Motorola Phone Portal enables WiFi PC-to-phone connections, browser-based management

Hey, remember Motorola Phone Tools? That overpriced app that enabled a select few of you to hack into your Moto and do all sorts of nifty things? Yeah, if and only if you were amongst the smattering of individuals lucky enough to get it installed and functioning properly. Now, it seems as if the company is looking produce a similar app with one primary difference: the new iteration is easy to use. Dubbed Moto Phone Portal, the Android program allows users to select WiFi or USB to connect to one's PC, and once the app is fired up, you simply point your machine's web browser to the listed URL in order to manage contacts, media, etc. on the big(ger) screen. Obviously, Motorola has yet to come forward and confess that this beautiful bit of code is actually real, but we're pretty sure Leakdroid's extensive hands-on will have you convinced.

[Via Leakdroid]

[poyo Posted Oct 6th 2009 11:12PM]

or I can just edit then on google contacts and media on usb mode. Maybe I'm missing the point

[John Doe Posted Oct 6th 2009 11:38PM]

Maybe because there are some people who don't want a Google account. Its the one big flaw with Android. It requires that you get a gmail account which IMHO if Microsoft did they would be handed their head on a platter by the DOJ or EU.

[Information Central Posted Oct 7th 2009 4:41AM]

Yep, you're missing the point. Some of us have been managing contacts, memos, to-do lists and other PIM data for longer than Google's apps have existed. Not everybody keeps all of their information on some third-party online server which can be yanked at any minute and is obviously inaccessible without Internet access.

Think it through. A proper syncing app is essential for any mobile device, and that's just another area where Motorola has failed utterly and spectacularly.

[hary536 Posted Oct 6th 2009 11:13PM]

Nokia has a beta mobile server application, which does a lot more.

http://mymobilesite.net/

[hary536 Posted Oct 6th 2009 11:14PM]

And it is free.

[John Doe Posted Oct 6th 2009 11:45PM]

Ummm as far as I can tell this isn't comparable with Android. So why are you posting it as if its better. Its like saying well Office 2007 on Windows is way better then Documents To Go on Android....which would be great if '07 would even run on Android.

[roosta Posted Oct 6th 2009 11:47PM]

@john. i think hes just proving its not a new concept and/or that its not a feature exclusive to android devices.

[hary536 Posted Oct 7th 2009 12:12AM]

roosta you got it right. Doe didn't
One more imp thing i pointed out was that it is free too, there is no charge by Nokia unlike Moto. This mobile webserver has been since a long time but very few Nokia users know about it. Nokia is to blame for their lame marketing and less attention to this product.

[John Doe Posted Oct 6th 2009 11:24PM]

And this has to do with the article how?

[gagan512 Posted Oct 6th 2009 11:34PM]

gmote ftw!
its free, does media AND will work as a wireless keyboard and mouse for you pc
http://www.gmote.org/

[hary536 Posted Oct 6th 2009 11:41PM]

gmote is a mobile remote. We are talking here about accessing your phone's contents and not accessing your TV by phone.

[NGnerd Posted Oct 6th 2009 11:38PM]

i'm wondering if this allows you to tether your phone to your laptop similar to wmwifirouter (which is incredibly awesome by the by). If so i suspect most american wireless companies will kill this (or at least not allow it to be a default install) deader than dead as they hate tethering almost as much as they hate their customers.

[John Doe Posted Oct 7th 2009 12:14AM]

Root your system. Many rooted ROMS have the equivalent of wmwifirouter. You shouldn't need to hack your dang device. But its available.

[seansf Posted Oct 7th 2009 12:18AM]

Looks like a Sholes render below the Wi-Fi logo.

[Valicore Posted Oct 7th 2009 1:11AM]

If you search for this you can find the APK online, it works on my G1, and surprisingly well. A pretty cool program. Search for PersonalPortal.apk

[skyshock21 Posted Oct 7th 2009 1:45AM]

Can already mostly do this with ConnectBot.

[Information Central Posted Oct 7th 2009 4:47AM]

Meanwhile, here's a relevant comment:

Engadget has some good items and occasionally funny writing, but please do a little research before you claim that a turd like Motorola Phone Tools lets you do anything remotely "nifty". This "software", written by Avanquest/BVRP, insults Motorola's customers by failing at every task and in fact destroying users' data. It is perhaps one of the worst pieces of software offered under any recognizable brand. It's a disgrace to Motorola and a real liability for customers.

Here's a review, for example:
http://www.epinions.com/content_229844160132

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 7th 2009 2:26PM]

I have used Motorola Phone Tools for years, it works great for me. You can easily sync your contacts, pictures and video. I have also used it to create ring tones.

[Information Central Posted Oct 14th 2009 2:12AM]

Sync them with what?

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 7th 2009 9:31AM]

works for me, using HTC Kaiser on my local Wifi connection, great tool thanks for the post engadget