One of these features allows us to install the Threemote software without needing any extra apps.  I am of course talking about PnP-X with UPnP (you knew that right?).

PnP-X ?

PnP-X or Plug and Play Extensions is a nifty feature of Windows Vista / Windows 7 that allows devices to be enumerated (discovered) through non-standard PnP methods (ie: USB).  You see, with Threemote we need a driver.  Without a driver, we’re … lost at sea without a paddle.  The driver allows us to get the content from the PC, but to install a driver traditionally you need a plugged-in device.  So, PNP-X does away with that and remotely we can trigger driver installs.

What does that mean for me?

Ok, so chances are you don’t care about PnP-X.  That’s fine, we’re done with the technical details.  What PnP-X means is that you can use standard Windows dialogs to create your device without having to plug it in.

So, you’ve just started Threemote on your device, how do you connect?

Well, here’s how (Windows 7 is cooler for this but Vista does it too):

1) Go to start and click “Devices and Printers”

2) At the top, click “Add a Device”

Windows will go off and search the network and Threemote will respond.

3) You select Threemote and click next

Windows will then ask Threemote for some extra data and voila, the driver starts to download and Threemote has a connection.

4) Threemote will now appear in your “Devices and Printers”

You’re now connected and can start navigating PowerPoint slideshows, controlling music or whatever it is you want to do with Threemote.

Don’t worry, we’ve put enough help screens in to the device to walk through all of the above steps.  And yes, Android does it the same way .

Until next time …