At the Digital Experience press event during CES 2011 last week, Splashtop Inc used a Dell Streak to showcase its Splashtop Remote desktop software and newly released Android app.
Splashtop Remote allows you to control any PC or Mac (beta) connected to the internet via a local WiFi network using an Android or iOS device, which means that you can use your Streak to access your computer and all the programs and files stored on it. Yes, you can even do things like watch Netflix and Hulu from Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, or any other web browser because the Streak basically becomes a handheld version of your computer with all of its multimedia capabilities.
Considering that Splashtop Remote will work on just about any modern Android device (Froyo and beyond is recommended), it was a nice surprise to see the Streak on display at the event.
The desktop software is free and the Android app is $4.99, which is really a bargain for all the functionality you get. There are so many use-case scenarios for access to/control of your computer and let's not pretend that it won't impress your friends.
Local computers are discovered automatically, it works in both landscape and portrait mode, connections can be password-protected, and there's also an option to mute the remote computer so that audio is only played back on the Streak. Various on-screen gestures can be used for computer actions like clicking, scrolling, and dragging.
Splashtop Remote is one of my favorite new apps (it was just released last week) but there are two "issues" that may make it unappealing to some people.
The first is that it will only display on the Streak (and other devices) in one of two resolutions: 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768. Your computer's contents won't scale down to the Streak's native resolution, so you'll either have to pan around (which is very fast and smooth), pinch zoom as needed (also very fast and smooth), or deal with a letterbox.
The other thing to note is that the Streak and computer need to be connected to the same WiFi network. Despite its name, Splashtop Remote isn't designed to actually be used remotely over 3G or some other WiFi network. So you can't access your home computer while you're at work or on the road. The company should definitely be more clear on this point, as the word "remote" is very misleading. Update: With port forwarding and some possible re-configuration of your firewall and router, it actually is possible to use Splashtop Remote over 3G and other WiFi networks. Nice!
Even so, I still love being able to have real Hulu filling the screen on my Streak!
Nice!!!
I like it, but I will love to be able to “use” my home computer from anywhere!!!!!
Thanks for the info Jenn, useful as always!!!!!!!
The separate network would probably prevent me from getting it although the audio-on-the-streak feature is pretty cool for streaming downstairs.
There is a similar app on the market and its totally free, look for Gmote. You have the potion of playing it on the remote computer or to your android phone.Pretty awesome apps..
Or try VNC which is bascially what it is, I have been using mocha for the iphone and now androidVNC for some time.
I don’t really see the difference between the two.
wyse pocketcloud is probably the most competent
i tried to download the app, from the market, but i cant find it, can u help me
I just use logmein.com, which is free
Interesting software.
What’s that stand they’re using to prop up the Streak in the first photo?
I use Sling Media for my streaming. The $30 app price is a bit much but the advantages are worth it. One you don’t have to keep your pc running. You can use it over 3G or wifi. You get full access to live events. The picture quality is the best out of the apps I’ve tried, and you can stretch the picture to use the whole Streak screen.
I am more interested in the cradle than the app, anyone know what brand & how much it is?
Want my 2.2 that was promised 6 months ago liars dell liars go samsung
Just an over expensive VNC client.
AndroidVNC and TightVNC on pc does EXACTLY the same job…But they’re FREE!!!
Nice try Splashtop, But You Failed.
It rather looks an inexpensive photo-stand of the variety you can pick up for $10 at most any arts & craft store . . .
It looks like a stand to hold up a photo frame when the frame doesn’t have a fold out leg.
Thanks for the reply, will search my local stores, would make a nice inexpensive stand.
I find the “go Samsung” comments of the last few posts to be pretty funny. The Galaxy S phones have been successful because there’s one for EVERY carrier, and Samsung gave them a huge advertising push, NOT because they are perfect phones in any way.
Google Galaxy S “GPS issue”, “lag issue”, and oh yeah, those Captivate owners must love Froyo right? Oh wait, they don’t have it yet! Samsung can’t be bothered. If you think the Infuse is actually going to work properly, or get Android updates in a timely manner, you’re dreaming.
If you want Android updates on time, get a Nexus S.
ok then go nexus my only problem is i was told day of purchase from dell update in 3 weeks so dumb me 652 dollars later just so disappointed in so many tech lies dont get it why such a big deal to get updates and now i read about 2.1/2.2/2.3/3.0 what the hell pick one why so many god dam op systems makes me want buy apple the last thing i want to do on earth is own a apple product..
OH yea dell can kiss my ass never will i buy dell again ever ever ever…
ok nexus s sounds good to me fuck dell
this has been one of the best phones on the market in years. Between ATT and Dell the done fuck up this phone. Fuck Dell and Fuck ATT. Nope not buying dell shit ever again, Now on my way to Sprinit.
That is not a problem, you can set up a VPN connection to get “inside” your home or office connection from just about anywhere in the world.
This shows how badly we need a Streak II (Opus One) with a native resolution of at least 1280×720, better 1280×800!!!
Teamviewer rulez
I installed AndroidVNC on my phone and TightVNC on PC and really like how I can browse my entire PC from my Streak and it works very smooth and fast. My issues with it though:
- No option to play the media on my phone (Gmote gives that option but it’s not really an RDP Client/Server app)
- Any video I play (in browser or from local disk), the frame rate is low on my Streak and hence is not very smooth and of course no audio can be heard on the phone.
- Don’t know if it works over 3G
And if SplashTop allows you the above shortcomings of AndroidVNC then it maybe worth the 5 bucks!!
Please let me know if there is anything I am missing or if there are other free options available before I try the splashTop.
Thanks
why pay 4.99 if you can get the same result even better with free tools
works perfectly
there is teamviewer at http://www.teamviewer.com
and
android VNC at android market
if they make it free them we will give it a try