While this is not exactly the first remote desktop app for Android developed by the Redmond giant, it features so many changes both in the user interface and functionality that it could be considered a new app entirely.
The first remote desktop app created by Microsoft for Google’s mobile OS was launched a year ago. The new app, which is currently in Beta stage, is listed separately in the Play Store, meaning that it’s more than just an update to the older one. Despite all that, a changelog from the stable version has been included, but maybe just to point out the improvements.
One of the main changes over the old app is the user interface, which went through a major overhaul. As all changes in this department, the new UI is meant to boost the app’s functionality by providing quicker access to essential controls and settings.
While still using the reliable RDP protocol, the new app now includes support for multiple sessions. In other words, you can have remote access to your work computer, along with the ones from home, all while being on the road (even though you probably shouldn’t run remote desktop apps while driving, no matter who developed them).
User accounts have also gone through a change, their management being now much improved over the previous version of the app. Regardless of the number of users, you must rest assured, as your connection to your computers will always be secure. Microsoft employs the Network Level Authentication (NLA) technology for that particular aspect.
Microsoft also tells us what to expect in the future releases. First of all, there’s access to Remote Resources via the Remote Desktop Gateway. Secondly, there will be Azure RemoteApp preview access.
The app is fairly new, so there aren’t that many reviews on the Play Store. In fact, at the time of writing, there were only three, and only two of them were favorable. Just a piece of advice for anyone writing reviews for an app store. Please state in your comment the reason you gave the app that rating, regardless if it’s positive or negative. A single word isn’t enough for summarizing why the app is good or bad. In the end, the device on which it’s used could influence the experience dramatically, and others may not have the same problem.
To install the Microsoft Remote Desktop Beta app, head over to Google Play Store and choose to have it downloaded to your devices.
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