Splashtop's desktop-to-mobile virtualization app has just perversely enabled users to access their Windows 8 PC desktop on their iPad. Of course, this sort of VPN is nothing new, but it is the first time we're seeing it with Windows 8, much of which was designed specifically for touch input. It looks like all of the gestures are there, including multitouch to reposition tiles, leftwards swipes to go back a step, dual-pane multitasking, menu options on the right side, and icon options from the bottom. Latency seems low, which means it's responsive enough to at least play a simple pinball game.

Even as Apple fans, it's hard to ignore that Windows 8 actually looks pretty awesome, and if you can have a reliable, consistent experience with it through Splashtop while still having full access to the perks of iOS, I'm tempted to give it a shot.  Of course, for this particular set up, you need to have Splashtop installed on your existing Windows 8 computer (unlike OnLive, which hosts the remote Windows machine for you). It's worth noting that since Windows 8 is still technically in a developer beta, Splashtop is gearing this towards programmers who are interested in testing their apps in a touch environment.

If you're interested in giving this a shot, the Win8 Metro Testbed for Splashtop is currently half off, but even then, it's a little steep at $24.99. In any case, Splashtop's Win8 Metro Testbed looks like it works well enough. How many of you iPad owners out there are still using a Windows machine? Are you tempted to give Windows 8 a shot? Maybe there are even a few of you thinking of switching away from Mac...

$24.99 - Download now

If you're looking for alternatives, iTap Mobile has an app for $11.99 that uses the RDP protocol, which is native to Windows, so it doesn't need something installed on the PC. RDP also captures the vectors of open windows rather than simply streaming a live image of the screen, which means reduced latency and improved responsiveness. Unfortunately, iTap doesn't list support for Windows 8 yet, but Windows 8 supports RDP - it should work, right?

$11.99 - Download now

Source: Splashtop Blog

I just restored as a new iPhone with iOS 4.3.2 and found I was missing a bunch of Settings, including the top level Personal Hotspot, Notifications, and VPN tabs. I use these a lot so needless to say it was disconcerting. After a bit of deduction, I was able to get them back. Follow on after the break to find out how...

Notifications controls which apps can send push notifications. Since I hadn't enabled any push apps, I installed a Twitter client, it popped up the allow push dialog, I accepted, and the push panel appeared in settings. One down.

VPN and Personal Hotspot are enabled by the carrier file which is downloaded and updated separately (so iPhones can work on different carriers, with the features those carriers choose to allow). In addition to being top level, they're also typically available under General, Network Settings. The problem was I didn't have Network Settings either. A reboot fixed that.

Once Network appeared I went in and my iPhone began to detect the carrier file and settings, and then Hotspot enabled and appeared. Toggling VPN on in Network also forced it to appear top level.

And then everything was back to normal.

I hope.

Have you ever lost options in Settings? If so, let me know what if anything got them back for you!

Curious how to configure access to a VPN client on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad? L2TP, PPTP, and IPSec VPN support are all built right into iOS and we'll show you how to set them up after the break!

One thing to note is that you'll need to make sure you have all the settings and information about your VPN service handy. Some companies will not allow mobile access to a VPN, and some carriers limit 3G VPN access to business accounts, so that's another thing you'll need to check on before attempting to add one.

These screenshots show iPhone setup but iPod touch and iPad are similar.

First you'll need to configure your VPN by adding the settings for your VPN (in most cases, these are provided by the system administrator or IT person at your company).

To configure your VPN, do the follow:

1. Tap Settings
2. Tap General
3. Tap Network
4. Tap VPN
5. Tap Add VPN Configuration

6. Along the top you will see some tabs, you'll need to select which type of configuration you need. In most cases, you'll choose IPSec (unless your system administrator has told you different). For this example, I've used IPSec.
7. Enter the information for your VPN in the corresponding fields. If you used a proxy, make sure to enable it towards the bottom of the settings page.

8. Tap Save

You've now configured your VPN for use. Now you'll need to turn it on.

1. From your homescreen, tap Settings

2. Under the main settings page, you'll now see a VPN option, this only appears when you have a VPN configured. Toggle the switch to On

3. Your phone should connect to the VPN. If an error message pops up, go back into your VPN settings and make sure all your settings are input correctly.

That's it! If you guys have ever used this, let us know your input too. Have any issues setting up a VPN? Check out our TiPb Forums to get helpful from many of our awesome community members.

Tips of the day will range from beginner-level 101 to advanced-level ninjary. If you already know this tip, keep the link handy as a quick way to help a friend. If you have a tip of your own you'd like to suggest, add them to the comments or send them in to . (If it's especially awesome and previously unknown to us, we'll even give ya a reward...)

Remote access wizards Citrix have announced that they're getting ready to make Apple's just-announced iPad a fairly awesome thin client for IT types eager to connect to their bigger Windows 7 boxes (and hopefully Linux and others as well.)

It turns out the 9.7 inch display on the iPad with a 1024x768 screen resolution works great for a full VDI XenDesktop. Windows applications run unmodified and securely in the data center, and even multiple applications at once.

The iPhone restrictions of screen size and small keyboards are overcome with the iPad. The iPad looks to be an ideal end-point device that can empower users to be productive wherever they are and IT will be able to safely deliver company-hosted virtual desktops and apps without worry.

A good friend of mine who works as a network admin called me drooling over the idea of just such functionality right after the announcement. Assuming Citrix (and similar companies) can nail the interface, TiPb figures there'll be another business vertical taking a serious look at the iPad.

[PCWorld via Gizmodo]

Engadget honcho Ryan Block got his techie mitts on a pre-release version of the iPhone 2.0 firmware, and here are the highlights (and lowlights!):

Exchange over Wi-Fi is not instantaneous (!). No contact search he could find. New button in Calendar don't do nothing for him yet. App Store error's out. Cisco branded VPN screen. Parental controls are good-to-go. Wi-Fi order can be specified in prefs. Calc has new widescreen scientific mode and icon. And his favorite new feature -- Multi-Select in Mail!

Head on over for a full rundown and gallery o' pics!