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Toshiba is not first with phone-to-PC remote control. But... why do it?

You can, if you're mad enough, open up a Bluetooth link from your mobile phone to your PC. And then, if you're utterly insane, you can use the twelve tiny buttons on your phone, and the two-inch display on your phone, to see what's on the PC. Toshiba says it's a first...

It isn't, of course. Web based remote control programs like Laplink Everywhere and GoToMyPC have been around for ages. They're aimed at PC users, not phone users, but they work (not well! - but they work) on any Internet terminal; and a good GPRS phone will do it.

Even better, there are already systems like Pockethub  which make it easy for ordinary phone users - not necessarily smartphone owners - to reach their home PC.

But Toshiba's Ubiquitous Viewer will actually work over Bluetooth. The question has to be asked: "Why?"

Commercially, the software is going to be aimed at remote users, who will call up their desktop PC from phones on the KDDI network. This is described as a 3G network; it actually uses the CDMA-based 1XEvDO (Evolution Data Only) technology, and operates in Japan and possibly Australia, with the potential to be offered in the US shortly.

According to Computerworld, the software will use advanced compression, and innovative UI to function satisfactorily. Just how "satisfactory?"

Try this quote from ComputerWorld: "Ubiquitous Viewer can remotely switch on PCs that support the Wake-on-LAN function, a common feature that enables a PC to be switched on when traffic is sent to it across a network," said Nobuo Shimizu, senior specialist at Toshiba's software engineering centre.

The report explains: "The mobile phone's keypad is automatically set by the software so that it becomes a virtual QWERTY keyboard. For example, the mobile phone's cursor pad can mimic the functions of a mouse, and the 1-9 keys can become shortcut, enter, delete, tab and other types of keys found on QWERTY keyboards. Users can also create their own shortcuts and settings."

Frankly, the deal sounds no better, from a usability point of view, than the simple software and service solution offered by PocketHub - and there's an  interactive demo available there to try out.

Toshiba says that it compresses the amount of screen data by 97%, and allows you to scroll about the virtual megapixel computer screen on your quarter-VGA phone. But as for using it over Bluetooth... I have a serious suggestion: put the phone down, and go and use the PC keyboard and screen.