AOL offers simple access to remote PCs

15 March 2006

AOL’s Link2PC offers a cheap, simple way to remotely access documents

AOL is offering a service to allow people to access their work or home PCs from anywhere via a web browser.

Link2PC, launched this week, requires a subscription fee of about £5. Once signed up, the user downloads a piece of software on to up to two computers. Then, if they need to access their work PC from home, they simply access the Link2PC web site and log on. AOL said that users will be able to access, edit and print documents locally.

"Link2PC untethers the desktop computer, and it does so in a simple and secure manner," said Ed Fish, senior vice-president and general manager of AOL Premium and Subscription Services, in a statement.

"Traditionally these kinds of products were developed solely for 'road warrior' business travellers, and many required an instruction manual to operate. In the last year, we've seen a strong desire by mainstream consumers, small office/home office users, and traditional business travellers to use this kind of functionality. Consumers may need to access a presentation they left at work… business executives can access all of the documents and programs from their work computer without lugging around a heavy laptop and lots of cables."

Link2PC is secured using 128kbit technology and runs through WebEx’s MediaTone platform.