Smartphone Productivity Tool

Lenovo announced a smartphone tool that allows you to more seamlessly link your Android phone to your PC. Called Lenovo Link, the hardware is a 32-GB USB thumb drive that includes a PC application that acts as a bridge between your Android phone and PC. After installing the Android app on your phone and plugging the Lenovo Link into your PC, you can view your smartphone’s screen on your PC and perform such tasks as SMS text messaging and video playback on the phone. You can also use any app installed on the phone.

Lenovo said its Link hardware will be available “later this year” and will cost $40. But it’s worth noting that there are other apps that accomplish similar functions for free.