Control Any Phone, Tablet, or PC Remotely With This $79 Mini KVM

People typically think of a KVM that supports remote access as something that would be found in a data center. Once this type of KVM is connected to a server, the computer can be accessed over the internet from anywhere for maintenance, software installation, and just about anything else that is needed. But wouldn’t this capability be useful at home as well? No, you may not need to urgently patch your desktop from the grocery store, but what if you need to quickly look something up in a locally stored file?

And what if it wasn’t just your desktop, but your tablets, phones, and laptops that were always accessible to you from anywhere? That could come in pretty handy! A new device called the GL.iNet Comet Q was designed for exactly this reason. It is a cross-OS remote control for nearly any mobile device. To install it, you only need to plug it into a USB-C port — no drivers required.

Unlike traditional KVM-over-IP hardware that relies on a mess of HDMI, USB, Ethernet, and power cables, the Comet Q condenses everything into a compact puck-shaped device with a single USB-C connection. That cable carries video, power, and data simultaneously, while an additional USB-C passthrough port keeps the connected device charged during long sessions. The Comet Q is small enough to fit in a pocket, measuring just 70 mm in diameter and 22 mm thick.

The device is designed specifically for modern USB-C hardware that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. Supported devices include recent iPhones, iPads, Android phones, MacBooks, Windows laptops, tablets, and mini PCs. Once connected, users can access and control the target device directly from a browser through GL.iNet’s web interface or by using the dedicated GLKVM application on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Because the system operates at the hardware level rather than through software running on the host device, it can continue functioning even when the controlled system is asleep, locked, or sitting at a login screen.

Internally, the Comet Q runs a Linux operating system on a dual-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor with 512 MB of RAM and 512 MB of NAND flash storage. Wireless connectivity is provided through Wi-Fi 6, while the device supports video streaming at resolutions up to 2K at 60 FPS with approximately 80 milliseconds of latency. A built-in 1.8-inch touchscreen allows users to configure Wi-Fi settings and manage the device without needing a separate computer.

Security features include two-factor authentication, hardware screen locking with a PIN, dynamic device binding codes, and support for WireGuard, Tailscale, and ZeroTier VPN connectivity. The platform also supports multi-device management, enabling administrators to monitor and control multiple systems simultaneously from a single interface.

GL.iNet has launched the Comet Q through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign with early backer pricing starting at $79. Shipments are expected to go out in August 2026.