RemoteDroid
by n3rdg1rl
May 7, 2010 10:00 AM –
Install
RemoteDroid turns your phone into a wireless keyboard and mouse, using your own wireless network. Supports: Multi-touch gestures, better soft key support.
Price: Free
AndroidTapp.com Android App Review:
When I’m not a writer / reviewer for AndroidTapp, I am a network administrator and PC technician, so I love network based applications. RemoteDroid is on of the many I’ve tried and it’s not too bad! With RemoteDroid you don’t have to use you hypersensitive touch pad or carry a mouse for your laptop. As long as you have access to a wireless network, you can run the server application on your computer and just connect your phone!
Another use I found for apps like RemoteDroid is for video or music playback. I love Hulu. I hate that if I hook my computer up to the TV, every time I want to change a setting or a video I have to get up and do it. Yeah, I know, I’m lazy. With RemoteDroid I can comfortably sit on my couch and use my phone. I can even type in what I’m looking for with the built in keyboard.
There’s always a downfall for laziness. You always need to be connected wirelessly with your phone and the screen is always on while you’re using the touch pad so expect a drain on your battery.
Features:
As long as you have access to a wireless connection, you can benefit from this app. On your computer you have to go to www.remotedroid.net, and download and run the server program. After you start the server software, all the information you need to setup your phone is displayed right there. You open RemoteDroid on your phone, input the IP address into the box that pops up, click connect, and your connected. It’s very simple. It’s even easier than I’m making it sound here!
Once you are connected, you can use your Android’s screen as a touchpad. There are visible blocks on the bottom left and right, for left and right clicking. The track ball (if you have an Eris, Desire, Nexus One, Moment, or Hero) functions as a wheel on a mouse. Under preferences you can set your tap speed and cursor sensitivity. I highly recommend playing around with these settings to make it more comfortable to use.
The keyboard is also set up with extra features such as clicking the track ball acts as CTRL and Menu acting as ESC. The keyboard itself is the standard Android keyboard making it even more comfortable to use.
I would have liked to see the ability to browse and play media files remotely, but as most open source projects are, RemoteDroid is ever changing and I’m sure there will be more functionality in the future. If this is something you are looking for now, you can try out Gmote.
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RemoteDroid Setup
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RemoteDroid Server on PC
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RemoteDroid Touch Pad
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RemoteDroid Keyboard
Usefulness:
Couches are so comfortable these days and laptops can get so hot on your lap. If you use your laptop connected to your TV or other large screen, connect it up and cuddle into your couch still able to control everything. I also like that you no longer have to carry a separate mouse for you laptop. You can set it next to your laptop on your desk and no longer worry about that overly sensitive touch pad getting in your way!
Ease of Use:
The server program on the computer makes it so easy to set up the phone app. The hardest part of apps like these are finding and configuring the network settings to find your laptop. As soon as the server program starts for RemoteDroid it displays your IP address. Just type that into your phone, hit connect, and you’re ready to go! If you can use the touch pad on your laptop, you can use RemoteDroid just fine.
Frequently Used:
This all depends on how often you sit far away from your laptop while still actively using it. For Netflix and Hulu users who connect their computers to their TV, they’ll use it REALLY frequently.
Interface:
Once the initial setup is complete, there’s only two screens; your normal keyboard and the touch pad. Both of these are exactly what you would expect and there’s no learning curve. Just take advantage of the Preferences under Menu and you’ll be relaxing across the room in no time.