Android Influencer and AirDroid CEO Anson Xiong

AirDroid is one of the most popular applications in the Play Store for a good reason. This free app lets you wirelessly tether your phone or tablet to your desktop computer through a browser. It enables you to transfer files back and forth between your device, sideload apps. And even send text messages without picking up your phone.

It’s one of those apps that reminds us why we use the platform. We do and why we wanted to get to know Anson Xiong, the CEO behind AirDroid. We asked him how he’s managed to keep AirDroid free for so long. And how the app could get any better.

How have you guys managed to keep AirDroid free for so long? Is it essential that it remains so?

Anson replied: For an app that is distributed to users all around the world to be really impactful, scale is critical. And by remaining free, we have a better chance to reach as many users as possible. In November 2011, we released the first version as a totally free app. Then, three months later, we got our first milestone; one million users on Play. AirDroid is still available as a free app; we’ve already crossed the 30 million users milestone. It seems a large number. But if you look at the larger picture, there are already more than one billion Android devices on earth. More than 95 percent of Android users may have never heard of us. What will happen if we change AirDroid to a paid app on Play? It’ll likely slow down our growth. We may never be able to grow our share of Android users. And instantly stop receiving feedback from those free users. We can improve the product with that feedback to meet or exceed their expectations. And thus, no chance for us to grow. The AirDroid team is still relatively small, and the cost is not our primary concern. Our other businesses are contributing a very healthy revenue stream to support the ongoing development of AirDroid. We’re very patient with AirDroid. There are still many exciting ideas that we want to explore.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in developing AirDroid? Technical constraints?

Anson replied: Our dream is to make information flow freely between various devices. To realize that, the number one challenge is compatibility, which means considering different operating systems, browsers, hardware, and networks. These problems require a significant investment of time and human resources to optimize. Along the way, our users give us great support. Many enthusiastic users help us test thoroughly and provide valuable feedback.Another challenge is that Android is less open than people think. Some system constraints still make some exciting ideas not feasible, at least for now. For example, interacting remotely with an app. It’s a trendy feature request but has yet to provide an app. All the hacking implementations we’ve seen could be better. There’s no shortcut to this. We still have a long way to go.

Where can AirDroid go from here? How will it maintain its status as one of the apps to have on Android?

Anson replied: AirDroid’s mission is simple: connect devices and make life convenient. We’ve accomplished only a tiny part of it. People are using Android devices, iPads, wearables, smart home devices, and many other devices. All those devices need to talk with each other better. There’s still a lot more to do.To us, it’s very fortunate to have enthusiastic users who give us feedback and comments that help us improve. One difference for us is that we also need support from mobile device vendors. For more deep integration to provide a more streamlined user experience.

How long have you been an Android user?

Anson replied: I’m a programmer. I’m obsessed with new technology. I bought an iPhone as soon as the first one launched in 2007, then purchased an HTC G1 in 2008. At that time, the user experience of Android was far behind the iPhone’s. However, the development of the Android ecosystem has been impressive, both in software and hardware. That’s why we continue to increase investment in Android.

What’s the phone you’re currently sporting, and why?

Anson replied: I use the Nexus 5 in daily life. My former Android phones were mostly Nexus series. The Nexus 5 is simple, fast, and easy to use. It’s reliable. I always test the new AirDroid on the Nexus series first.

What’s one app you can’t live without?

Anson replied: I love the apps that make Android more human.

The most frequently used one is Gravity Screen by Plexnor. It automatically turns the screen on and off using gravity proximity sensors when I need it. No need for me to touch the power button again. When I drop it into my pocket, the screen goes off instantly. It remains so whether I walk or run. And the moment I pull it out, it turns on the screen.

Another one is Sleep as Android by Urbandroid. It’s the first app that I use every morning. It’s an alarm app, but it knows better than my wife when to wake me up, at least sometimes. It works by monitoring the body movements through a built-in sensor to find an optimal moment to wake me up. Exceptionally, the optimal moment is optimal and brings me a pleasant morning. Apps like these make Android more like a human. It’s also our hope with AirDroid.