AirDroid – Control Your Android Device via Web Browser. View Pics, Send Text, Manage Files and More!
by Paul Wilks
Dec 7, 2011 10:08 AM –
Install
AirDroid is an already massively popular Android management application that lets you control your device via your web browser. Incredibly easy to set up, it is a powerful and useful tool for managing content on your Android. You can view pictures, send and receive SMS text messages, install and remove apps, manage contacts in addition to a whole lot more. Very powerful and intuitive, AirDroid is also free!
Price: Free
Tested on: HTC Desire HD
Content Rating: Everyone
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Vast array of controls from web browser to phone!
- Nice UI! (both phone and web)
- Android file management!
- Very easy to use!
Cons
- Device picture matching has yet to be introduced.
Features:
AirDroid is a exceptionally helpful tool for your Android device. Setting up is both slick and easy.
- Step 1: Open AirDroid on your device, it will give you an IP address and a password.
- Step 2: Visit address on your browser
- Step 3: Enter password
… and that’s it. 
Once you are ‘in’, the app gives you loads of controls. You initially have 10 icons to select from: Messages, Music, Apps, Ringtones, Files, Contacts, Market, Call-Log, Photo’s and Clipboard. Each of these lets you either search or edit your files, opening a small window for each and various editing tools depending on the file. There is also a tab on the right hand side which gives you various phone information such as storage and number of file types you have; so, how many apps do you have on your device, how many messages, music tracks and so on…
As an example of how the interface works here, Contacts opens up a list of your contacts, with the ability to edit these simply and easily. Ringtones gives you a list of your available ringtones and the ability to set these how you wish. Music lets you browse your music library- there is even an in-built music player to hear your sound files which is very responsive and works great.
The main screen of the web app looks, in many ways, very similar to a typical computer desktop- for most users then making it automatically familiar and easy to use. Along the left hand side there are options to create new contacts or a new SMS message, which can both be performed in-app, with a fluid and intuitive design.
There is a loads to explore here; the app gives you an incredible level of access to your phone in a very straightforward interface- essentially transfering the same file management control you have on your device to your computer or laptop.
The app itself, that sits on your phone also allows you on-the-go file management. Much like similar file management apps, you can view, edit, move, etc. and the UI here is very nice too- perhaps preferable to the basic file managers we might be used to.
Watch on Mobile
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AirDroid – Memory and CPU
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AirDroid – Via app, File Manager
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AirDroid – Apps list
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AirDroid – Task Manager
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AirDroid – Settings
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AirDroid – Browser Main view
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AirDroid – Desktop like, customizable experience
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AirDroid – Browser Main View, Create Contacts and SMS
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AirDroid – Browser View, that’s not a Desire HD!
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AirDroid – Ringtones list
Usefulness:
Hugely! Some things are just easier to perform on a laptop or computer than they are on a touchscreen device, especially dull file managements stuff. If, for example, you needed to input a load of new contacts, this would be a headache on a small device but perhaps not as much hassle on the familiar browser environment the app provides. It just feels so much more intuitive. Another small feature not already mentioned here is the clipboard; it lets you add stuff to your devices own clipboard for easy pasting, it works brilliantly.
Ease of Use:
As discussed, it’s incredibly easy to use. Controlling your phone this way is a breeze. I remember seeing the Motorola Atrix Lapdock and wishing there was a way of getting that functionality without the hefty price tag (this app adds the convenience of no wires!) Now, AirDroid is far from that level of integration- after all, you’re dependent on the limitations of browser access, but it takes a brave step in that direction.
Frequently Used:
This is something that depends on the user, but since I downloaded AirDroid (which was more or less just after it was released) I’ve used it every couple of days to access files. Another application for this might be remote support. Perhaps you have a relative who is a complete Android noob and has issues with their device. If you can manage to get them to install AirDroid, you might well be able to help them remotely via your desktop at home.
Interface:
Very simple, mostly very responsive although there is a very slight lag which, to be fair, you should probably expect. Both the UI via the browser and on the app itself are both rich and feel good to use, bright colours and simplistic navigation.