Dropbox for the iPhone

Dropbox is a fantastic cross platform file-syncing tool. I use it to sync all documents from my Windows 7 PC to my Macs. This guarantees I always have the most up to date data to hand, with no need to backup or transport it on external media.

Well now the service just got even more compelling with the release of their official iPhone/iPod Touch application.

Once installed, Dropbox provides access and to your files and lets you open any file supported by your iPhone or iPod Touch. You can also upload pictures and videos, download any file for offline viewing or create a "public URL" for easy sharing.

The current free account offered by Dropbox gives you 2GB of data storage, however you can easily expand that by either referring other users or paying a subscription fee. To download the iPhone/iPod Touch application, head over to the App store on iTunes and pick it up for free. For more details on Dropbox check out my preview article "Get Dropbox" posted earlier this year.

Get Dropbox

On a daily basis I use three PC's (Windows XP, 7 Beta and Ubuntu) and three Mac's (All OS 10.5). Each computer has a specific use whether it be work, personal, media center, gaming rig or just for testing. One thing that has always been a nightmare is making sure that all of my data is available across all computers. In the past I have attempted to store everything on portable storage, however that has never proven particularly successful due to issues such as loss, lack of security, capacity constraints and file system compatibility (also just remembering to bring it with me).

Thankfully dropbox has the answer. A fast, secure, reliable and cross platform cloud storage solution that automatically synchronises all your data instantly online and across an infinite number of computers. Dropbox works on just about any platform (OS X, Windows and Linux) and can also be accessed directly from the browser. This ensures that wherever you are in the world, or whichever computer you are working on, you will always have access to all of your data and any changes that you make will instantly be updated and backed-up.

Dropbox also has many advance features such as file recovery, version control, public access and much more. I suggest you watch the dropbox screencast courtesy of getdropbox.com to learn more.

Although dropbox’s primary use is for file synchronisation between multiple computers, the user community has come up with some very clever and original ways to extend its functionality. For example one user is using dropbox to steer and coordinate multiple tractors on a farm. Another example is for security, whereby if the user’s computer is stolen it automatically takes screenshots and images from the integrated camera and automatically saves the outputted files to their dropbox folder. To see how other users are using dropbox be sure to check out the community forum.

Finally, it should be noted that dropbox is 100% free for your first 2GB of storage and therefore you have no excuse not to go and try it out right now from getdropbox.com.