Splashtop Remote Desktop – Brings your computer to your smartphone

Summary

I'm sure you've all been there: you desperately need pictures or files saved on your desktop, but even in the days of Dropbox and co you haven't saved them to your phone or tablet.

This is where Splashtop Remote Desktop comes in, because it allows users to transfer their computers to their Android device(s). Does this work? Find out below.

Test devices:
Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Android version: 4.1.1
Root: Yes
Modifications: None
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
Android version: 4.0.4
Root: Yes
Modifications: None

App details:
Runs as of: Android 2.2
Apps2SD: Could not be detected on the Galaxy Nexus
Size: Ca. 1.36 GB
Optmised for Ice Cream Sandwich / Jellybean optimiert: No
Optimised for tablet use: No

Permissions strike us as being perfectly straight forward.

“Oh darn it, that file's on my computer!” How many times have I uttered these words? Splashtop Remote Desktop to the rescue, because it helps relay not only files, but the entire interface, regardless of what your operating system is (MacOS as of Snow Leopard or Windows!).

I tested Splashtop Remote Desktop on Windows 8 which came out this month. Now, a lot of you might be wondering just how well this works. I mean, sure, you can bend your mind around the thought of Windows being on a tablet display, but not so much on a five inch smartphone screen.
It's up to the app to solve this—but before we get to that lets take a look at the other prerequisites.

Once you've downloaded the computer programme Splashtop Streamer you can install the Android app. When the streamer is running in the background on your computer you can access the app on your phone. The easiest way of doing so is via Wlan/WiFi network, in which case your computer is automatically picked up in order to connect it to your Android. And that's all she wrote: your computer interface can now be seen on your smartphone! You would imagine that navigating on such a small screen would be a nightmare, but the app has found a good solution as far as controls go and uses multi touch as well as smaller buttons to help keep things neat. You can scroll using your finger as with when using a scroll wheel.

If you so wish, the Android keyboard may also be displayed so that you can replace it for the Windows keyboard. This did not always work out during our test runs (the entries were not applied), meaning I had to resort to using the Windows display keyboard, for which a button is conveniently placed on the computer. Special keys – such as the Windows key – are provided in the form of a special bar, which was easy to use throughout our test runs.

I generally use Splashtop 2 HD because Splashtop Remote Desktop has not been optimised for tablet use. The 2 HD presentation and automatic adaption is much better on a tablet, and the Android keyboard works seamlessly. Unfortunately, this version is not available for smartphones.

Both apps do a fantastic job with audio transfer. As soon as a connection is established you can optionally mute your computer so that the sound comes solely from your smartphone. This is why I especially like using the Splashtop app for watching movies. Picture this: get cosy in bed and enjoy a film on your tablet. This works out much better than if I were playing the movie on my tablet or there were issues with the flash player. 

Splashtop Remote Desktop also works with 3G connection as well as Wlan. Simply sign up using your Gmail account—or so goes the theory, because during our test runs we encountered some difficulties here. I could not sign into the computer programme. I was, however, able to establish a connection manually, which solved the problem.

When you compare Splashtop Remote Desktop and Splashtop 2 HD in regards to Windows 8 I think you'll find that the Windows 8 Metro Apps can only run on devices that have at least 1366x786 resolution or higher. Few Android devices meet this standard. Splashtop Remote Desktop solves this issue by feigning a higher res. When using Splashtop 2 HD you have to set the resolution manually.
Both apps prove to have excellent connection capacities.
Please note that if you choose to use 3G you may have higher expenses as streaming calls for a lot of data.

Bottom line:

Splashtop Remote Desktop is the best streaming option that's currently available for Android smartphones.
There are a few kinks that need seeing to, such as the keyboard which sometimes goes rogue, as well as the issues with logging in using Gmail.

I recommend Splashtop 2 HD for tablet users, which is free to use when Wlan is accessible.
 

I think attention was paid to making computer interfaces easy to use even when operating from a smartphone. Splashtop Remote Desktop is indeed easy to use, aside from the glitch with the keyboard. Zooming in and scrolling works like a charm, even when running on the net-yet-released Windows 8.

Splashtop Streamer performed very nicely on the tablet. As far as smartphones are concerned, Splashtop Remote Desktop is stabile (contingent of course on Wlan or 3G) and fast with only minor delays. This means that you can sit back and watch a few movies without any problems whatsoever, or else get some work done.

Splashtop Remote Desktop is our app of the week and thus available for only EUR 1.99 instead of EUR 3.91 from the AndroidPIT App Center.