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There are plenty of applications that mesh some kind of desktop-based activity with the portability of Apple's iPhone. That's the easy part. The hard part is finding an application that offers some kind of unique functionality beyond the standard, "control X program with your iPhone" or "VPN into your desktop with the iPhone" deal. At long last, I think I have found that application: NumberKey.
Coming in the form of a freeware utility for your PC and a downloadable App for your phone, NumberKey transforms the full face of your iPhone into a keyboard numberpad that synchronizes perfectly with your existing input device. This might not be the best application for your average desktop user unless your keyboard's number pad is organized all crazy-style. However, NumberKey is a lifesaver for a typical laptop or netbook keyboard layout. Just don't forget to plug your iPhone in, lest you drain the battery to oblivion!
Download it here!
I must confess, Android-based phones just don't have as cool of paired features (yet) as some of the applications you've read about above. So if you happen to stumble across an application that you can use on your Android phone to somehow extend the functionality of your desktop, I'm all ears. Other than that, there are a few programs that accomplish this goal somewhat, but not quite to the degree that I was hoping for:
David Murphy (@ Acererak) is a technology journalist and former Maximum PC editor. He writes weekly columns about the wide world of open-source as well as weekly roundups of awesome, freebie software. Befriend him on Twitter, especially if you have an awesome app or game you're dying to recommend!
Remember Topify, the little Web App of the Week I mentioned a bit ago? In short, it's a way to better control Twitter follower requests through your email account--in fact, you can use it to perform all your following and "checking to see if this person is lame or not" activity straight out of your inbox.
Anyway, I have some extra invite codes to this closed-door service that I'd love to share with you. If you want one, scroll your eyes up to my Twitter handle. Friend me and shoot me an @message, and I'll DM you an invite! I will keep this up until I run out and, when that happens, I'll post a note on my own account.
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nsvander
December 21, 2009 at 2:31pm
Another good App is RingDroid, it allows you to cut up MP3 files from your SD card so you can set them to the proper length for ringtones and notifications. Pair it with Mabilo which lets you download thousands of song to use for ringtones and notifacation. Both are free in the market place and work on 1.5, 1.6, and 2.0 versions of Android, t-mobile and verizon based phones.
Pentium 0
December 21, 2009 at 2:02pm
Xpadder needed to be run in compatibility mode in Windows 7 for me. It says its not supported.
TheMurph
December 21, 2009 at 2:10pm
Yeah, that's the problem with the freeware version -- the paid-for version does support W7 fully, if I'm correct!
marshallladd
December 21, 2009 at 1:29pm
For Android, check out Gmote. Gives you the ability to stream music from your PC to your phone over 3G, and you can also use the keyboard and touchscreen of the phone as a keyboard or mouse for your computer. That one requires WiFi but it still works.
Same concept but different application is Nebudroid. Turns your phone into a functioning NES controller that works over WiFi for the JNes NES emulator. Also works on some online racing game, using the tilt sensor as a steering wheel, tip front and back for gas and brake and so on. demo vid from the developer.
Also, try using transdroid, then any ftp client you can download off of the android market and you have instant access to any song or video you want. Download to PC via transdroid. Download to phone via FTP(over a mobile network I might add).
And no, you don't need the brand new droid or a rooted phone for any of these. I do it on my G1, which is rooted but none of these require root access.
nekollx
December 21, 2009 at 11:54am
Has to be asked since it works as a mini monitor
"can it Play Crisis?"
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Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
