Don't even think about buying a wireless keyboard and mouse until you read this!

In my last Blog about the YouTube remote app I talked about how you would use this when you have a computer attached to your television or monitor. I also mentioned that you would probably have a wireless keyboard and mouse so that you can control your attached computer when you are sitting on the couch.

http://bestfreeiphoneipadappsbycategory.blogspot.ca/2013/03/free-youtube-remote-app-found-in-hidden.html

I do have a confession to make though.  I do not have a wireless keyboard attached to my computer.  I actually use my iPad as my wireless keyboard and trackpad for my computer attached to the television.  I have not seen the need to spend $70 and up for this when the iPad does a sufficient job for most circumstances.  Even the iPhone will do a fine job although the screen size of the iPad is an obvious plus in this regard.

So which is the best app to emulate a wireless keyboard and mouse?  I have been using Hippolite and more recently WiFi Touchpad free, but I stumbled on a new one that beats these guys hands down called Air Keyboard.  http://airkeyboard2.skygears.com/

Air Keyboard

Air Keyboard can emulate the native keyboard of the iPad and several others.  There is even an option to customize a keyboard to your own preferences.  Here are a few screen shots of what is available.

Native iPad keyboard emulator

Paint Program Layout

Laptop Keyboard

Laptop Keyboard 2

You do need to install a server application that works under the .NET framework in order to make this functional.  However, all the wireless keyboard apps I have tried require this as well so this is not new.  What is new is that you need to be sure to activate the .NET framework protocol in your computer before installing the application.  It is not complicated, but you need to follow the instruction foundon the website.  If you are using a Mac you do not seem to have to do anything outside of the regular installation.  http://airkeyboard2.skygears.com/windows-8-installation-instruction

There is a separate iPad and iPhone app.  Follow the links to download the one you need or both actually.  However the app for the iPhone is just ok.  It uses essentially the same native keyboard with no options.  If you only have an iPhone then I would suggest you download the Hippo Lite version instead.

iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/air-keyboard-for-iphone/id541873446

iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/air-keyboard/id446643462

If you are using ONLY an iPhone as your wireless keyboard then HippoRemote lite offers arrows keys and function key options unlike the Air Keyboard version.  Plus there does not seem to be any native iPad app available with this one.

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/hipporemote-lite-wireless/id357348996?mt=8

Hippo Lite Keyboard and Track pad

Here are a few images.

Hippo Lite keyboard iPhone

Hippo lite keyboard with function keys

Hippo Lite Keyboard with search recall

I would not recommend downloading more than one version wireless keyboard and mouse since you do need to install the server program for each one which could slow down you computer.  So if you are using your iPad and iPhone download the Air Keyboard for both.  You will use you iPad most of the time anyways.

Last point of note about WiFi Touchpad. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wifi-touchpad-hd/id394594812?mt=8

Wireless Touchpad Keyboard Layout

I find the keyboard to crampt and there are no other keyboard options so it just is not worth it compared to the others.  Here is an image.  

Wireless Touchpad

I also tried the app Remote Mouse https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/remote-mouse-mobile-trackpad/id431038047?mt=8 but you cannot use the keyboard in the free version.