The much anticipated DataCase application for the iPhone launched this morning.
The app, which costs $6.99, turn your iPhone into an easy-to-use wireless storage device that can be access by any other device on your wireless network. A one way drop box can be added to a normal machine to drop files onto the iPhone, or alternatively you can set up a two-way shared drive to move files between the iPhone and a computer.
I’ve been testing it and it works, for the most part (I’m having trouble re-connecting after closing it down and re-opening). Definitely worth the $7. Any business user will want to download this immediately. One cool feature that I wasn’t able to test – DataCase says it can stream video from the iPhone to a computer.
See the demo video in our previous post. More information and the download link is on the DataCase website. The app is available for both the iPhone and the iPod touch.
Mike – how good is the security of this app ? If I am walking around places I dont want confidential files accessible ….. what encryption is there?
At present you can control access in a few ways. First off no access is available to anyone when the application is not running. Like all iPhone apps not made by apple (or on a jail broken device) it doesn’t run in the background so when its in the pocket you’re definitely safe. Second, by default all volumes are set to require the iPhone user to allow access before you can connect to a volume. So when someone tries to view files in a volume with this setting enabled a popup with come up and no access is permitted until the user clicks allow (or they click deny and no access happens). Second you can enable volume permissions like so:
We allow you to set different permissions on volumes. So there are a few things you can do. You can set a volume to require you to explicitly allow access each time a remote user wants to access a volume (this is what controls whether or not you get that popup asking if you want to allow a connect). You can set a volume hidden (a hidden volume can not be seen or accessed remotely). You can set a volume readable (if a volume is readable then remote users can copy files off the iPhone). You can set a volume writable (this allows remote users to upload files, and to modify or delete files). Finally you can set a volume to be browsable (this allows remote users to see what files exist on the volume).
The Drop Box (as mentioned in the article) is a volume we create by default that is configured to require an access check (the popup verification), and that is set to be writable, but not readable or browsable. The end result is that people can copy files to the drop box, but they can not modify them remotely, and they can’t see what else is in there.
–Mike (backend developer of DataCase)
doesnt filemagnet do this sort of thing or did i miss something?
Filemagnet does, but only if you have a Mac running 10.5. It also does not support nearly as many file types for viewing as we do. Finally they require you to install a program on every computer you wish to share with. We don’t think thats very useful for most file sharing we do. So if you’re using Windows, or view different kinds of file, or you want to use this like a wireless harddrive then DataCase is a better bet.
–Mike
I’m guessing that like other iPhone apps, this is not runningin the back ground when not actively on use.
That is correct.
–Mike
Datacase looks like another solid addition to the range of “file portability” apps. I personally went for Files – ( http://phobos.a...578660&mt=8 ) 4.99GBP. This is working great for me at the moment. It connects to either mac or pc via webdav using passwd connection- although you need to enter the iphones current ip. File viewing is great – with a simaler “go back to where I left it” feature.
Other options (all under appstore/productivity) include:
filemagnet – as mentioned above
touchFS
mobile finder
The latter looks especially interesting as it costs only 1.99GBP and claims to have a note creation tool built in – This might swing things for me! A bit of lively competition looks to ensue…
I should probably also mention Caravan (http://web.mac....an/Caravan.html) that seems to work “the other way around” acting as an FTP client that claims to drag files from your mac or PC (seems a pain compared to the above apps) , with associated viewers.
Most interestingly though it claims to “Download files from the web with the built in web browser” – this might be worth a look at 1.79GBP…
Perhaps if the web browser could be merged with the functionality of one of the above apps we would be beginning to get somewhere…
Caravan also has a built in text editor, so you can create and edit text documents. One advantage with Caravan is that you don’t have to be at home to view your computer’s files; as long as the computer is on and your phone is connected to the internet it works. See http://menoob.c...lder-on-the-go/ for a nice review and instructions.
I tried to upload some rtf files created in textedit, and it wouldn’t render them unfortunately. Haven’t given it a full run yet, but I’m very happy with how easy it was to hook up and dump files to.
