It didn't take long for the iPhone's release for it to get a VNC client enabling remote desktop access. No surprise, then, that it's taken even less time for Palm's Pre to get similar functionality -- well, the beginnings of similar functionality, anyway. As the thrilling video after the break proves, it's possible to get today's hottest smartphone to connect to a VNC server, but rather sadly keyboard and mouse support aren't there yet. So, while you can watch all those wonderful command prompts and other windows majestically move across the screen, you can't touch a single one. Surely that'll be fixed soon, but will it be soon enough?

Android may be doing its best to exterminate Linux on the mobile platform, but a dedicated group of fans is doing its best to keep it alive and on the move. One of those is a G1 user by the handle ghostwalker who managed to get a full X-Windows environment running on his handset. Building on the already working Debian version for the G1, he installs LXDE (the Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) on top and then connects to that using the Android VNC viewer. The process sounds straightforward (as far as these things go) and is fully detailed at the read link, but as always don't blame us if you break your poor Android's shell -- and heart.

[Via Hack A Day, thanks Neerhaj]

Just when you think you've seen the iPhone perform its last magic trick (making you eggs benedict, solving the inverse Galois problem, a brief appearance on Dancing With the Stars) something like this comes along to make your jaw drop just a little bit more. Touchpad for the iPhone is built on top of VNsea, but instead of allowing you to navigate your desktop on the device, it becomes what is essentially a wireless, remote trackpad, which gives you direct access to your system as if you were using a mouse or touch device for input. It sounds interesting in description, but looks amazing in execution -- check the video after the break to see what it does, then go get the app loaded up and try it yourself.

Granted, Telekinesis is fine and all if you're dealing with a Mac at home, but for those trying to get a little remote access to their PCs through the iPhone, this solution ought to do the trick. Natetrue -- who was apparently frustrated by the mobile's inability to talk to his Wintel remotely from day one -- has taken the TightVNC client and apparently modified the application to play fairly nicely with Apple's handset. More specifically, you can use the iPhone's zooming and panning capabilities to move around your desktop, and all the clicking, typing, and drag 'n drop actions you'd expect from such a program are all being reported as fully functional. Best of all, all the code and insight you need are available gratis, so be sure and hit the read link to get your download on. Oh, and do share how things work out, wouldya?

[Via The Boy Genius Report]

If you've got a lot of friends overseas but no way to call them when you're away from your Skype-enabled PC, then remote services provider SoonR may have just the solution you've been looking for. Soonr, which currently operates a LogMeIn-type VNC service, has just announced a new app called SoonR Talk that allows you to make Skype calls directly from your cellphone. After installing the software on their home PCs, users simply need to dial in to their home machine through their handset's browser and select a buddy from their Skype list to call, after which the program dials their mobile using SkypeOut and serves as a virtual switchboard for routing the audio. As you've probably figured out already, although the software and service are free, you're essentially double paying on SkypeOut calls made using this technique (Skype costs + wireless minutes), so SoonR Talk seems best for  international calling or participating in Skype conference calls.