CloudOn for iPad

After yesterdays post on Online Cloud Storage, a friend informed me about a startling omission in my knowledge on this subject.  I must confess that I had not yet heard about CloudOn for iPad, so I quickly brought myself up to speed, and quite frankly - what an amazing application.

CloudOn was launched in January and in a nutshell, it brings Microsoft Office to your iPad.  It allows you to create, and edit Word, Excel, and Powerpoint files on the iPad, and the user experience is absolutely tremendous.  This isn't a piece of software that is trying to copy what Microsoft Office does - it is actually Microsoft Office.  How they have managed to get away with this in a free iOS app and not suffer the wrath of Microsoft is anyones guess, but this is a very very nice app indeed.


It doesn't stop there though.  This app was launched with integration to Dropbox, so you can easily save your Word document, Excel Spreadsheet, or Powerpoint presentation to your dropbox once you have finished working on it in CloudOn, and you can pick it up on any of your other devices where you can access Dropbox.


In addition to this, the App was just updated to include integration with Box, and the latest entry to the Cloud Storage Market - Google Drive.  This is absolutely amazing.

These new additions to the App really open up the possibilities.  When you add up the free storage available from the 3 integrated Cloud technologies - this basically is giving you the ability to have up to 12gb of cloud storage accessible to you on your iPad - all in the same App.  


I for one am impressed.  Imagine how much more convenient this can make things for you.  For example, you need to email a document which is on your laptop at short notice - but your laptop is in your bag and not powered on.  It's a real hassle.


If however, the document is on your Dropbox, Google Drive, or Box - then it is instantly accessible to you via CloudOn on your iPad.  You can quickly email it to someone, or you can make changes to the document, knowing that those changes will be instantly synchronized and available to you on your laptop the next time you boot it up.


And that's CloudOn!  Try it out.  I think you'll be impressed.


Peter

Outlook is Cloudy

Online storage seems to be "The New Black".  If you are running out of disk space on your PC or laptop, then you now have a wide range of choices to store and easily access your data "in the cloud". Here's a quick rundown of what's out there right now and how they stack up against each other.

Google Drive


Google are the latest big name to enter into the cloud storage market, with Google Drive launching just last week.  Drive is strongly integrated with the existing Google Docs service and when you sign up you will get 5GB of free storage straight away.

It's still early days for Google Drive but it looks pretty good and I'm sure it will integrate well into Googles existing suite of products as they continue to battle with Apple for supremacy.


Platforms
Web 
Windows Application
Mac Application
Android App
iOS App is in the works


Storage Plans
5GB:Free 
25GB: $2.49(£1.54)/month 
100GB: $4.99/month 
1000GB: $49.99/per month

Dropbox


Dropbox has gained more than 50 million users since being founded in 2007, and it could be argued that they are the real pioneers when it comes to this sort of technology.  Many of the big names are taking their lead from Dropbox's impressive impact.  In fact, they have been so impressive that it's a surprise to me that one of the tech giants hasn't tried to acquire them as yet. 


Dropbox's desktop programs allow users to easily drag files into a folder rather than the far more time consuming method of uploading them. This sort of innovation has set the standard for emerging competitive cloud storage technology, and they were also at the forefront of developing apps for the major mobile operating systems.



Platforms
Web 
Windows Application
Mac Application
Android App
iOS App
Blackberry App


Storage Plans
2GB:Free (extra storage for referring others)

50GB: $9.99(£6.20)/month or $99/year 
100GB: $19.99/month or $199/year 
Unlimited: $795/year for five users and $125/year per additional user

MicrosoftSkyDrive


Like Dropbox, Microsoft's Skydrive has been around for quite some time.  Initially know as Windows Live Folders, Skydrive has had a slight restructure in recent weeks in terms of their storage options.  This brings them more into line with their competitors but they are still the cheapest when it comes to "paid for" storage

The major change is that all users were previously granted a very generous 25GB of free storage.  They have now dropped that down to 7GB.  However, if you were a Skydrive user prior to April 22nd 2012, then you get to keep your 25GB which is nice.

This is the platform that I have used the most so far, and I have found it a tremendous way to get the vast folders full of photographs off my laptop and into the cloud, and they remain easily accessible on my laptop, iPhone and iPad.  

One of the other great features of Skydrive is easy editing of Microsoft Office files.

Platforms
Web 
Windows Application
Mac Application
iOS App
Windows Phone
Windows 8 Consumer Preview


Storage Plans
7GB:Free 

27GB: £6/year 
57GB: £16/year 
107GB: £32/year

Box

Box is slightly different in that it seems to be directly aimed at the Enterprise Sector.  Founded in 2005, it was one of the very first cloud-storage services.

Providing a wide range of applications for desktop operating systems and browsers, in their own words "Box provides everything you need to collaborate on content online".

Box is the only technology in this list that I have not personally used - so I cannot really comment on it with any experience.  I do intend to familiarize myself with the product and may post a separate review on this Blog at a later date.

