LogMeIn on Tuesday introduced in beta software that provides remote control of an Internet-connected Mac or PC through an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch.

To control a computer using the new Ignition software, the remote machine must also be running LogMeIn software. The company provides people and IT departments with free and premium applications for accessing computers to access files and programs or to fix problems.

The iPhone and iPod Touch software offers many of the same capabilities as LogMeIn's other applications, using the mobile device's keyboard, mouse, zoom, and scroll controls on the touch screen. Option settings include locking the remote computer's keyboard, blanking the screen, and modifying the screen resolution.

LogMeIn Ignition is in limited beta, and iPhone and iPod Touch users must apply online to participate. The new product is expected to be generally available through Apple's App Store during the holiday season.

LogMeIn released free software nearly a year ago to remotely control a Mac from another Mac or PC running Windows or Linux. The company also has released a product called LogMeIn Rescue for the Mac, a software-as-a-service offering that gives support technicians remote access for diagnostics and repair.

LogMeIn, which once focused only on PCs, decided to extend support to the Mac because of the latter machine's increasing use in homes and businesses. In the third quarter, Apple maintained its third position in the U.S. personal computer market behind Dell and Hewlett-Packard, according to Gartner. In terms of unit shipments, Apple had 9.5% of the market, compared with 7.7% for the same quarter a year ago. The company is expected to see steady growth in the education and home PC market.