Another of the very cool features we saw during the Android 2.2. Froyo announcement at Google IO was the "Chrome to Phone" extension, available for Google's Chrome browser. In a nutshell, it sends a web page from your desktop or laptop browser to your phone, in just a matter of seconds. Here's how you do it:
- Download the Chrome to Phone extension for the Chrome browser.
- Download the Chrome to Phone app for Android 2.2. [Download directly on your phone here.]
- Install both, and "Register" both.
- To send a page, just click the "Chrome to Phone" icon on the Chrome browser.
It's stupidly simple, and we're already tweaking this some to send files and what not to Froyo in just a matter of clicks.
Oh, you want more? OK. How about a Firefox extension? Sure thing. Snag it here. Then just right-click on a page to send it to your phone. Check out the Chrome to Home project homepage if you want to know more, and check out our video of it in action after the break.
(Thanks, Jerry! Find a cool new feature in Froyo and want to tell the world about it? E-mail us here and we'll make you famous!)
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20 Comments
Your killing me with all these Froyo features... I just got Éclair 2.1 and now you're making me salivate for some Froyo! Ya know, your part of the reason we're all hitting the forums asking when our carriers are going to update our phone!! Not that I'm complaining... it's just that 2.1 was somewhat of a letdown and 2.2 looks amazing. I wish VZ just waited to update the Droid and Eris strait to Froyo.
Brahahhaahgharhg. ClicktoPhone looks amazing
I gotta say. Its frustrating to hear about 2.1, WAIT for it to come to the Droid, then not too long after 2.1 gets shat all over by 2.2.
alds;fjalksdjf. Altho its an odd, happy frustration.
(Paitentily awaits 2.2 for Droid)
Honestly, to looks cool, but I'm left wondering why? Not why it looks cool - but simply why is this useful?
I think it's very useful. I think it will be even more useful when it comes to finding an address on your computer and then sending it straight to your phone for Maps/Navigation. Or how you can send a phone number to it from the web, rather than having to type in the number on your phone. It just streamlines everything, it seems.
Umm because there are times I'm on my way out the door and want to finish an article. Now I can "take it with me" without needing to search it out.
it would be useful to me... I can think about all of the times I have been on a stores website and had to print the product page for what I am looking at so I can bring it with me... now just sent the link to phone and done...
Thats the greatest video and andROID RAGE ive ever seen :)
When I saw the video at IO, I $@!% bricks.
however I am disappointed that is is not baked into Chrome like other features are. I access the internet via several(4+) different computers and managing extentions is pain Id rather avoid by using Chrome naked. IMO it should be 'Send to phone?' yes 'enter your number or account' (if not already signed in of course).
either that or extentions should be on the cloud, then I would be more excited.
i have about 5-10 seconds delay, but it's cool.
Downloaded & loving it. Is anyone able to get anything from maps.google.com to send successfully? I've tried a couple of different areas, with no success. It opens up the Maps application, which is good, but the app never moves beyond my current location. Loading maps & directions seems like one of the best uses for this feature, sucks that it is broken (for me at least).
As I said above I also thought that this was one of the best uses of the feature. I'm using an Incredible so I can't yet try it out, but that would really suck if it wasn't working.
I stand corrected. The Maps/directions functionality works, just takes a bit of attention to detail. 2 things:
1) In the app's settings on your phone, the "Launch to browser/maps directly" box is checked off.
2) When you're viewing a map or a set of directions, sometimes you need to click on the "link" option in Google maps (upper-right hand area), then copy that into the browser's address box. That's how I got it to work. Later, I was able to make it work without doing this, even though it didn't work the first time.
Regardless, it will work with a bit of finesse. And when it works, it works great. I generated directions, and the directions screen automatically popped up in the Maps app. If you're a Navigator type, the option is there for GPS Nav and you're set.
Source info: http://code.google.com/p/chrometophone/issues/detail?id=12
This looks great and I can't wait for the 2.2 OTA but I've been taking web pages to the phone with "QRcode To Go" since 1.6!
I don't understand why this is useful. At all. If I have my computer with me, why would I use the internet on my phone? And if I don't have my computer, I can just go to the website on my phone as it is. I don't see why this is useful at all. It seems like just an extra feature that gets nothing useful accomplished.
Because this is the beginning. Imagine tying this into some sort of group account and sending a google doc page right to someone in the field's phone.
Or highlighting a file in your dropbox account on the PC, and sending it right to your phone instead of using something like the dropbox apk. What you're seeing is the first part of the fabled wireless market sync.
Why is it useful? It's another step toward greater productivity and even more useful and user friendly handsets.
chrome extension link seems not to work anymore...
Same for me....links to error page and nothing found in chromes extensions. Has it been deleted?
***Nevermind...I just googled chrometophone and it took me straight to the first page in the above video. I can't wait for the Evo & Froyo!
http://code.google.com/p/chrometophone/downloads/list
I can't get my device (DROID w/ 2.2) to register, tried wifi and 3G several times...any help?