While we absolutely adore our Nexus One -- now that it's got a bellyful of that
fabulous frozen yogurt -- one of the most exciting Android additions shown off at Google I/O isn't actually slated for Froyo: the ability to
push apps and music over the air from computer to phone. The underlying framework apparently is, though, and thus a bite-sized version of the functionality is already available at Google Code. If you're one of the
lucky few running Android 2.2, you can get an extension for Chrome and Firefox web browsers that will let you push URLs, Maps and YouTube video links direct to your device using a Google Account. You can think of it as an early foray into a
Continuous Client, perhaps, sharing with yourself before you head to a business meeting. Better yet, share an account with a group of friends and push interesting items to everyone on the go. See how (and see it in action) right after the break.
- You've got a phone running Android 2.2, right? Good. Use it to download the Google Chrome to Phone Extension application here. Make sure Settings > Applications > Unknown Sources is checked if you're installing over USB, or use Barcode Reader (highly recommended!) to scan that QR code.
- Download the latest version of the Chrome to Phone extension from the same page, or get the Firefox version here.
- In your web browser of choice, log into your Google Account.
- On your phone, start the Chrome to Phone application
- In the app, add the Google Account you'd like to share with.
- Click on "Register Device" to link your account to the Google Chrome to Phone service.
Finally, open up that web browser, find something you'd like to share, then click the new icon in the toolbar to beam it to your phone. Now you're cooking with fi--we mean, now you can continue your browsing sessions, share YouTube videos and get those Google Maps into a form factor where they can do some good. It's not like you were going to memorize those directions, right?
posted May 31st 2010 8:02PM
Video not available :(
@creepin
They must have pushed the wrong link.
@creepin
It works on my ipad, but not my pc? Never see that every day.
@creepin
Thought everyone know about the extension etc. Dam I've had it a while.
What a gimmick feature, how many people are going to really use this?
@Xega I do, and regularly. It's pretty cool.
My HTC Magic has a sad :(
@Becauseitsnotgoogle2 Hey jackass, it's called Firefox. It's detailed in the OP, you know.
@Xega Yeah even I've been using it since the day after I got Froyo.. Very useful!
@Xega
I do all the time. It's useful when you're halfway through something and want to finish it on the go.
@creepin Well, video aside this is absolutely amazing. There's an updated version now, not sure if it was on the original too but it adds the push to phone icon next to your search bar on firefox so you can push any webpage to your phone. Why people are still so hooked on iPhone is beyone me!
So why, again, wouldn't I just continue to email said maps, YouTube links and such to myself using my gmail account?
@GeneralThade
You can just push it to your phone and it will open by itself.
@GeneralThade
Yeah this would automatically open your Google Maps for example. You wouldn't have to go to check email then click link. And that's just the beginning. I'm sure developers Will come up with clever uses. Think of listening to a podcast on your PC, and your leaving so the apparently has a button that pushes the time marker to your android phone and opens the podcast program and begins playback of file at same time you left off at.
@Bobbo I would like for me to send things from my phone straight to my browser too. That would be awesome. Like when someone text messages you a link, you could port it right to your desktop.
@GeneralThade
you, actually, probably still will. but you, for example, probably dont represent the majority of people who enjoy technological progress.
@GeneralThade
1) Because with this method it only takes 1 click and the content opens automatically on the phone.
2) Because mailing stuff to yourself is really stupid and inefficient.
@static Whenever somebody speaks of "the majority of people", all I hear is static
Dear Google/Motorola/Verizon/HTC/etc.,
Please expedite the release of 2.2 for the Droid, as well as all of the other supported Android devices, so that we may partake in the wonder that is Froyo, and features like pushing links from our PCs to our phones.
Love,
bravokiloromeo
@Becauseitsnotgoogle2
Haha you sound like you work for Apple, and even they provide a few updates for free.
@Becauseitsnotgoogle2 Thank god I don't have common sense. And...I really trust your opinion Mr. 'because its not google', I'm sure it is bias free.
@Becauseitsnotgoogle2
Anyone with common sense would know you're a fucking moron.
@n8equalsd ROFLMAO
Now, all I have to do is wait until Cyanogen pushes CM6 so I can use this goodie.
video not available :(
video not available !
Just tried to install the .apk on my Motor Droid just for the hell of it. Didn't work...said something like error parsing file. Oh well...guess ill have to wait till someone created a 2.2 ROM for Droid.
@Bobbo
The N1 builds aren't the same as the Droid's. :( :( :(
@Bobbo
If I had a shotgun...
This Continuous Client thing is coming along nicely =]
I just love my Nexus One that much more, I can't even tell you just how much Froyo really makes such a difference EVEN IN BATTERY life which was Awesome before but now batt life is just STellar!!!! Everything just quick as lightning and dang I was skeptic but it really makes a big difference in all.
@SParklingCYaNide
Is the battery issue common? What exactly happens?
One of my fraternity brothers has an N1 that he's had for less than 3 months and he had to get the battery replaced. Luckily, they do it free, no questions asked, next-day air.
Wrong Firefox Addon.
You'll notice in the Firefox link it says:
> This is an old version.
> Please use the newer "Send to Phone" https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/161941/
Oh and here's another C2DM (Cloud to Device Messaging) app:
http://code.google.com/p/jumpnote/
http://jumpnote.appspot.com/
And yes, both of these apps are awesome.
Android is coming definitely along very, very nicely :)
You missed an awesome feature of the extension. If you have text selected in your browser when you send it to your phone, that text is automatically copied into the clipboard in Android.
@anstosa
thanks for pointing that out. i wonder when we can do the reverse of this and print something from our phone?
@anstosa That's awesome!
@anstosa
That is pretty cool! Thanks for sharing
I'M JEALOUS.
This damn EVO only has 2.1!!
HTC won't fail us!
"stop trying to make Fetch happen, Gretchen!
its not going to happen!"
I've already used it. You can customize a set of directions (redragging the route the way you like it) on Google maps and then send them over to maps on the phone. Works brilliantly. NOT, at least for me, a gimmick.
WOW this is so useful - I mean considering how many devices actually have 2.2 on them....
FAIL
@TheJason Considering 2.2 hasn't officially been released by Google yet (the version floating around is a pre-release; the OTA update hasn't started in earnest), your post is FAIL
@TheJason
I love you
@Kaiser
I love how your defending a tutorial on how to do something on an OS that has not even been released - even better is the fact that people high ranked you LOL
Damn......this is so useful. I am using this already !
Rooted 2.2 is da shit !
They should be making a standard media player that can be wirelessly synced to, not wasting time on stuff like this.
@Shalabi
Who is "they"?
This has so much potential. Very excited to see more!
This is awesome, I don't have to use bar-code reader to push my pron to nexus 1 anymore.