Release notes for iTap mobile RDP for Mac/Linux

Latest release: version 1.1.5 for Mac and Linux

New and improved features:

  • fixed a compatibility issue with OS X 10.5
  • improved certificate handling (mostly Linux)
  • user interface improvements

Latest release: version 1.1.4 for Mac

New and improved features:

  • improved keyboard support, should be better now for everyone (keys are like keys in Windows!)

Latest release: version 1.1.2 for Mac

Bugfixes since 1.1.1:

  • fixed a crash in the rendering (happens with fast screen updates)

New and improved features:

  • improved storing settings in the filesystem

Latest release: version 1.1.1 for Mac

Bugfixes since 1.1.0:

  • fixed a crash during hardware enumeration
  • fixed a crash in 32-bit mode
  • fixed a protocol error during connection initiation
  • fixed a graphics glitch within scrollbars

New and improved features:

  • changed and improved some shortcuts (e.g. Cmd+Q closes a window)

Latest release: version 1.1 for Mac

Bugfixes since 1.0:

  • crash during hardware activation
  • 15 bit rendering distortion fixed
  • crashes on disconnect fixed
  • order is preserved after bookmarks have been re-ordered
  • some improvements in the keyboard support

New and improved features:

  • printer support
  • multi-threaded rendering
  • improved audio support
  • keychain integration on Mac
  • connection tests added like on iOS and Android
  • bookmark search field
  • rendering performance improvements
  • user interface improvements

Latest release: version 1.0 for Mac and Linux

The latest release is version 1.0 which includes features and resolves issues from the beta program's feedback.

Fixed issues (since RC1):

  • audio output works better and with less noise
  • keyboard sync improved
  • keyboard fixes for various locales
  • Fixes regarding sound output on Linux

Performance considerations:

1. 32 bit mode

For most target operating systems, especially new ones like server 2008r2 and windows 7, 32 bit mode is a lot faster than any other graphics mode. For some scenarios it also compresses a lot better due to the nscodec bitmap codec, although please always also test with 16-bit mode to compare.

2. TLS and NLA security

Encryption is responsible for a large amount of the processing power required to run iTap mobile RDP. In comparisons to rdesktop and other RDP clients with less powerful, and thus less CPU intense, encryption methods available, this can lead to slower overall rendering speeds, although iTap mobile RDP is currently faster than any other RDP implementation we have tested (including rdesktop, Microsoft's RDP client, other mobile competitors and others).

For many target platforms encryption is already optimized. This includes iOS, Android, Mac, Linux, Windows.

3. RemoteFX

Low-bandwidth connections (around 1-2 Mbit/s):

RemoteFX provides a substantially better compression than standard RDP connections (even when using nscodec in 32 bit mode). In low-bandwidth scenarios some use cases are not perfectly suited for RemoteFX. Examples are scrolling within windows and dragging windows. Use cases where RemoteFX seems to improve user experience a lot are viewing websites with flash ads and animations within applications.

High-bandwidth connections (>= 100 Mbit/s):

For high-bandwidth connections the typical network bandwidth required for full-screen video content and fast animations seems to be around 16-24 Mbit/s. On current LAN configurations watching 1080p movies in high screen resolutions is possible with enough CPU power. Currently the RemoteFX implementation is software-only so please expect these results to get even better in future releases.

Other information:

1. Important features

  • RemoteFX support (first release)
  • TS Gateway
  • NLA
  • FIPS compliant security
  • NSCodec
  • all features of iTap mobile RDP for iOS
  • included virtual channels:
    • clipboard
    • drive redirection
    • sound output

2. Keyboard input

Currently keyboard input emulates keys and key combinations from Windows keyboard layouts. E.g. in German keyboard layout Alt + L is not @ (like on Mac) but truly Alt + L (like on Windows).

3. quitting the application

Cmd+Q on Mac quits the whole application including all connections and the bookmark window.

4. RemoteFX

RemoteFX only works in 32 bit connections and if properly set up on the server side. If you feel that performance is slow please compare to Microsoft's RDP client to see if it is server or client related.

Licensing:

If no licenses are activated and installed within the client, it will display trial popup windows. You can obtain a license by opening the license dialog in the "Licensing" menu entry within the client. Then please click "Buy license" to get into our online shop and order licenses.

For the time of the beta program free licenses which are valid for 14 days are available. Full licenses are available for the reduced price of EUR 10 (excl. applicable sales taxes). These licenses can be bought on our website (opened by the "Buy license" button) and paid using Paypal (no Paypal account required).

Version schedule:

The next scheduled releases are regular maintenance for both the Mac and Linux builds.

Known issues:

Product support:

Please direct all your support requests, test feedback and comments to: support@itap-mobile.com (please include the platform you are referring to in the subject line).

Version history

Version: RC1

Fixed issues:

  • several crashes reported by beta testers
  • keyboard sync
  • RemoteFX: problems with Windows 7
  • User interface improvements
  • fixes for some fullscreen scenarios
  • fixes with respect to keyboard input

New and changed features:

  • product licensing
  • certificate validation (to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks)
  • German translation
  • support for Microft's XML based rdp file format
  • tooltips in preferences
  • no linux shell script to set the library path is required anymore

Version: beta3

Fixed issues:

  • several crashes related to TS gateway and connections with TLS/NLA security level
  • keyboard: some keys did not correctly map due to an issue in Qt 4.7.2
  • RemoteFX: fixed graphics distortions in Linux version
  • window layout problems when starting in native resolution fullscreen and switching to windowed mode
  • Mac: 10.5 and 32 bit issues resolved
  • issues with multiple connections in parallel (which could also lead to crashes)
  • fixed qmote-run.sh script for linux to work if symlinked

New and changed features:

  • true multi-monitor support (where the target Windows OS supports it)
  • span mode fullscreen support (optional feature to single-screen fullscren)
  • quit (e.g. Cmd+Q on Mac) quits the whole application and not just the bookmark window in the background
  • resizing in windowed mode with scrollbars is not fixed to the aspect ratio