Platforms
Web 
Windows Application
Mac Application
iOS App
Android App
Blackberry App


Storage Plans
5GB:Free 

25GB: $9.99(£6.20)/month 
50GB: $19.99/month 
1000GB: $15 per user/month (minimum three users) 
Unlimited: prices vary

Apple iCloud


iCloud keeps photos, apps and music synced across separate devices. For example, a book purchased on the iPad will be open on the same page when it is opened on the iPhone. 

Apple also offers its iTunes Match service, which lets you backup any song in your iTunes library - not just those bought on the iTunes store - and download them onto other devices. 


iCloud is designed only for Apple's ecosystem, and is not as flexible as other online storage services. Only certain types of files can be stored.




Platforms
Windows
Mac
iOS


Storage Plans
5GB:Free 

15GB: £14/year 
25GB: £28/year 
55GB: £70/year 
iTunes Match: £21.99/year

Conclusions


Cloud technology is here to stay,  It's very early days but its only going to improve over time and there are going to be a lot more options to choose from I would guess.


For the here and now, the ones that I use on a daily basis are iCloud and Skydrive.  I like them both for what they can provide for me.


With iCloud, I love that I can take a picture on my iPhone, and it appears on my iPad and also on my laptop and Apple TV.  I also love that I can backup my iPhone and iPad to iCloud and that I am no longer tethered to iTunes.  I am not so much of a music person, but I can see that iTunes match would  be very appealing to people who are.


Skydrive has given me the ability to easily move my photos from my laptop to my Skydrive folders, and their iOS apps for iPhone and iPad allow me to access my photos pretty much anywhere.  I am also very pleased that I was a Skydrive user before they took the free storage down to 7gb, I get to keep my 25GB (for the time being at least).  In addition to this, Windows 8 is just around the corner.  This, along with the ever improving Windows Phone platform means that Microsoft are going to be back with a bang in my opinion.  


More to come on Microsoft and WIndows 8 by the way in another post, but in the meantime - don't let hesitation "cloud" your judgement!


Peter  

iPhone 4 - Replacing the screen and back cover

So, I have this iPhone 4 and the screen and back cover are completely smashed and the frame is slightly bent also.

I quickly realize however that the phone is still functioning, as it is getting alerts for new text messages and emails.  After watching a couple of YouTube videos - I discover that replacing the back cover is going to be easy.  The screen is an entirely different matter however.  To replace the screen, you have to open the back cover, and take absolutely everything out of the iPhone.

I mean everything.  The battery, the motherboard, the speaker and antennas, the camera.  You name it, it's got to come out.  So I remove 2 screws from the bottom of the iPhone, carefully remove the shattered back cover and this is what I see;

Not wishing to bore you with every single minute detail, I eventually get everything out, and try my best to label and not lose any of the very many absolutely tiny screws that have to come out to release the internal components.  Once complete, this is where I am at;

In the meantime, I have ordered (at surprisingly reasonable prices) a new LCD screen and digitizer, and a new back cover for the phone.  Once they arrive, that's when I really run into trouble.

Tune in again soon for the next exciting installment!

Peter

Tech Review - Apple TV

We have a Samsung 32" LED TV in our playroom which is not connected to an Aerial, Freeview, Sky or Cable.  One of the great things about it is that fact that it has 2 USB ports on it, so it plays AVIs.  This made the TV good, but Apple TV makes it great.

This is the Apple TV, and you can pick one up for £99.00 in the UK.  Apple recently released the 3rd generation of the device which includes a brand new user interface and the ability to play video content at 1080p.

The device is neat, compact, and connects to your TV via an HDMI cable.  When you power it on, the setup wizard is pretty simple to follow, and once you have connected it to your WI-FI network, you are ready to enjoy the great features of the device.

Apple TV has several native Apps and the first few are all pretty much tied to iTunes.  Once you login with your Apple ID, you can access all of your purchased Music and TV shows (although not yet movies in the UK), and you can make new iTunes purchases also.  In addition to this, you can access the photostream feature that is available to you on iPhone, iPod, and iPad.

The other two standout native apps at this time are Netfllix and YouTube.  Netflix of course requires that you have a subscription (which is currently £5.99 a month - but you do get the first month for free).  Netflix UK and Ireland does not yet have quite the same content as the US version, but it is pretty good and they are adding new titles all the time.  I haven't regretted signing up.  YouTube has so much content on it of course and to have this available so easily on your TV is a nice feature.

Also included are Vimeo and Flickr, which I don't really use too much, but they are nice to have available.  The rest of the native apps are very US centric however unfortunately.  I would much rather have BBC iPlayer or Sky Go than Major League Baseball for example.  I guess these may come in future updates however.  I hope so.

The other standout feature of the device is the ability to mirror content to it from your iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Laptop/PC/Macbook if these devices are connected to the same WI-FI network.  When you play videos or music on any of these devices, you will see an Airplay icon on your screen.  Clicking on this allows you to project what you are watching to your Apple TV.

