions. As well as being certified for VMware View, the tool supports Microsoft's RDP protocol for Terminal Server sessions and even the VNC remote screen protocol.

PocketCloud for Android supports devices with Android OS 1.5 or later, and is available to download from Android Market for $14.99 (£9.75). A free version is also available that lacks VMware View support and some other features.

Meanwhile, PocketCloud 2.0 for Apple iOS devices now comes in a Premium edition that supports a richer multimedia experience, according to Wyse, including streaming video files from a host Windows PC and a browser for files stored on it.

The updated PocketCloud 2.0 also adds VNC support and costs $14.99 from the iTunes App Store, while the Premium edition will be available in three-month and 12-month increments at $2.99 and $9.99 (£1.95 and £6.50) respectively.

For more traditional thin client terminals, the firm also released Wyse Device Manager (WDM) 4.8, the latest version of its management tool, formerly known as Wyse Rapport.

The update adds key capabilities to address management requirements in virtual desktop deployments, Wyse said.

These include the ability to deploy updates while thin clients are in use, and minimises the risk of corruption due to a failure during updates. The new version also reduces image download time and bandwidth consumption by up to 60 per cent, according to Wyse.

WDM 4.8 also provides asset management and health monitoring for Wyse's stateless Xenith 'zero client', a dedicated endpoint device for accessing virtual desktops via Citrix XenDesktop.

With version 4.8, WDM is now split into Workgroup and Enterprise editions. The Workgroup edition continues to ship with Wyse thin clients for no extra charge, but lacks some features of the Enterprise edition, such as the background updating while endpoints are in use.

Workgroup edition also supports up to 750 clients, while there is no limit with the Enterprise edition.