The Iphone apps space looks very interesting at the moment. Sure it is throwing up hundreds of clones and apps of dubious merit – but there are some areas where the clones and competition are very rapidly creating applications with improved feature sets and bringing down prices. – no user is really going to use more than one of these apps at a time and will be loathe to dump their investment in one of the higher cost items to try out new features on a costly alternative – but might just try out a low cost contender. This “try out” thing is artificially created by Apples lack of support for free trials. Users have only the review system to judge an app. Surely in competitive areas this is ripe for abuse?
This particular area of File portability is merely introducing features that should have come out of the box -this is no niche- every iphone user should be interested in owning a copy of one of these apps – would apple risk alienating its developers by introducing its own based on how these apps shape up?.
Trials would be nice, but several aps already offer lite versions for free with paid upgrades. I suppose they could also time lock or otherwise cripple a demo version.
iPhone users should also checkout our product “Files”. Files runs a WebDAV server on your phone, so you can connect from any compatible client e.g. Finder on OS X. Drag and drop files to and from your phone.
Most common file types are viewable on the phone, MS Office, PDF, text, RTF, audo, video etc. All full-screen in portrait or landscape mode.
Find Files on the App Store now.
As I mentioned above I am a happy Files user. Does all I expected.
The viewer is great for viewing .pdfs – one of my primary objectives. I find I use it over itunes for transferring .avi – though I still prefer to keep my music under itunes.
Features I’d like to see (goes for the competition too!) are-
-Password protection on the iphone viewer side
-Note creater/editor – like mobilefinder seems to offer
Perhaps getting a bit unrealistic now, but also-
-email of files – realise this is difficult…
-ftp upload/download and web download features as in Caravan…
Is it possible under the restrictions of Apples SDK to create other Apps that would access the Files filesystem? or are all Apps walled gardens as far as their files are concerned?
What I mean is could you (or other developers) implement the above features as seperate apps – and all access the file portabilty features of Files? OR would all features need to be bundled into one, potentially unwieldly, superapp?
Yup, was wondering how it stood against “Files”. The big question is does it have a file viewer? If not, the Files would be the winner.
Also a little proofreading of the story would be good. A few too many grammatical errors…
Yes it has a file viewer just like Files.
–Mike
I’m going to buy this app, I’ve been waiting for something like this.
(ps, caffeine fingers: turn, access, addes = turns, accessed, added. In the demo: incomming = incoming.)
TechCrunch! Please proofread your articles. This one is almost unreadable!
“The app, which costs $6.99, turn your iPhone”
“that can be access by any other device”
“A one way drop box can be addes to a normal machine to drop files onto the iPhone…” WHAT?!?!?!
Hi Mike,
Could you explain to me the differences and advantages/disadvantages of your app over the new app just released in the iTunes store (for much less money) called MobileFinder??
Because I don’t see much of a difference….and it’s less money
Thanks!
«One cool feature that I wasn’t able to test – DataCase says it can stream video from the iPhone to a computer.»
Does anyone know how to accomplish this? Would be fun to try.
I was streaming h.264 from the iPhone to my computer via http in the web browser. One gets a directory structure and if your browser can play media files, then ‘Bob’s your uncle’.
Typo in your column
Awesome! I was looking for such an app just yesterday to grab some files before I fly to London (and thus since I have a German contract pay exorbitant fees for mobile Internet there) and this fits the bill just perfectly. Purchasing now… thanks!!
I would have liked to have seen disclosure UP FRONT, instead of finding out in a reply to a Comment that what you’re doing here is shilling your own damned stuff. Nothing wrong with that when it’s mentioned FIRST.
Hi mike – I suspect there are at least 2 different Mikes – “Mike” Arrington, who wrote the article – a second “Mike” who is the “(backend developer of DataCase)” – and a 3rd your good self. All very confusing really…
The thing is you can buy 8-16 GB usb keys on newegg and tiger for about $20.
It would be great if you could email the files from the iphone… maybe there is a way to do it but I don’t see it?
I’d rather put files on the cloud.
Why would I want to pay for this limited app when I can jalbrak and install SSH running in background – always on scp/sftp access with all the security of ssh? But why store anything on my iphone I don;t intend to use on the iphone when I have 4gb use drive? You know when I need the files wireless probably won’t be around.
