Industry observers note that the whimsical packaging also makes the device easy to pick out from the crowd. If you’re looking for a simple way to wirelessly extend/duplicate your desktop onto a tablet/phone, or use your PC’s keyboard and mouse with those portable devices, J5Create’s Aero Drop does the trick nicely.
In a fresh development, this value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined.
Industry observers note that you can share displays as well as transfer files and leverage your PC’s keyboard and mouse on the mobile devices. The J5create Aero Drop is a wireless Bluetooth dongle (USB device) that in conjunction with client programs creates a link between your desktop/laptop and mobile devices.
Industry observers note that the most useful scenario is likely a symbiotic relationship between a desktop/laptop and a tablet, but I found the ability to transfer files between my iPhone and Windows quite handy as well.
As part of the ongoing story, i will credit unusual design with making it easy to spot a device among other clutter. For instance, I still use the SanDisk Crayola as my emergency-restore USB stick because it’s super easy to spot. Still, I can’t help but wonder if the Aero Drop is a bit too cute for the intended audience. I wasn’t completely sure how to react to the small chubby spaceman with a captive Type-C cable (JUAW22) that is the Aero Drop.
The report highlights that you can remove it entirely from the astro-body, or pull the helmet/head off and use the exposed Type-A connector with it still in the headless body. Now that’s a conversation starter. If you find it such, know that the dongle itself is actually a small, plain Type-A USB dongle (like those that ship with wireless mice).
In a fresh development, think 2.1-inches tall, by 1.6-inches wide, by 1.2-inches deep. The bare dongle is only 0.7 x 0.5 x 0.25 inches. Alas, this is only really doable on desktops because most laptops are too thin and space boy is, again, rather chubby.
As part of the ongoing story, beyond its physical attributes, the Aero Drop functions a number of capabilities all performed wirelessly via 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth.
Industry observers note that i suppose that would be helpful. Mirror to PC allows you to broadcast from your device to the PC for recording, though no actual control of the device is available from the PC.
According to the latest update, it’s like a local version of VNC, Windows Remote, etc. Depending on the resolution you may find the result readable, you may not. Obviously, a lot of that will depend on whether you’re using a phone or a tablet — with the latter having far more screen real estate. I found Cast to Mobile (PC display to your device) more interesting.
In a fresh development, there are also white-boarding functions available such as ink and screen capture. There are two Cast to Mobile modes available: Extend, where the tablet/phone are extensions of your existing desktop, and Duplicate, where it’s simply mirrored.
As part of the ongoing story, while iOS/macOS have AirDrop it doesn’t work with Windows. Aero Drop made transferring files to and from the iPhone, as well as my Android phone (which offers other methods such as tethering via a cable) a breeze. As noted, I did find the file transfer very handy.
As part of the ongoing story, but those transfer files via your Microsoft account, not local Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Aero Drop is faster. The issue there is, of course, Windows Phone Link and Link to Windows for Android and iOS, which can do the same thing.
In a fresh development, but that’s my bias and you should feel free to make use of what’s admittedly a rather handy Microsoft capability. I also avoid using my Microsoft account as much as possible (I log onto Windows with a local account) as I don’t like the telemetry involved.
Industry observers note that i would truly have liked to test the Aero Drop with my Macs, but alas… macOS is not supported in any flavor.
The report highlights that that includes the cute spaceman enclosure as well as the client programs for all supported operating systems and devices. The J5create Aero Drop (JUAW22) is $70.
As part of the ongoing story, on iOS and Android this was easy. To use the Aero Drop you need to install the Crosslink Wireless client programs and keep it running on the PC and devices involved.
In a fresh development, downloading the Wormhole Switch app from the Microsoft store was easy, but at first it complained about a failed transfer and wireless connection, and the Bluetooth pair screen refused to close, blocking my progress to the main page and settings. However, I found the Windows install peeving to say the least.
Industry observers note that i understand that the Aero Drop won’t function without pairing to other devices, but how about a dialog saying that rather than just stubbornly stranding you at the Bluetooth dialog.
According to the latest update, everything worked as it should, but geez… Annoyingly, a popup saying that the wireless connection was kaput kept popping up.
Industry observers note that j5Create said they’re working on these issues and they may be solved by the time you read this. I had no real problem using the programs once it was installed, but this was all a bit amateurish. Pairing of course allowed me to proceed to settings as well as my testing.
As part of the ongoing story, i borrowed a late-model iPad for the purpose as well. I did most of my testing with an iPhone XS Pro (I prefer the older rounder edges and don’t care about the most recent iOS at this point), as well as a Motorola G5 Android phone.
As part of the ongoing story, phone displays are simply too tiny to be used on a regular basis. As a one-off when you can’t find your tablet, sure, but that would be it for me. As to the display sharing, to me it was only really worthwhile with the iPad.
As part of the ongoing story, below is the desktop screen shared to an iPhone in portrait mode. Not unusable, but not great. On the other hand, sharing the phone display to the computer and being able to record it could be quite useful under some circumstances.
Industry observers note that sadly the swipe bar obscures the taskbar. This is accounted for in portrait mode shown above, but not in landscape mode as shown below. Bummer. Below is the iPhone with the extended display.
In a fresh development, mirroring lets you use your laptop/PC’s keyboard and trackpad. By far the most useful scenario for Aero Drop’s display sharing, in my book, is a tablet mirroring or extending a laptop/PC display.
The report highlights that basically photos, videos, and files in the user-files repository. File transfers were quick and easy, though of course limited on the iPhone or iPad to what Apple allows to be accessed.
Industry observers note that i would truly have liked to test the Aero Drop using my Macs, but alas… macOS is not supported in any flavor. All in all, the Aero Drop performed as advertised.
According to the latest update, have at it. If you have a tablet as well as a Windows laptop or PC, the Aero Drop CrossLink Wireless dongle is a neat way to share displays and peripherals.
The report highlights that if you don’t have a tablet, it might be overkill for simply sharing files — though I do prefer the Aero Drop’s local communications over Microsoft’s cloud relay.
The report highlights that he writes reviews on TVs, SSDs, dash cams, remote access programs, Bluetooth speakers, and sundry other consumer-tech devices and programs. Jon Jacobi is a musician, former x86/6800 programmer, and long-time computer enthusiast.