What are the options for remotely updating Android app settings?

I have an Android device that I use to monitor multiple sensors with the application I created. What are some useful ways to update settings in my application (while it works in a remote location) from my computer? I am interested in sending a message to my application to tell him to email a screenshot, change the sampling rate, etc. Workarounds are offered.

I already looked at C2DM and, unfortunately, had no experience setting up the required third-party application server.