Category Archives: data

myPhoneDesktop Review

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myPhoneDesktop Review is a post from: Best Iphone Apps Review Website

Developer: jProductivity
Price: $4.99
Version Reviewed: 1.4

iPhone Integration Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
User Interface Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 3.58 out of 5 stars

I’ve seen remote-desktop apps before—take VNC, for example—that allow you to control your computer from your iPhone / iPad / etc. This is the first time, however, that I’ve seen it done in the reverse. myPhoneDesktop is an app / desktop program combo that uses your computer to send data to your iPhone. (You don’t control your iPhone, mind.) While its uses are limited, it’s still a highly functional program.

myPhoneDesktop requires two things. First, you need the app on your iPhone. Then, you must use either the web interface or the desktop program (a free, simple program available for Mac, PC, and Linux). Now you can send data to your iPhone.

myPhoneDesktop allows you to transmit four types of data: Phone, URL, Text, and Image. In the Phone screen, you can either dial a number or enter a SMS. With URL, you can copy-and-paste a web URL, which myPhoneDesktop can open in Safari, display in the app, or copy to the clipboard. Text can also be added to the iPhone clipboard, or simply shown on-screen. Finally, Image allows you to show, copy, or save an image from your computer’s hard drive to your iPhone’s Camera Roll.

So, to recap: do something on your computer, and your iPhone will follow instructions. Once the data appears in-app, you can also do things like assigning pictures to a Contact, emailing it, or finding an address with Google Maps.

Everything works wonderfully; transfer of information from computer to iPhone occurs quickly and painlessly. However, myPhoneDesktop isn’t an app most would use every day. As an iPod Touch + PC user, sure, I find it useful to be able to add images to my photo library (finally!) without using iTunes’ awful photo-sync process. (You can still only transfer one photo at a time.) But what about the rest? Why would you need to copy large chunks of text to your iPhone, if you have your computer on-hand? If you need myPhoneDesktop, it just proves that Apple has failed in some aspect.

Still, myPhoneDesktop does what it sets out to do. If this sounds like something you need—myPhoneDesktop works. It’s just not for everyone.

[ myPhoneDesktop Review is a post from 148Apps ]


Are cheaper iPad 3G data rates the reason we’re still stuck with AT&T?

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Are cheaper iPad 3G data rates the reason we’re still stuck with AT&T? is a post from: Best Iphone Apps Review Website

It seems that AT&T may have made one last Hail Mary play in order to remain the exclusive carrier of the iPhone in the US. According to Wall Street analyst Brian Marshall, quoted by Computerworld, AT&T may have been allowed to hang on to the deal until the end of 2010 by offering significantly discounted data plans for Apple’s iPad 3G.

In the run up to the iPad launch, many touted Verizon as a shoe-in to become the next iPhone carrier alongside AT&T as well as to provide data services for the iPad. This never happened.

Although his claims appear unsubstantiated, Marshall, who currently works for BroadPoint AMTech, believes that AT&T, in a desperate bid to hold on to the lucrative iPhone carrier rights, made some serious sacrifices in providing a hugely discounted data contract for iPad owners.

Consumers questioned the need for another 3G contract alongside their iPhone when the iPad was announced with many pundits claiming that the price of the service would be key to Apple’s strategy. By granting an additional six months to AT&T’s exclusivity, it appears Apple was able to meet this target.

AT&T currently offers two data plans for the iPad 3G, one for $14.99 per month for up to 250MB and another at $29.99 for unlimited data. Neither package requires the user to sign a contract and both include free access to AT& Wi-Fi hotspots. By comparison to the competition, this is a very reasonable deal for iPad users and one that will surely have come at a cost to AT&T, which has struggled with wireless data loads since the iPhone was launched.

By contrast to the US, Europe has multiple carriers for the iPhone that are currently fighting to offer data plans for the iPad when it is released this summer.

AT&T’s network has long been criticized for a number of failings including dropped calls and poor coverage, notably so during a very public spat between the company and Verizon. Verizon launched a stinging ad campaign comparing its 3G coverage to AT&T’s while also aping Apple’s iPhone ads with the slogan “There’s a map for that” resulting in a legal back and forth between both companies. In response to AT&T’s suit that claimed the ads mislead the public, Verizon simply commented “the truth hurts”.

Verizon has reportedly conveyed to Apple its desire to carry the iPhone but, at present, it seems they can’t offer the right goods to seal the deal. Not even, it appears, the offer of a better network.

via Computerworld

[ Are cheaper iPad 3G data rates the reason we’re still stuck with AT&T? is a post from 148Apps ]


LockBox Pro

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LockBox Pro is a post from: Best Iphone Apps Review Website

Developer: GEE! Technologies LLC
Price: $2.99
Version Reviewed: 1.2

Controls Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
iPhone Integration Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
User Interface Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

I rely on my iPhone for everything. When I’m on the road, my iPhone replaces my laptop. Subsequently, my iPhone contains most, if not all, of my data-sensitive information, personal and business.

As a result, the need for a private, secure data storage app presented itself out of necessity. Prior to my iPhone, I used a Blackberry that came with a standard “Password Keeper” application, made specifically for entering/storing sensitive data, such as passwords, credit card numbers, bank accounts, pin numbers, private notes, and any other private/ personal information. I loved the applications simplicity and sorely missed it when I made the transition to my iPhone.

As a result, I tried several data storage apps in the past, all offering a plethora of bells and whistles; most of which I don’t need/use. After repeatedly entering all my data into a new app time and again, only to have to revert to another app for one reason or another, I finally settled on using LockBox Pro.

LockBox Pro is a simple, straightforward application that executes as advertised, without all the unnecessary features (multiple predefined forms/categories, custom icons, customizable categories, integration with other services, etc.) and desk-top companion modules. Priced near the middle of the data storage app spectrum at $2.99, it also offers a “lite” version, aptly titled “LockBox.” LockBox is ad-supported, lacks bulk data importing and has limited data-entry fields (sub-fields are limited to two fields per entry).

LockBox Pro offers basic features, including strong security (data is secured via Apple’s Keychain, which utilizes 3DES encryption for high security), the flexibility to add as many fields as you like to each entry, the ability to rearrange and delete items in your list and the ability to import/export data from your computer into LockBox Pro (and visa-versa) using WiFi.

Upon opening LockBox, the user is asked to enter a 4-digit code:
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After entering the code, the application “opens” to it’s main menu interface, which lists all entries in (unsorted or in alphabetical order, depending on the user):

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This interface is straightforward, user-friendly and easy to use, offering 4 options: Edit, Add, Import/Export Data and Un/Auto-sort.

Edit and Add allow you to enter and change or modify new/existing entries. Each entry has a Title, Information section allowing you to input as many rows of data you need, a Category section containing 6 preset options and a Notes/Additional Info section, again with multiple data-entry fields:

photo3
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Entering and modifying data is simple and straightforward. LockBox Pro is basic and lacks many advanced features of it’s more expensive counterparts.

Importing/Exporting data is also easy. Users simply enter an IP address into their browser to import, export and back-up data over WiFi, LockBox Pro lists its contents, which can then be pasted into a word processing file for storage. I was able to do so using Windows Notepad and Wordpad, but encountered problems using Microsoft Word.

And that’s LockBox Pro in a nutshell. It’s a basic, “no-frills” data storage application that I’ve found to be adequate, reliable and easy to use. Its simplicity is what makes it attractive, but at the same time prevents it from performing those advanced features found in similar applications. If you’re looking for a solid, basic data-protection app, LockBox Pro is a viable contender.