DeskDock: Control Your Android Device from Your Computer

Most companies are convinced that the future lies in hybrid designs that allow us to use mobile devices like a computer. However, there's one aspect that remains somewhat lacking: using the computer as a remote control for a smartphone or tablet. The app DeskDock allows us to control an Android device by sharing mouse, keyboard, and clipboard, as well as enabling drag and drop support.

Before WhatsApp decided to launch its Web version, the only way I could control my Android smartphone and type in the messenger with my keyboard was by installing an app (I don't remember the name; it was very old, for Android 2.x) that worked as a 'server' and shared my phone's screen in my browser. The screen had a red tint, and the server was very unstable, but if the stars aligned, it worked. Android's evolution has been considerable, and there are still platforms like AirDroid that let us transfer data from the device to the computer easily; however, what we're looking for is a sort of 'total remote access'. A good way to achieve this would be if the Android smartphone or tablet behaved as a second monitor, and that's where DeskDock comes in.

How DeskDock Works

The idea is that the user installs the official DeskDock app on the device, and then does the same with the 'server' on the computer that will serve as the control terminal. The free version of DeskDock allows sharing the mouse between the computer and Android, as well as the clipboard. The server can access more than one Android device (assuming it has the app installed), customize different mouse actions, and change the pointer speed. In the Pro version of the app, which by the way removes ads, the keyboard sharing function is also enabled, as well as drag and drop of links, images, and other elements.

Of course, not everything that glitters is gold, and although DeskDock fulfills its purpose, its server requires the presence of Java Runtime Environment 1.7 or higher. While there isn't much love for Java these days, it does enable compatibility with Windows, Linux (except drag and drop), and OS X. Its latest version is compatible with Android Nougat, and the minimum compatible version is 4.1.