Do something meaningful – file transfer over the bluetooth. I would pay for this. (well even my 5 year moto had it)
Mike,
Don’t you have a copy editor in your team?
There are at least 3 errors in the first paragraph
———————–
The app, which costs $6.99, turn your iPhone into an easy-to-use wireless storage device that can be access by any other device on your wireless network. A one way drop box can be added to a normal machine to drop files onto the iPhone, or alternatively you can set up a two-way shared drive to move files between the iPhone and a computer.
————————
1. …….turn on your iPhone…. – should be “turns on”
)
2. ………that can be access……. – should be accessed
3. A one way drop box……… – should be one-way (you have hyphenated two-way
Go, get a copy editor
Rgds
Girissh
picky picky picky
who gives a crap f if he is missing a few s, or ed
you get the point of the article
To the haters, the reasons you’d want this app:
1) A USB drive is nice, but you can’t view anything directly on it. I’m going to be attending a conference abroad and thus mobile Internet is incredibly expensive, so I want to copy maps of where I’m going as well as the conference schedule to have on hand. It’s not a techie conference, so I don’t want to have to lug my laptop along.
2) I’m an official iPhone dev and don’t want to jailbreak your iPhone to bring on the wrath of Apple. (and many people don’t want to jailbreak for various reasons)
Disclosure: I’m in no way affiliated with DataCase, just a happy customer.
Oh, and just to show that I’m not completely non-critical, I noticed this program can’t handle files with spaces in their names…
This is a phenomenal application wow.. http://www.read...ex.php?RTA=web2
Please remind me again why we are paying premiums on basic features like this? It’s one thing to pay for content, but paying for accessibility smells like a flaw.
It would be great if you could email the files from the iphone… maybe there is a way to do it but I don’t see it?
The UI on this thing is terrible, enlist the help of the community or something, sheesh
First, to complain about the price of an app that costs $7 is flat out childish. The development that goes into these apps takes time, effort, and know-how, and paying a modest amount for this is all the one can ask. If $7 is too much, then you are probably not interested in this type of application in the first place. The only way a market for such iPhone apps will develop is if the developers are adequately compensated.
That being said, what I don’t like about this otherwise great app is it doesn’t support any of the iWork apps–is this a problem with the iPhone itself (paradoxically!), or just a question of developing these third-party apps to support Pages, etc.? I left the world of MS Office years ago and have not looked back…
I just came across another similar app on the App Store called Mobile Finder:
http://phobos.a...746714&mt=8
Looks like there are three now: Datacase, Files, and Mobile Finder
@spinoza I should have been more clear: I’m confused why I have to pay for a function that already comes in a standard iPod. Wifi aside, I can’t even plug a USB plug into an iPod Touch and transfer files into it like a hard drive.
I am by no means questioning the quality or monetary value of the developers of the app. I am questioning, what appears to me, a huge inconsistency between product features on the part of Apple. It reminds me a lot of having to pay Apple to get my iPod Touch to have the Google Maps app just like the iPhone.
Or, am I still making childish inquiries?
It has been said that there is “FileMagnet” for Mac users.
They are other programs that turn your iPhone into a USB key. There is “Files”, “MobileFinder” that allows you to transfer files from Mac and PC using a wireless network. They cost around the same price as DataCase.
I have only tried DataCase, but the 2 other apps look a bit the same and works with mostly the same files. They are a few distinctions, and they have the same grade from user’s review.
People, choose the application you want!
I got my iPhone yesterday and had a look at all the different file copy apps .. FileMinder, Files and Mobile Finder.
I decide to choose Datacase because it says
“Control Access – … Each volume is independent and allows you to define how it can be accessed. You can set read, write, and browse permissions for each, or even make it invisible to anyone but you ….”
Was disappointed after I pruchase it to discover that this is not on the iPhone side but on the PC browser side.
So I cannot hide or protect the volumes on my iPhone. I think this should be made clearer in the App description.
The other day I bought DataCase and figured the volumes are not displayed on Finder ( or Path Finder ) after quitting DataCase on my Tiger. Therefore, I made a workflow to resolve the issue because I do not like the situation and cannot wait for the developers to fix it.
If you also cannot wait, go to the following URL and get the workflow I have just made.
http://www.loun...nt_file_server/