Remote Desktop Sharing Reaches New Levels

Remote desktop sharing is becoming more accessible from the smaller devices we carry with us day to day.  This accessibility makes it possible to remotely interact with and through web pages  – which will very likely change the way we play… and work.

OK, so you can access and share your computer desktop using TeamViewer.  So far, that’s been the best way to connect remotely.  You can even connect using an Android phone or iPhone and remotely control your desktop.  There is also an app called Chrome Remote Desktop that allows TeamViewer-style screen sharing between computers through the Chrome web browser, although I cannot connect through my smart phone.  This is a great start, but there are other remote access capabilities that are available.

Currently, there are a few apps that allow you to stream content to your AppleTV or Smart TV through specific channels.  ZappoTV or iMediaShare Lite, both free apps, allow you to browse specific channels using your smart phone.  These channels include YouTube, CNN, TED Talks, Crackle and more.  You can also share your own video, music and photo galleries, wirelessly, on your TV.

Using the Chrome browser, Google now allows you to sync your browsers from one device to another, simply by signing in to your account.  This means that all your settings and data, such as bookmarks, apps, extensions, themes, etc., are the same on whichever device you are using, be it a laptop, smartphone or desktop computer.  The useful side of this feature is that these settings are securely stored in your Google Account so that you cannot lose them if something happens to your device (like the time my phone fell out of my shirt pocket…. into the toilet!)  In addition, changing the settings on one device will change the settings on all your others when you sign in using Chrome. The cool side of this feature is that you can sync tabs between devices. The next time you have to run to a client meeting, simply sync Chrome on your phone to your account. Then you can open on your phone whatever tab you left open on your computer back at the office. Get to another computer, sign in using Chrome and re-sync to open that tab there.  You don’t have to save the link, email it to yourself, or even bookmark it.

OK, now the candy.  The examples above may be only the start.

There is now the capability to control what goes on in your browser with your smart phone using some of the latest HTML5 capabilities.  The Chrome browser is the first to really embrace some of this technology.  Google has released a game called “World Wide Maze” that you access through your computer’s Chrome browser, but control through your smart phone’s Chrome browser.  By going to chrome.com/maze, you can turn any web page into a maze through which you roll a ball by tilting your smart phone!  The game uses some HTML5 technology which is not available in other browsers, yet.

While the gaming possibilities are clear, there are collaborative possibilities in this technology as well, from artistic workspaces (see Plink http://labs.dinahmoe.com/plink/ in Google’s Chrome browser for a musical example) to online forums and conferences.  I could also imagine online presentations that are controlled remotely through a smart phone or other device.

P.S.  Just for fun, if you like the trendy Harlem Shake videos, you can now get your favorite web site to do the Shake:http://hsmaker.com/