RSupport (www.rsupport.com) has a pretty nice looking solution although it isn't free. It lets you use a PC to view and interact with an Android phone over the internet. It is designed for helpdesk agents to do remote support for users with Android phones. You can see and modify all the settings, battery usage, network strength in addition to being able to do standard remote control. One cool feature is that using the PC you can draw on the screen of the Android phone and the user sees your drawing on their screen. The company is based in Korea but strangely enough the guy I spoke to is a Kenyan guy living in Seoul. So you can get support in Kiswahili. The one issue so far is that the client app on the phone needs to be signed by the manufacturer in order to be installed and not all manufacturers have an agreement with Rsupport to sign the app. You can still run it but you have to root the phone. Hoping to get Huawei to allow the app on the Ideos without root so if others can call Huawei and ask for the same... Josh On 31/10/11 1:58 PM, skunkworks-request@lists.my.co.ke wrote:
If you love working at home or simply just can?t steer yourself away from your desktop computer with fear of not being able to access important files you wish to work on?consider yourself liberated. That is now a thing of the past. With over 100,000 apps in store for you, courtesy of the Android Market, you?ll probably be surprised that there already are applications to help you solve your dilemma.
Take for example, entrepreneurs who constantly keep tabs on their business through the use of their computers. With the use of Android applications, they can easily manage their Android phones and features right on their desktops. Here are some of the fascinating apps that work wonders for you.
Bring all of your important files, documents, videos, and pictures almost anywhere you go without the need for a separate removable storage device. Dropbox fits perfectly into the category of cloud storage as it helps you store all your data and media on remote servers. Install DropBox on your computer and you?re all set to go. Drop away all your important files into your Dropbox folder, and it saves all your important files to be accessed later on any computer or any Android device you own. Show your friends the most embarrassing picture you have, or flip away to the latest issue of your favorite magazine. Even if your phone is stolen, all your files are kept safe in Dropbox?s cloud servers. Install Dropbox<https://market.android.com/details?id=com.dropbox.android&feature=search_result> on your Android phone so you can access your files from anywhere.
<http://www.androidauthority.com/managing-your-android-phone-wirelessly-through-your-desktop-29591/app-wifi-sms-communication-manager/> Wifi SMS Communication Manager
For those of you who love to send and receive text messages, then this is the app for you. Basically, Wifi SMS Communication Manager provides users a web interface for managing their SMS communication. This handy little app allows you to send and receive messages through your computer and access all the data with the use of your phone. You can quickly browse your contact list and send a text message to the person you have selected. Updates happen every second to make sure you don?t miss any conversation. Get Wifi SMS Communication Manager <https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tabsoft.mywifisms>for US$1.00 from the Android Market.
<http://www.androidauthority.com/managing-your-android-phone-wirelessly-through-your-desktop-29591/app-remote-my-droid-lite/> Remote My Droid (Lite)
Users who love the idea of actually controlling their Android phones from their desktops are in for a treat. The application is simple, it allows access to the user?s phone and lets the user browse through the phone?s files using a Web browser. All it takes to make the application work is to run the application and*voila*, you can start browsing your files from your browser in just a matter of seconds. For it to work correctly, your computer and phone must use the same Wi-Fi network or you can tether your phone. Get the free version of Remote My Droid (Lite)<https://market.android.com/details?id=com.droidcreation.remotemydroid.lite> from the Android Market.
<http://www.androidauthority.com/managing-your-android-phone-wirelessly-through-your-desktop-29591/app-remote-phone-call-4-1/> Remote Phone Call
Here?s an app that worth calling your attention to. Specifically built for the Windows operating system, Remote Phone Call is a neat application that manages your incoming and outgoing calls. The application allows you to search for missed phone calls from your phone?s logs and lets you call the person you wish to talk to?all right on your from your Windows computer. Ideally paired with a Bluetooth headset, you can leave your phone in a docking station as you go freely manage all your calls. Get the Remote Phone Call<https://market.android.com/details?id=justPhone.remotePhone> app from the Android Market for US$6.50. Free trial is also available.
<http://www.androidauthority.com/managing-your-android-phone-wirelessly-through-your-desktop-29591/app-lazydroid-web-desktop-44-1/> LazyDroid Web Desktop
Turn actions into reality and with a simple touch of a button from LazyDroid?s interface you?ll turn your Android smartphone into one powerful wireless workhouse. Take control of your phone through LazyDroid?s interactive UI and control your phone over the Internet, or over a Wi-Fi or USB connection. Send SMS, handle calls, browse phone files, view your camera, host Web pages on your Android phone?all from your desktop with the use of LazyDroid. Get LazyDroid Web Desktop<https://market.android.com/details?id=com.MarcelloAlbano.LazyDroidServer> free (24-hour trial) from the Android Market.
You Android phone does play ball with your computer desktop, but only if you have the right applications in place. Try these great apps and see whether they fit your needs. What other great Android apps for managing your Android phone with your computer do you use?