KDE Connect

For the longest time, consumers who were looking for a deeply interconnected ecosystem with flawless synchronicity between both hardware and software sides of products resorted to tech giant Apple’s offerings.

Despite other industry behemoths’ failure to achieve that level of integration, the open-source community which goes by the name of KDE took it upon itself to develop a secure and cross-platform solution known as KDE Connect, a versatile utility meant to connect all of your devices to a powerful and encrypted ecosystem filled to the brim with various functionalities that save you both time and energy.

All major platforms are supported by the service, making for an incredibly seamless and straightforward interconnection. When your desired devices are hooked up to the same wireless network, it is only a matter of pressing two buttons on each device for pairing them.

Once set up, the application automatically synchronizes all notifications so that the user does not have to check each device individually. In the case of connecting an Android phone to a Windows computer, users can use their mobile device as a trackpad or slideshow remote, which can be useful for presentations where a mouse is unavailable, or too cumbersome to use while standing up.

Moreover, the default Android keyboard can also be used to send text input to a computer, making for an excellent “smart remote” when hooking up a PC to a TV to search for what movies to watch on Friday evening. Another great function that eliminates the need for cables is the option to send files or web links from one device to another, resembling Apple’s proprietary AirDrop system.

Sending pings to phones is also supported, for situations in which you forget where you last left your phone or laptop. When gathering for group photos while placing your mobile device on a tripod, you can also take pictures using the program’s system tray drop-down menu.

All of the above functions can also be executed between two Windows devices, with the software allowing users to control a computer’s volume, media playback status and clipboard, which can be a lifesaver for coworkers who want to share text between their devices.

Finally, possibilities are almost limitless thanks to a highly advanced command-line system for extra commands, such as turning off, restarting or locking devices from afar. For more complex setups, one can disable any of these options individually by fine-tuning the plugin settings.

While Windows currently offers some degree of synchronization with mobile devices through its built-in Phone Link app, KDE Connect’s universally available range of synchronization functions take every interaction with any device to the next level, enhancing your productivity and easing your life in the process.