Google Drive Update for iOS

Google have today released some pretty exciting news news the mobile Google drive app now allows on device/in app editing of your google documents! As far as I know it’s the first in the field of mobile online storage apps to offer such a service.

As you can see from the video below, they have pretty much got it nailed..

There’s only downside to the recent news… As of yet, the app does not support in app editing of Google Spreadsheets. However, I feel confident in saying it won’t be far behind todays release. Once it finally arrives, I will seriously have to reconsider my current alliance to Dropbox and SugarSync.

You can download Google Drive for iOS from the App Store now for free.

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NetBeans 6.7

Upon switching to Mac OS X I needed to find a new development studio for my PHP works. I searched high and low and read many tutorials from many forums around the world. However, I have finally settled with NetBeans. NetBeans is an open-source application, which is not only capable of syntax highlighting PHP but Java, C/C++, Groovy, Ruby and many many more. It supports many platforms such as Windows, Linux, Mac OS C and even Solaris.

The latest version (6.7) includes integration with Project Kenai which is a collaborative environment for developers working on open-source projects.
The NetBeans website also contains many hands on tutorials and how-to’s to get you started with the NetBeans environment. Developed by the NetBeans community, it’s becoming an excellent resource. Not only for NetBeans usage but also general developed tips and tricks! They even offer online training courses!
The NetBeans developers promote plugin development and host a portal boasting a massive collection of application plugins.
So, what are you waiting for? Download your NetBeans IDE now!

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The perfect Mac to Mobile Sync Solution?

SyncMateAs most of you will know, I am predominantly a Linux user, having to put up with Windows foibles through my work, and my ‘love’ of Windows Mobile devices. For the last 11 years I have seen little exposure to the whole Macintosh world. That was until Friday, when I wen’t out and purchased a 17″ MacBook Pro. 

One of the first challenges I can across after installing Snow Leopard was to sync the data stored on my windows mobile. Now obviously I can sync the data stored in the file system using Mesh. However I needed to sync my contactstasks and calendar information. With Google sync not an option as my phone already has an exchange activesync connection.
After many hours of googling, I stumbled upon Eltima software’s website. Eltima offer a software solution called SyncMate. The powerful application boasts many features. The most appealing for me was the ability to manage the SMS folders of the device. On my windows boxes I had developed a bespoke application which did this. But of course am currently unable to port to Mac.
Eltima offer a free version of there SyncMate software which kept me entertained for the first 30 minutes, however I soon found my self upgrading to the expert version! Now I don’t think I could be without it.
On my phone (HTC Touch Pro) SyncMate uses a client which listens for connections via both USB and other my wireless network(s). Which works out perfectly for me. Allowing me to send text messages using my phone from a different room in the house. Which seems like a feature you wouldn’t find useful however, when my phone is docked upstairs charging I can be downstairs still communicating with my friends. Although I have not been using the application very long, its truly proving to be another everyday use app on my tool belt. 
If you have used other Mac sync apps, and would like to suggest them please post a comment below. 

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Next Generation Mobile TV Comes to Android Phones

St. Petersburg, August 26th, 2009 – SPB Software, a leading maker of mobile applications, announces the release of SPB TV for Android phones. SPB TV is a subscription-free mobile IPTV viewer, designed for tuning in to publicly available digital TV channels from all over the world. SPB TV features exclusive and patent-pending usability innovations like picture-in-picture mode and gives the mobile subscribers easy access to over a hundred of international TV channels, directly from their phones.

Proven track record of high quality customization projects made SPB Software a stratigic partner for many carriers, who manage a wide range of mobile devices. With this release SPB TV becomes available for Windows Mobile, Symbian and Android platforms providing diverse mobile carrier customers with the next generation mobile TV experience.

“SPB was always concentrated on supporting phone manufactures and mobile network carriers in building innovative and user-centric products and services.” – comments Sebastian-Justus Schmidt, SPB Software CEO – “After porting SPB TV to a new platform other than Windows Mobile we got a favourable reception from the mobile market, especially from mobile operators. Now SPB is very pleased with the fact that we can offer mobile carriers an equal solution, a unique powerful application for Windows Mobile, Symbian and Android platforms.”

