NeoOffice Impress is a versatile presentation software that has become a staple for Mac users. While it is a functional tool, many users wonder if it offers the same functionality and seamless compatibility or is better than other presentation software. However, it is worth noting that Mac has its own presentation tool ─ Keynote, just as Powerpoint is for Microsoft.
So, the question now is, why are users looking for NeoOffice Impress? Keep reading as we unravel the intricacies of this software.
What is NeoOffice Impress?
NeoOffice is a presentation software that allows users to create and edit presentation slides. It also has the functional features to create impressive slideshows with various animations and transitions to captivate the audience.
The NeoOffice Impress software is developed by Planamesa Inc., intending to provide Mac users with added functionalities. These functionalities gave users an alternative to mainstream software by keeping compatibility and formatting considerations in mind for seamless collaboration to make it better than Mac native applications LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice.
How to Download NeoOffice Impress?
In this review, we will focus on the two easiest ways we found to download the app for Mac. So, let’s get started!
How to download NeoOffice Impress from the Mac App Store?
Of all the methods discussed in this guide, getting the NeoOffice Impress from the Apple Store is the best and easiest way.
Apple Store is a secure platform that only displays applications compatible with your device. So, suppose you visit the Apple Store and find the NeoOffice Impress software available for download. In that case, it’s a good sign that you won’t have to deal with compatibility issues once downloaded and trying to install.
Moreover, downloading the NeoOffice Impress software from the Apple Store saves you the hassle of downloading and installing, as this process happens automatically. Once the application is downloaded, you can launch it immediately, set up the app, and start using it.
Here’s how to download the NeoOffice Impress software using the Mac App Store:
Visit the App Store on your Mac device.
Navigate to the search bar and search for NeoOffice.
From the search results, click on NeoOffice and then tap on the download button.
After a few minutes, depending on your internet speed, the app will be downloaded on your phone.
A quick disclaimer is that when we used this method to get the software, we noticed no option to download NeoOffice Impress alone. As such, you will download the full NeoOffice suite using the method, including the NeoOffice Impress. It may consume a few hundred megabytes of your storage space, but the important thing to remember is that the process is seamless.
How to download NeoOffice Impress from NeoOffice’s official website?
Another process we recommend you use to download the app on your Mac device is to go directly to the NeoOffice official website.
The advantage of downloading NeoOffice from NeoOffice’s official website is that it gives you great flexibility. For example, if you’re running a later version of MacOS that doesn’t support the latest NeoOffice Impress, you can download older versions of NeoOffice that are suitable for your device.
Here’s how to download NeoOffice Impress from NeoOffice’s official website:
1. Visit https://www.neooffice.org/neojava/en/index.php on your Mac device to get started.
2. Click on the “Downloads” button at the top of the page.
3. Choose a NeoOffice version compatible with your machine (for example, NeoOffice 2017 is compatible with MacOS Monterey down to Sierra, while NeoOffice 2015 is compatible with MacOS Sierra down to OS X Mountain Lion).
4. You’ll get directed to a GitHub library.
5. Click the link after the download and open the option to get started with the download process, or scroll down to choose to download one or multiple assets for the application.
6. Once the download is complete, double-click the downloaded file in your Downloads folder to open a Finder window with the NeoOffice installer.
7. Double-click on the installer to begin the installation process.
8. When the installation is complete, open the app, configure it, and start using it.
As you can see, the process is quite lengthy, but it offers more download options. This method offers more download options mainly because of Mac App Store security requirements.
How to Use a Remote with NeoOffice Impress?
Not every presentation software supports remote control, but NeoOffice Impress does. This remote control allows you to control the slides yourself rather than having someone else do it for you.
The NeoOffice Impress software works with several remote control devices that support the Martin Kahr open-source framework. For example, the Keyspan Front Row Remote or the Apple Remote will work seamlessly with the NeoOffice Impress.
With this remote, you can perform basic functions on the NeoOffice Impress. You can start, stop, or navigate through the slides while presenting.
If you don’t want to use any of these devices, you can use software like Remote Buddy or Blacktree Telekinesis to turn your iPhone or a Bluetooth-enabled device into a remote control. So, let’s jump into how to use it.
How to use Remote Buddy remote in NeoOffice Impress?
The Remote Buddy is one of the most common software users turn to when they need remote control software for their Mac. The advantage of the Remote Buddy software is that it works with the 2nd generation Siri Remote and mobile phones like iPhone and Android. The 2nd generation Siri Remote comes with a five-way trackpad or click pad, which you will find handy when navigating a presentation slide.
