How many of us have typed away at our laptop only to realise we needed something from our smartphones and it’s right across the house, plugged into a socket, charging?
Behold AirDroid, the app that not only allows users to send files from an Android phone to a computer wirelessly, but also allows users to send a SMS, take a picture using the phone’s camera and manage contacts – all from the computer without a cable.
In other words, this app allows you to take complete control of your Android device via your computer’s Web browser.
AirDroid has three main philosophies, one less cable, one less screen and one less worry.
One less cable means users can move things on and off their Android device without a USB cable, even when the device is not nearby. What this means is that you do not need to have your phone and computer on the same Wi-Fi network in order to access the phone via AirDroid. The only instance the phone and computer needs to be on the same network is when the user first register for an account with the application. Once the phone is paired up with the account, users need only log into AirDroid with a web browser to access the phone.
“Unfortunately, connecting remotely means you’re routing traffic through AirDroid’s network, so you’re capped at 1GB of data transfer. Don’t worry though: that’s actually a lot of data, as long as you’re not streaming media or transferring huge files.” – Henry Alan on Lifehacker
One less screen refers to users being able to send and receive SMS via their computer. This philosophy would be even better fulfilled if AirDroid could support what’s app, which according to AirDroid’s forum discussion is what AirDroid has been working on. However, due to privacy policies for both WhatsApp and AirDroid, it should be some time before the pined-for feature is established.
What impresses me more is the ability for AirDroid to allow users to edit contacts, photos, audio files and even ringtones, alarms and notifications, all via the computer screen. I have absolutely no complains.
Regardless, being able to send and receive SMS from the computer screen is an awesome feature. Especially if the SMS you just received has a web link or if you have a sudden need to tell someone something – like you love them or something? – Alright. How about that the draft someone just sent for that presentation tomorrow needs some fine tuning and that someone should COME ONLINE NOW?
One less worry is my favourite AirDroid philosophy. Not only does it locate and lock the Android phone when it’s lost, it also allows you to wipe all data remotely.
In addition, user gets to ask the phone to play sound if he/she lose the phone in the house. And the phone will not stop ringing until someone or something hits the “ok” button on the phone’s screen. For times when the phones are under those layers of blankets, papers, files or furniture. This is a life saver, especially if someone needs to be out of the house by the next minute.
In conclusion, I love this app. Just download it, you won’t regret.
PS. If you are really that desperately in need of accessing your WhatsApp on your computer, you can try installing BlueStacks (review and instructions here). Just a warning though that if you use the same number for your WhatsApp on both the phone and the computer, it will potentially cause some issues, which is also the reason why I did not try or recommend accessing WhatsApp via the computer.
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