Here, File File is a great app with a goofy name. Let ‘s just get that out of the way right now “ that name just doesn ‘t do this app justice. It should be call ‘Super Cool File Sharing App ‘ or something, or perhaps I ‘m not going to make it as an app namer for a living. 🙂
The app lets you access the files and folders on your Mac “ in fact on as many Macs as you like – from your iPhone. There are number of apps that offer similar capabilities, but Here, File File is one that I was very impressed with while judging the recent App Star Awards (for apps that at that time had not made the App Store) and I was very keen to see it in action. I ‘m happy to say it has not disappointed me at all.
What Does It Do?
Here ‘s a little Intro blurb from Here, File File ‘s App Store description:
Here, File File puts ALL of the files on your Mac at your fingertips from anywhere! No syncing or manually dragging files required. Never be without that important document again!
Connect to as many Macs as you like “ each one shows up on your virtual desk “ by simply tapping the one you want to connect to. The highly optimized Here, File File works over Edge, 3G and wifi and allows you to access all of your files in an elegant interface.
One of the biggest features of this app is that it provides access to ALL the files and folders on your Mac/s. It basically has all the access that the username you use to connect to the Mac has. So if you use an admin-level user account when setting it up, you should see everything you do on the desktop.
It is Mac only for now, and requires Mac OS X version 10.5 or greater. You also need to download and install its free desktop companion (server) app in order to use it.
You can access your Macs from within a local WiFi network, and from outside of it as well. For remote access, depending on your network setup, the app may be able to auto-configure access or it may require a bit of manual setup for port forwarding and such. The desktop app ‘s setup screens offer some help and advice on this.
What Does It Do Well?
For starters, that ability to access all of your files and folders is a huge plus. No matter what type of file you want to work with, Here File File will show you all you want to see.
If you ‘re looking for music, it sees your iTunes library and lets you play songs from within the app
If you look for photos, it sees your iPhoto library, Photo Booth, and any other sources in your Macs ‘ hard drives
It does picture viewing very well, and lets you email a pic straight from within the viewer
It shows all your movies from all sources as well “ from iMovie to Flip Video
You can look at your desktop and work with any of its contents
The viewer handles PDF files very well also
You can even search a Mac from within Here File File for any file or folder you ‘re looking for
The app is super easy to setup and to use. It will see your Mac or Macs on a local network straight away. The Information screen can always be tapped to remind yourself of your IP address and the port being used by the app (5010 by default, but easy to change). It requires a password each time you connect.
Then there ‘s the app ‘s gorgeous UI. It ‘s not just easy to use, it ‘s a pleasure to use.
To connect to a Mac, you simply tap on the big image of its screen that the app presents you with.
Navigation within Here, File File is also easy and effective “ even when you ‘re drilled down several layers in its interface, it is always easy to get back to the top level and the navigation bar.
What ‘s Not So Good?
Nothing worth mentioning so far “ just a solid app all the way around.
Overall
I ‘ve tried a number of file sharing apps, but this one is my favorite by some distance, and it ‘s the only one that will be staying on my iPhone. It ‘s another of those ‘I love using it ‘ apps because of its lovely UI, ease of use, and powerful features. I ‘m a firm believer in the idea that apps that are a real pleasure to use are usually the ones you end up getting the most use out of “ and Here, File File slots very nicely into that category for me.
You can find Here, File File in the App Store now, currently at a 30% discount price of $6.99 (as at 2/21/10) until version 1.1 is released.
*** This app was independently purchased by the post author in the iPhone App Store. For further information regarding our site’s review policies, please see the "About" page.
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TAGS: iphone apps, iPhone file sharing apps, iPhone utility apps
