Run out of space on your desktop? There is no need to rush out to the shops to buy a new monitor, particularly if you are one of the millions of people who own an iPhone or iPad, or an Android tablet or mobile. iDisplay is a tool that can be used to transform your mobile device into a second display for your Mac or PC so you can take advantage of a little extra desktop workspace.

The software is made up of two different components – the desktop software which needs to be installed on your PC or Mac, and the mobile app which is available for both iOS and Android – and you have the option of connecting over a USB connection, or wifi. iDisplay can be used in to different mode with the first turning your mobile device into an extension of your desktop, and the second enabling you to mirror what you see on your monitor.

iDisplay can be used in various ways. If you have your computer connected to your TV, you could use your phone to house an onscreen remote so you can control playback from the sofa. When you are working at your desk, you can limit distractions by using your tablet’s screen to display your Twitter feed or Facebook timeline. It can also be used to move control panels out of the way of other program windows.

iDisplay has numerous benefits over a regular monitor, the first of which is portability. While it is possible to change the configuration of a multi-monitor setup, cables and desktop space mean that this is not going to be something you want to do all that often. In the case of iDisplay, all you need to do is re-position your phone or tablet and then use the configuration tool to indicate where it is in relation to your monitor. The wireless aspect means that it is also possible to use the app to keep an eye on your desktop when you step away from your computer, so you need never be out of touch.