Articles tagged Dropbox.

This is part 2 of a 2 part series on cloud service comparisons. Part I of Cloud Services Comparison >

SugarSync: SugarSync is a cloud service that competes well with Dropbox. Both services sync files between the cloud and multiple computers and devices. Unlike Dropbox, SugarSync can sync any folder or folders on a computer. Files can also be emailed to one’s SugarSync account, which comes in handy on mobile devices. 5GB of free space is included as a standard option, which fairs well compared to most other competitive offerings that start at only 2GB. SugarSync plans are also a little cheaper than the rest, however, SugarSync does have some issues. The service itself is pretty slow and it takes up more memory than Dropbox. The software is also more complicated to navigate and use. For iOS users, very few applications are setup to access SugarSync files. While SugarSync covers the basics, it just does not have enough advantages to replace Dropbox.

Making lists is a daily task in this modern era. It is one of the reason why post-it notes became so popular. The smartphone has completely changed the way we think, create, save, share and access lists where ever we go.

Apple release an app called Reminders with iOS 5 this fall. This one application will cause many applications in the App Store to become obsolete, as Apple has brought it's ease of use and refinement to the to-do list genre.

 If you are tired of using iTunes or email to transfer photos to iPhone or Aperture, there is a better way. With a push of a button, you can have all your new photos transferred from an iPhone to iPhoto, Aperture or a folder on the Mac.

This week's application is a utility to make transferring files from the iOS to the Mac easy. Photosync is $2.99 for a universal iOS application, but it is free for the Mac and in the Mac App Store.

Some say the iPad does not need a file structure application like Finder on the Mac. That may be fine for content consumption, but not for content creation. Those that want to use the iPad as a productivity device will want to have a finder like application. Storing files in the application and syncing through iTunes is horribly slow and cumbersome at best.

Accessing stored files is a must to create content or be productive. If only one device is used, those files can easily be stored on that computer or device. A problem arises when someone starts to use more than one device. Making sure files are up-to-date on every device or computer can become a headache. This headache can be solved by using Dropbox.

The biggest weakness of the iOS platform right now is the lack of a user accessible file structure. Without a file structure or Finder app, iOS devices can not be a complete mobile platform. Right now, Apple tells us that files should be stored in applications on the iOS. This may be fine in the short term, but over time Apple's current file strategy will turn into frustration as users try in vain to access all their files.  There needs to be a place to store, edit, and transfer those files from application to application. Organizing files into folders is a must on any computer platform. Without a directory structure, all those files will turn into a mess. Even Google's Gmail, which was supposed to be all about search, now has folders. So, we all must hope that the current app file storage is only a stop gap until Apple comes up with AirFinder for the iOS. This new AirFinder must be designed specially for today's mobile user. You don't just create, edit, and store your files on a single iOS device anymore. The files need to move with you as you go from device to device. This new Finder needs to sync between all of you computer platforms seamlessly, in the background. AirFinder will allow you to access these files at anytime and anyplace.

The strongest crop of productivity applications in the App Store right now have either added Dropbox or are planning to add it. Why is Dropbox so popular on iOS? It allows seamless transfers between your iOS devices and any other computer or device you have from Macs to PCs. This is exactly what a mobile user is looking for. With Dropbox, you don't need to sync your iPad or iPhone with iTunes to get your latest files. All your latest files will be accessible via the Dropbox cloud service. This turns the iPad into a major productivity device saving tons of valuable time. It is not only good for productivity, but also for application preference syncing as well.  I use 1Password by Agile Web Solution for password and private data storage. Dropbox allows me to sync that data between all my devices in the background. I no longer have to manually sync my valuable data between devices or even remember which device has the latest files. The list of uses for Dropbox can go on and on. Since Dropbox is not part of the OS, it does come with many disadvantages. One of those being, you have to add it your apps to use it.