# SOS Remote

> Mobile controller for Science On a Sphere® educational display systems. (iPhone/iPad app by NOAA Science On a Sphere.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sos-remote/id476665630 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [NOAA Science On a Sphere](https://appshunter.io/developer/476665633)
- Category: Education, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.6 · 4 MB
- Languages: English, French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, Chinese
- Released: 2011-11-04
- Data updated: 2026-07-20
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sos-remote/id476665630/reviews.md

## What is SOS Remote?

SOS Remote is a universal app for the iPhone*, iPod Touch*, and iPad that is used to control a Science On a Sphere® (SOS) system.

SOS is a room sized, global display system that uses computers and video projectors to display planetary data onto a six-foot diameter sphere, analogous to an animated globe.  SOS is used as an educational tool to help illustrate Earth System science to people of all ages in a way that is intuitive and captivating.

The SOS Remote app affords greater interaction capabilities and ease of use compared to previous SOS controllers such as the Wii Remote.  With this app, you can:

• Adjust the orientation of the sphere in an intuitive way
• Control playback of datasets
• Load any presentation playlist stored on the SOS computer
• Quickly search and browse the entire SOS Data Catalog and select datasets at random to load on the sphere
• View a dataset's description and presenter notes while giving an SOS presentation
• Quickly create a presentation playlist directly from the iPad
• Draw on and zoom into a dataset loaded on the sphere
• Dynamically turn on/off dataset layers and pips and adjust their transparency
• Split the sphere into 2-4 vertical slices to replicate a portion of the dataset around the sphere
• Perform full alignment of the sphere using an intuitive three step process

* Note: The iPhone/iPod Touch support only a subset of the features described above.  The iPad supports all features.

Requirements:
• In order to functionally use the SOS Remote app, you must have a Science On a Sphere® (SOS) installation
• Wi-Fi or Bluetooth access to the SOS computer that is being controlled
• SOS Software Version 5.5.0

## Key features

- Adjust sphere orientation
- Control dataset playback
- Load presentation playlists
- Search and browse data catalog
- View dataset descriptions
- Create presentation playlists
- Draw on and zoom datasets
- Dynamically adjust dataset layers

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sos-remote/id476665630/reviews.md

### 5/5 — The one and only

*2013-04-03*

SOS Remote is a great augmentation of the SOS system and quite a functional improvement over the Wii remote interface.

## Frequently asked questions about SOS Remote

### What is SOS Remote used for?

SOS Remote is a universal app for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad that allows users to control a Science On a Sphere® (SOS) system. It provides enhanced interaction capabilities for managing datasets and presentations on the SOS display.

### What devices does SOS Remote support?

SOS Remote is available for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Note that iPhone and iPod Touch support a subset of the features compared to the iPad, which supports all functionalities.

### What are the requirements to use SOS Remote?

To use SOS Remote, you must have a Science On a Sphere® installation, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth access to the controlling SOS computer, and SOS Software Version 5.5.0 or later.

### How does SOS Remote improve upon previous controllers?

SOS Remote offers greater interaction capabilities and ease of use compared to older controllers like the Wii Remote. It allows for intuitive sphere adjustment, direct dataset browsing, and dynamic layer manipulation.

### Can I create custom presentations with SOS Remote?

Yes, you can quickly create a presentation playlist directly from your iPad using SOS Remote. This allows for dynamic content management during your SOS presentations.

### Does SOS Remote have ads?

No, SOS Remote does not contain advertisements. It is a free application provided by NOAA Science On a Sphere.

### How often is SOS Remote updated?

The latest version of SOS Remote is 5.9.0, last updated on May 26, 2026. While the release date is 2011, the last update indicates ongoing maintenance or feature additions.

### What is the age rating for SOS Remote?

SOS Remote has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users, including children, in educational environments.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.9.0 — 2026-05-26

In this version of the app, we have updated compatibility to support iOS 18.6 and above. The app will mostly look the same, with only a few minor layout updates. The biggest change is that all SOS Remote app settings and related information (like IP addresses and version number) have moved from "iPad Device Settings > SOS Remote" to "SOS Remote app > Settings tab". Before updating the app, please write down your Primary and Backup IP addresses so you can re-enter them in the new Settings location after the update.

### 5.8.0 — 2024-09-19

Updated the Live Programs user interface (UI) in the Data Catalog tab with the following:
- Added thumbnails for all Live Programs
- Added a Live Program Info button that pops up a dialog showing the Live Program description and other auxiliary info for the currently selected Live Program
- Enabled the search bar for Live Programs, with the option to search using Title, Keywords, Descriptions, or Contact (or a combo of those filters)

### 5.7.1 — 2023-11-28

Fixed bugs introduced in iOS 17 related to pop-up dialogs.

### 5.7.0 — 2023-03-09

- The ability to change the speed of Z-Rotation on the fly (i.e., rotation around the North-South pole) using the new Z-Rotation dialog
- The ability to change the frame rate on the fly using the new Speed dialog
- Display of the volume level and the ability to reset it in the Volume dialog
- A red badge notification on the Presenter Notes icon in the Presentation tab when presenter notes are available for a loaded playlist (this is applicable for both presentation playlists and Live Programs)

### 5.6.0 — 2022-08-23

- In the presentation file selector dialog (accessed through the Presentation tab's Open Folder icon), playlists are now grouped into folders just as they are on the SOS computer so that it is easier to find playlists.
- In the iPad's System Settings > SOS Remote section, an additional IP address field has been added for the backup SOS computer so that it is easier to switch between the primary and backup IP addresses when needed.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-20.*