Some of the iOS apps that I have most enjoyed streaming to the Apple TV so far are BBC News, Sky News, and FilmOnPlus.  The Sky Go App obviously has some sort of encryption built in, as the Airplay icon does appear - but you only get sound or vision, not both. This is a shame.

The device comes with a very nice remote control. However, you can also install an App on your iOS devices called remote which allows you to use these devices as a remote control also.  This is a very nice touch.

So, in conclusion - I highly recommend this device.  It has come a long way in its life cycle to date, and with future software updates I can only see it getting better and better.  More native apps will surely follow, and more iOS apps will be updated to include the AirPlay feature.  If you decide to pick one up, I don't think you will regret it!

Peter

iPhones are smashing - A Saga Begins

I was recently presented with this iPhone 4 - which as you can see was in rather poor condition after becoming acquainted with the ground.

My initial instincts regarding this once beautiful device were that it was finished and that it may as well be scrapped.

But something started nagging away at me in the corner of my mind.  "I wonder", "What if" I started pondering.  Although I'm a total Apple Fan Boy, I had no experience whatsoever of repairing smartphones - but the thought of completing the seemingly improbable task of making this a working device once more took hold of me - and so began a journey of hope, despair, apparent defeat, but then ultimately renewed hope once more.

As I write this, I am starting to realize that this journey is best described in small installments so I will leave it here for now.  Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter in this epic saga!!

Peter

Grumpy I.T. Bloke Version 1.1

It was pointed out to me the other day that I had pretty much abandoned my Blog.  So, I'm going to try and relaunch it and keep it updated more regularly.  Look out for posts on iPhone screen repair, and a review of Apple TV!

Stay tuned!

Peter

Are you the person responsible for....

OK, I hate talking to people on the phone at the best of times.  In fact, I'll go to great lengths to avoid speaking to people on the phone. 

If a number comes up that I don't recognize, or it's blocked - then I won't answer it as chances are it's someone that I perceive as a pest! 

I also have the philosophy that if it's really important, then they will leave a message - and if the message is from someone that I want or need to respond to - then I'll email (not phone) them back.

As good as I am at avoiding nuisance phone calls however - you just get some persistent people sometimes who simply won't give up or take no for an answer.  Occasionally people like this manage to slip through my very tight net and get me on the line!

The worst example of this is usually when I am at work and someone from a mobile communications provider manages to get through to me. What inevitably follows is an extremely irritating exchange along the lines of;

Them: Hello, Are you the person responsible for your Company Mobile Contracts?

Me: Yes (in a very grumpy/annoyed/disinterested tone - my heart has literally just sunk that one of these leeches has actually managed to get through to me).

Them: How are you today, did you have a great weekend - what did you get up to, did you get out in the sunshine at all?

Me: Erm, not much! (I'm instantly infuriated by the small talk and am thinking "Get to the point pest - stop pretending like we're friends or something").

Them: Anyway sir, let me introduce you our company.  We can save you money on X. Y, and Z.

Me: We're in mid contract on everything you could support us with at the moment so we're not looking/able to change anything right now.

Them: Do you mind if I ask who those contracts are with and when they would be up for review?

Me:  I tell them - usually not the correct date so I can get these insects off my back for as long as possible.

Them: Can I ask how many mobile devices you have on the contract?

Me: Roughly X amount (now really struggling to hide my growing irritation that I have not managed to get rid of them yet - although I have been known to simply hang up at this point).

Them: Ah I see, and what about your landlines, and broadband connections.  Can I ask you when you would be looking at those contracts.

Me: As I mentioned, I'm not in a position to get into this now.  I get a large volume of calls of this nature and I simply don't have the time respond to them all or get into a lengthy dialogue on the subject.  So I'm going to have to end this call now thank you.

Them: Well can I send you an email with my details and some information that you can review?

Me: OK then! (Now losing the will to live)!!

Them: Great, so what's your email address please?

Me: I tell them

Them: I'm sorry, could you spell your surname please?

Me: OK

Them: And does that have a hyphen or a dot in it or is it all one word?

Me: All one word.

Them: That's great, well thank you for you time.  I really hope we have the opportunity to work with you in the near future. Our organisation is partner to some major brands that could really benefit you, and our current customer base includes X, Y, and Z!  I'll send these details over to you now.  Let me know when you get them and I'll give you another call in six months or so to review where you are at that time.

Me: Yeah, whatever.

Them: You have a good day now.  Good to talk to you.

Me: Handset replaced - grumpy sigh emitted.  Time to get on with some real work!


Conclusions

I so hate getting collared by people like this.  They waffle on and on and bore me to tears.  They all claim they can't beaten on value, and what they can deliver is unique. 

They all seem astonished that I have no interest in their unique money saving proposals and seem absolutely insulted that I am not rushing to sign up with them immediately.

A good proportion of them just want to waffle on about the bloomin weather or anything else irrelevent and try and act like their my best mate.  I don't even want to talk business with you, so I ceratinly don't want to talk about anything else! 

There must be some way to stop people like this.  Can't we colllect them all up and put them on a remote Island somewhere where there are no communications and they can't waste my time and ruin my day?