Astropad launched Workbench on March 24, 2026, letting users control AI agents running on Mac Minis from iPhone or iPad with low-latency streaming. The app specifically targets desktop-only AI tools like Antigravity, Claude CoWork, and local LLM environments that can't run natively on mobile devices. Unlike traditional remote desktop tools built for IT support, Workbench is designed around the workflow of monitoring and controlling autonomous AI agents.

This pivot makes sense given how AI tooling has evolved. Desktop AI agents have exploded in capability — Manus (now Meta-owned), Perplexity Computer, and others can perform complex multi-step workflows, but they're locked to desktop environments. Meanwhile, Apple's Sidecar killed Astropad's original business model. The company tried pivoting to planning apps and accessories, but agent monitoring represents a genuine market gap.

Japanese coverage reveals practical usage patterns the original article missed. iPad users are actually running specific workflows — connecting to Mac Minis specifically to access tools like Antigravity for code generation, then returning to mobile-native apps. This isn't about replacing desktop computing; it's about extending desktop AI capabilities to mobile contexts. The low-latency requirement suggests users need real-time interaction, not just passive monitoring of long-running agent tasks.

For developers building AI agents, this highlights a deployment reality: your sophisticated desktop agents need mobile accessibility, not mobile ports. Rather than rebuilding everything for iOS, streaming solutions might bridge the gap while preserving full desktop capabilities. It's pragmatic infrastructure for the agent economy.