09 Oct 11 Chrome Extension From Google Simplifies Remote Desktop
It was mentioned some time ago that Chrome OS would support remote access via a browser. Days ago, Google made good on its promise, though it extends beyond the company’s stab at an operating system — all you need is a PC with the Chrome browser and a single extension installed.
Chrome Remote Desktop comes straight from Google and, like most of the company’s projects, has begun its public existence as a beta. Weighing in at 19.1MB, it’s certainly not the lightest of extensions, but once downloaded it takes seconds to install.
Now, using Google services to facilitate remote connections isn’t new. Software such as GBridge and iTeleport use Gmail to auto-discover PCs they can access and cut away some of the pain of configuring a VNC server. But Chrome Remote Desktop doesn’t appear to require Gmail access at all — it simply requests some basic permissions and, once you confirm you want to set up a connection, will spit out a 12-digit access code that can be used by any other Chrome-equipped PC sporting the extension to establish a connection.
Early reports indicate that while the process is incredibly smooth for a first release, it still needs some fine-tuning in the responsiveness department. On my local network, I had no problems getting connected wirelessly over 802.11n or through Gigabit Ethernet, but these are definitely ideal conditions. A good test will be on-the-road over 3G, which I’ll be trying as soon as I get the opportunity.
In the meantime, give the extension a go. It looks like it could prove an excellent substitute for UltraVNC or TightVNC, especially if you don’t need the additional features provide by these dedicated options.
Chrome Remote Desktop BETA [Chrome Web Store, via Liliputing]
Article source: http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2011/10/chrome-extension-from-google-simplifies-remote-desktop/
Tags: Chrome Remote Desktop, Gigabit Ethernet, PC, VNC
09 Oct 11 Remote access through Chrome enabled by new extension
Approximately 17MB in size, the Chrome Remote Desktop beta launched on Friday of this week. It’s a separate extension for Chrome that allows users to connect to another computer remotely through the Chrome Web browser. This type of software is typically used by IT departments in large companies to access a user’s computer without having to locate the user in the building. It can also be used for helping tech-deficient relatives when they inevitably download malicious software that harms their computer. Chrome Remote Desktop works across different platforms and allows users to connect to Macs, Windows-based PCs, Linux-based PCs and Chromebooks as long as the Google Chrome browser is downloaded and installed on the machine in addition to the extension.
Once the extension is installed on multiple machines, the user simply clicks “Share This Computer” on one of the machines. This generates a one-time, 12-digit access code that must be entered on the remote machine in order to connect. However, if the user breaks the connection at any time, a new code must be generated to enable access again. Users on the remote computer will see a pop-up window on their machine that indicates which user is remotely connected to the computer. The extension uses Google Talk technology to send messages between the two computers as well.
Performance of the extension is highly dependent on the quality of the network connection as well as the speed of the computer. The extension doesn’t send audio over the remote connection, so users wouldn’t be able to hear a video playing on Hulu Plus through the remote computer. However, video without audio is able to be watched through the remote connection. If Google decides to build a more advanced version of this extension into the Google Chrome browser, this may encourage companies seeking lower costs on remote access applications to switch to Chrome across the company. This extension is currently free for all users of Google Chrome.
Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/remote-access-chrome-enabled-extension-185359081.html
Tags: Chrome Remote Desktop, Google Chrome, Google Talk, Hulu Plus
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