SPB TV

SPB TV Main Features:

  • 100+ international live TV channels, in 20+ languages
  • Unique TV browser with quick channels preview and list of current & upcoming TV shows
  • Integrated full week’s TV guide
  • Ability to set Calendar reminders for TV shows of interest
  • Fast channel launching and switching technology
  • Picture-in-picture mode (quick channel preview while in another channel)
  • “Transparent” on-screen controls (sound, brightness) as on a regular TV
  • Full support of hardware buttons controls

Pricing and Availability

SPB TV is available for smartphones running Android 1.5 with HVGA screen resolutions, as well as Windows Phones running Windows Mobile 5 and later Professional and Standard editions, S60 3d edition FP1 or higher, qVGA, VGA, Square QVGA, and WVGA screen resolutions are supported. SPB TV has a full and a freeware versions, with the freeware version limited in features and number of channels available. SPB TV requires a reliable 3G or WiFi network connection for proper streaming. Full version of SPB TV is available for 9.95 USD from the Android Market in countries where paid Android applications are available.

Further Information and Downloads

SPB TV for Android web page
SPB TV for Android screenshots page

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LogMeIn Rescue+Mobile pays for it's self.

If you are a regular visitor to the siteblog you may have read that I recently implemented a few licences for LogMeIn Rescue+Mobile in order to aid the support of 200+ Nokia E71 mobile phones.

LogMeIn Rescue is used by IT helpdesks to provide instant remote support to customers and employees. Gain control of a remote PC, Mac, or smartphone* over the web in seconds, without the need to pre-install software.

After only 4 days of use the service has already saved the return of 6 mobile phones back to head office. Which in turn has saved 6 account managers ‘downtime’ from their phones, and has saved the business £££’s from postage and packaging costs.

We have used the service not only to guide users through simple tasks, but to install the latest release of Mail For Exchange, reconfigure settings transfer some photo’s from a users phone to his pc, and even record a video tutorial on how to change the settings on the phone. Which has since been distributed to the phone users. With features like complete file manipulation, and remote reboot the installation of software updatesfixes is a breeze!

The web based interface saved me the hassle of having to install software to the PC’s that the analysts use, and having the service hosted took the burden out of hardware allocation in the server room!

The interface is simple, and easy to navigate allowing the analysts to take on support calls with minimal amounts of training! All be it simple, it is in no way limited in functionality. It has also enabled us to brand the service with our own company logo’s, making the integration to our other helpdesk solution seemless.

As part of the LogMeIn Rescue+Mobile licence the desktop remote support is included. Although we didn’t intend on using this, and simply purchased the licence for our Nokia’s, we found ourselves in a situation which required access to a laptop which was behind a hardware firewall. A situation which isn’t normally easy to resolve! Yet again, LogMeIn Remote+Rescue saved the day! Saving the account manager the long drive back to head office for us to resolve the issue.

Over the next few weeks, I am going to look into using this as a replacement for the current remote support solution, no doubt I will post up the results of the new trial.

LogMeIn Remote+Rescue supports a variety of operating systems including:


All of which can be controlled using the technician panel, giving the analyst a view of what the user can see taking all of the pain out of the support call!

As per the picture below, several phone are available for complete emulation. The phones not yet emulated, can still be supported and navigated using simple key combinations on your normal PC keyboard.

Once I had received confirmation from the business to go ahead with the order I found our account manager Jakob Thusgaard extremely knowledgeable on the subject and always happy to help. Answering any question I threw at him with speed and professionalism. Making him easily approachable, and boosting my confidence with the purchase.

I have already recommended LogMeIn Rescue+Mobile to several of my friends in the field, and will continue to do so!

If you would like more information on the product and pricing, check out the official website.

If your a fellow user, or you took on the product thanks to the post – please let your comments below!

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