Uniquely Android: AirDroid

Uniquely Android is a series we started last week to shine the spotlight on those apps that take advantage of the unique capabilities of the platform and provide an experience that you wouldn’t find in most other phones. Last week we featured Plug In Launcher. You can read about it here.

If I had to pick out a set of apps that I can’t live without, AirDroid would most certainly be amongst them. It isn’t the only one to provide the functionality that it does (I’ll just get to that), but is by far the most polished in its category. So, what exactly is it?

AirDroid is an app that allows the user to control several aspects of their Android device from another device, via the browser and a common WiFi connection. Just switch on the app on your phone or tablet, launch web.airdroid.com, and type in the pass code displayed on your Android device or (my personal choice) scan the QR code displayed in the browser.

After that, you’re displayed with a “desktop” within the browser through which you can perform several actions such as sending and receiving messages, transfer files over WiFi, view the media on your device and transfer it if you desire, install apps, browse through contacts, push URLs and even add text to the clipboard.

Personally, my main uses are file transfer (I don’t remember the last time I connected my phone via USB for a file transfer) and sending messages when I’m working, and would rather not pick up my phone and type it out. Though it’s not perfect, I sometimes even connect my phone to my tablet, particularly when I’m reading a book or something. It’s an amazing little tool to have.

You can download AirDroid over here.

 

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