Apart from the Siri Remote, the Remote Buddy software offers users the flexibility to use a wide range of other remotes. And with the Remote Buddy software, you can control many Mac native apps and third-party apps, including the NeoOffice Impress.
Here’s how to use Remote Buddy to control NeoOffice Impress:
1. Visit the App Store on your iPhone and search for Remote Buddy.
2. From the search options, click on Remote Buddy and download it.
3. On your Mac, visit the App Store, search for Remote Buddy or IOSPIRIT official website, and download it.
4. Launch the Remote Buddy software on your Mac and iPhone and pair them together.
5. If you have the 2nd Generation Siri Remote control, pair it with your Mac similarly.
6. After pairing is complete, launch the NeoOffice Impress software and open a presentation.
7. Launch the Remote Buddy software with your iPhone and use the remote-like interface to navigate the presentation.
However, you would have to purchase Remote Buddy software to enjoy its perks. Most of the features available in the free version may not be suitable for what you want.
How to use Blacktree Telekinesis remote in NeoOffice Impress?
Another way to use remote control with the NeoOffice Impress software is the Blacktree Telekinesis software. This software turns your iPhone into a remote control.
Unlike the Remote Buddy software, the Blacktree Telekinesis software is free. However, the catch to using this software is that it involves a somewhat complex setup process.
Here’s how to use Blacktree Telekinesis software as a remote for NeoOffice Impress:
1. Start by downloading the Telekinesis software developed by Blacktree on your Mac.
2. Launch the Telekinesis app, and within the app, download the plugin Universal Remote or Uni Remote.
3. But for the app to work with NeoOffice Impress, you must edit the code in the uni remote.app folder.
4. Open the Universal Remote folder within the smart folder and then access the script folder.
5. Within the add-on folder, add support to map buttons for NeoOffice.
6. Create a new folder, copy the button script, and change each script to send the appropriate command by replacing the existing script code.
7. When done, connect your iPhone to your Mac, and you can use it to control the presentations in the NeoOffice Impress.
It’s important to note that using the method works through an internet connection. So, it may not be the most secure way to remotely control the NeoOffice Impress presentation, as other people on the network may have access to your devices. You can refer to the program’s manual for more in-depth knowledge of how the Telekinesis program works.
For this guide, we tried different methods of acquiring the software, but of all the methods, there was no way to download NeoOffice for Windows. However, the best alternative is WPS.
WPS offers the same functionality as NeoOffice Impress. It is compatible with all devices and offers additional features like cloud storage and file management across platforms.
Best Free Alternative to NeoOffice – WPS Office
As you can tell already, the NeoOffice Impress software offers several appealing features but also has some downsides.
Suppose you’d rather not deal with the downsides of this software, such as compatibility issues, limited third-party integration, and limited support and updates. In that case, you’ll be better off using an alternative to NeoOffice. The WPS office is one of the best alternatives to NeoOffice and is free to use. The WPS Office is a software suite like NeoOffice that comes with a bunch of impressive software for word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation.
When you download the WPS software, you get a full software package and the option to download several other add-ons to make your experience even more exceptional. For example, an add-on in WPS aids in converting PPT files to PDFs. The best part about using WPS for presentations is that it offers several slideshow editing tools.
With WPS, you can create and present text, images, videos, and even audio in a professional way. And when presenting with WPS, you can do so with a remote control for your convenience.
FAQs
1. Can I Copy NeoOffice?
Yes, you can copy the NeoOffice software and share it with whomever you like. However, if you’re copying the NeoOffice software with the intent to resell it, you must comply with the NeoOffice trademark usage policy. Failure to do that will imply you’re breaking the law.
2. Where Can I Get the NeoOffice Source Code?
If you want to use the NeoOffice source code, you can find it on the NeoOffice build infrastructure page. It is a GitHub page that provides you with details of the source codes of various NeoOffice versions.
Summary
Overall, NeoOffice Impress is a versatile software that meets the specific needs of users trying to create an appealing presentation document. It offers users several functional tools to fully express their creative side in the presentation. However, NeoOffice is only available for Mac users, which can be very limiting.
If you are a fan of the NeoOffice Professional or Classic versions but find the software limiting, an alternative software you can consider using is the WPS. WPS Office is compatible with Mac and Windows computers. It is free to use and offers users cloud storage, templates and resources, file management, and so on.
There’s no steep learning curve to using the WPS software. It is user-intuitive; it has a directory on how to use certain functions. So, if you cannot access the NeoOffice software, feel free to use WPS.
