Alfred Remote automates work with the Mac via iOS-devices
Makradar Technologies / / December 19, 2019
Every year, Apple quietly extends the functionality of Spotlight - an integrated search engine in OS X. In the latest OS X Yosemite search engine has got some interesting opportunities that relished the users of the system from Apple. However, some of these opportunities regionally blocked (for example, work with a map) that greatly upset many. In this regard, some users prefer to replace the default search engine other no less interesting and more functional solutions. Among the most popular - Alfred 2Which can now be controlled even with devices based on iOS, downloading a separate application Alfred Remote.
In its essence Alfred for OS X - is not so much an independent full replacement Spotlight, as the platform on the basis of which Community users create their own "business processes" to perform certain tasks with the help of application. A similar concept has Automator for OS X, that allows you to implement the solution of various routine processes for the convenience of working with the system, or alleviate similar problems.
Setting Alfred (free of charge), we get a similar platform, but that is not enough for their own solutions of the problems. To download the processes created by the community, or your own, you must also purchase the Powerpack, which will allow these same processes to create and integrate themselves. Implementations of completely different tasks much enough, their examples are available in the official community - choose appropriate, Add and enjoy.
Approximately the same scheme works and Alfred Remote application. This is also a kind of platform which can integrate their processes to interact with the desktop OS X using a mobile device. However, due to the specifics of iOS, directly in Alfred Remote load them can not be done through a client for the desktop. The new version of Alfred 2 finally became available in the Remote tab of the application settings. Through it, we are adding devices that are running Alfred Remote, and manage mobile applications settings.
The left side of Alfred 2 displays a menu category - exactly the same that will be available in the mobile app. By default, they are divided into five categories, but if you wish you can create new opportunities for themselves.
A simple example of some of the features:
In the first category are icons of various actions, responsible for system-related processes, including the launch of the screensaver, shutdown / restart the computer, cleaning baskets and others. After launching the mobile application it will automatically connect to your Mac. Now pressing the corresponding icon to launch Alfred Remote intended for it in the process of OS X. That is, if the application for iOS you click the Empty Recycle Bin icon, basket itself will be cleared on OS X, and so on, by analogy.
Of course, the location of the process you are free to change, delete and add new ones. One click on the empty field - and you will open a context menu where you can add interest to your team. For example, iTunes can display the control buttons to control the desktop client via mobile application.
In addition to the various processes you can set commands open certain applications, files and folders, run the Terminal command, AppleScripts scripts, run a search or specific references to site. The possibilities are truly vast. And, as you know, this is just the beginning, because soon catch up and the developers of the community that will extend the functionality of Alfred even more. At the time of this writing, on the official forum of the very first expansion there.
Now a little about the nuances. Firstly, Alfred Remote is connected to your computer only when they are both on the same Wi-Fi network. I hope that this restriction will be removed in future versions of the app, and learn to work and bluetooth. Second, while it is not clear question: "What is the scope of this application?". It seems to open folders, run applications, and some we can configure and c OS X, because in any case we will have to interact with them already sitting at the computer. A switch tracks in iTunes and scroll presentation slides and we can not Alfred. Then all hope for the community, which, I hope, will offer interesting implementation of the work between applications. And finally - this is, as always, the price. 279 rubles - enough for the average user, who receives the order is not so much as you would like.
But be that as it may, Alfred Remote - a very interesting expansion of application functionality for OS X. I am sure that the community will be able to come up with and implement a number of interesting options for the use of two "Alfred". We just need to wait a little longer.
And what do you use? Standard Spotlight or third-party software? How do you like the idea of Alfred Remote? Share your opinion in the comments!
Price: 379 rubles