While there are ways to access your computer remotely, but this facility could soon come to your browser. Reportedly, Google is working on a Chrome remote desktop app, which will let you access your or your friend’s computer over the Internet. This facility will be valid for Android. Dubbed Chromoting, it will most likely be released as a mobile version for the current Chrome Remote Desktop offering.
This new feature was first brought to notice by developer and Google open-source Chromium evangelist named François Beaufort. He pointed at the Chromium code review with this description: “Add the beginnings of a Chromoting Android app.”
The reason he wrote beginnings was most likely because of the limited capabilities it offer. Here they are:
Authenticate using a Google account on the phone.
Query and display the host list from the Chromoting directory server.
Connect to and communicate with the host service over XMPP/ICE.
Establish peer-to-peer channels for communicating with the host service.
It is pretty much a prototype of sorts. For the uninitiated, the original Chrome Remote Desktop is an extension of the Google’s browser. First released as beta in October 2011, it can help you control another computer, primarily to resolve IT issues.
This is how it worked as reported by The Next Web: To authorize the connection between the machines, the app generates a code which you must share with the other person. So, for example, if you wish to share your desktop with a tech-savvy friend to fix an on-going issue, you’d send them a 12-digit code that looks roughly like this:
We presume Chromoting for Android will be similar, although there will definitely be some limitations due to the mobile platform. You’ll probably enjoy using the app more on a tablet than a phone, although Google will surely try to make it work well with both. We’ll keep you posted as Chromoting’s development continues.
