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Ability to use disk space with the iPhone

irishgrizzly

irishgrizzly

macrumors 65816
Original poster
May 15, 2006
1,461
2
This is the one thing I miss being able to do with my iPod. Is there a reason Apple left this out? I've played around with loads of file manager apps, but find them more hassle then they're worth. (I know that if I was to jailbreak I might get this function, but I don't want to go down that road).
 
irishgrizzly said:
This is the one thing I miss being able to do with my iPod. Is there a reason Apple left this out? I've played around with loads of file manager apps, but find them more hassle then they're worth. (I know that if I was to jailbreak I might get this function, but I don't want to go down that road).
Click to expand...
I don't understand the general description "hassle". I currently use "Files" from the AppStore. I also downloaded "AirShare" when it was free, and it does the same thing. Both are pretty damn transparent to use, and I actually PREFER it to physically connecting my phone to the computer.

Moreover, you don't even NEED to have a WiFi network available to connect your computer to your phone, you just need to set-up a connection on your computer, create a "Computer-to-Computer" network, and your iPhone can wirelessly connect to it (it will show up in your hotspot list). I did this while I was on a plane and wanted to view some PDFs on my iPhone, on my laptop. Worked without much effort at all without leaving airplane mode.

I'm not sure what kind of "hassle" anyone else hasbeen through, but I'm actually glad Apple didn't rush to re-institute "hard disk" mode for the iPodTouch/iPhone. These new options feel much better, and eliminate any confusion over accessing the media. It'd be nice to access the media section... but its never been a big deal for me.

~ CB
 
^ To each is own, some people value disk mode from earlier times and wish to have it back. I am one of those people.
 
jessica. said:
Because Apple doesn't seem to like anything that may help customers circumvent iTunes. :cool:

iPhone Drive will give you this option I believe.
Click to expand...
Everyone would be wise to avoid using this application as a reliable option moving forward. It is $20 and as such 4 times more expensive, and yet represents something that is hard to maintain, and may not work as new updates are released.
jessica. said:
^ To each is own, some people value disk mode from earlier times and wish to have it back. I am one of those people.
Click to expand...
And what advantage does "disk mode" give you over what I've suggested?

~ CB
 
Combative tonight aren't we? ;)

iPhone drive is an option and with every piece of software you run the risk of it not being compatible with a system upgrade. Buyer beware in every case, even with applications that are better known and widely used. Hell, I vaguely recall OSX not supporting my camera's RAW files for months after its release due to a system update. So yeah, risk is there everywhere.

I did not say that your methods were bunk. Hell, I downloaded airshare within the same week I believe it came out and continue to use it with ease when needed. I didn't say your methods sucked, I said "to each is own" and sometimes in life people who are used to doing something one way would like to continue to use that method. It's human nature to want to be comfortable. I understand that AirShare and other applications will give the OP what he wants but who the hell are you to say that his request is at all absurd? So he wants disk mode ... hell I want a freaking cupcake ... we want what we want.

But just to keep peace, the applications you have mentioned are hugely awesome and they work just as described. I highly recommend them since disk mode is not available, or you can buy a program that gives you disk mode. To each ... is own. ;)
 
Cleverboy said:
I don't understand the general description "hassle".
Click to expand...
For me the hassle is that when I want to share something the other machine often doesn't have bluetooth/wifi. This is normally because it's an older machine or in a secure environment where they're not allowed.
 
Stupid question, but do you have to jailbreak your phone to use the iPhone as a disk?
 
irishgrizzly said:
For me the hassle is that when I want to share something the other machine often doesn't have bluetooth/wifi. This is normally because it's an older machine or in a secure environment where they're not allowed.
Click to expand...
Got it. That's an important factor. Are you using Windows? Which older version of the operating systems do you generally have trouble with? I guess one of the supplements I'd done, is to simple carry a 2GB USB stick on my keychain for those specific moments. They're really small these days and more reliable to mount than my old iPod used to be given the various issues that started creeping up, especially with Vista.

For newer OS with WiFi, you can't get more hassle free than a shortcut or dock alias. Both Files and Airshare, for instance, use a Bonjour name for your iPhone, so no matter what the network, its always the same name to link to it... like, "iPhone-3G.local". That development was very good for me. One click, and its mounted, drag-and-drop, and eject. I generally keep "Files" on the first page of my iPhone apps.

The nicest part is being able to review all of my documents from my iPhone... which the old "diskmode" never did. I particularly liked copying eBooks (like documentation) and Excel files. Much more enhanced usability.
hbg said:
Stupid question, but do you have to jailbreak your phone to use the iPhone as a disk?
Click to expand...
I believe the answer is "no" in all cases. It certainly is in the case of the avalanche of AppStore solutions for this purpose. I recommend the WebDav-capable variants.

~ CB
 
jessica. said:
Combative tonight aren't we? ;)
Click to expand...
Nope, just responding to post. Maybe you're taken aback by assertiveness? You have to just roll with it.
jessica. said:
iPhone drive is an option and with every piece of software you run the risk of it not being compatible with a system upgrade. Buyer beware in every case, even with applications that are better known and widely used. Hell, I vaguely recall OSX not supporting my camera's RAW files for months after its release due to a system update. So yeah, risk is there everywhere.
Click to expand...
Don't candy coat this. I'm not arguing with you, I'm just stating the facts. Phone View operates in a way that is NOT APPROVED by Apple, so... by that fact alone, it strikes me a dubious by storing files in places where files are such files are not supposed to be according to Apple.

That said, I went and downloaded the latest version of Phone View and checked it out. I looked over the FAQ and version history. Understandably, there appeared to be a lag in support when major architecture changes were introduced to the iPhone OS, but for the most part, ECamm seems committed to making updates, provides a downloadable trial, and is transparent about what does not work with and what problems and limitations the software has. This is a great sign, but I would not count on this to help me out in a pinch.

jessica. said:
I did not say that your methods were bunk.
Click to expand...
I think you're reading into my posts. Try picturing me without an angry or sarcastic expression on my face.

jessica. said:
I understand that AirShare and other applications will give the OP what he wants but who the hell are you to say that his request is at all absurd?
Click to expand...
I never said anything resembling this.

jessica. said:
I highly recommend them since disk mode is not available, or you can buy a program that gives you disk mode. To each ... is own. ;)
Click to expand...
iPhone Drive was renamed to MegaPhone and then to Phone View. Personally, I do not believe that the primary purpose of Phone View should be so that you can copy files to-and-from your iPhone. I think its main benefit, is for those who want GREATER access to the files and records on their iPhone. If I used a proprietary/unapproved method to copy files to and from my iPhone, I'd feel queasy about my productivity considering I would only use the tool occassionally. When I needed it, I would need it, and I would be happy getting an error, or finding out an update to iTunes, iPhone OS, or Mac OS (or any combination thereof) has interrupted my access.

As an exercise, here are Phone View's limitations/benefits (as a disk mode product):

LIMITATIONS:
1. Mac Only
2. Requires iPhone View to be installed and running on target computer
3. Requires Mac OS Tiger 10.4.11 or higher
4. Requires iTunes to be installed
5. iPhone OS updates affect functionality moreso than normal software (for instance, while Files and AirShare continue to work, as of Beta 2 of iPhone OS 3.0, problems began to arise. Ecamm has not commented further on betas 3 or 4).
6. Cannot view copied files while using iPhone/iPod Touch

BENEFITS:
1. Using computer, users can view/edit files throughout iPhone/iPod Touch file system
2. Using computer, users can view/edit database for Notes
3. Using computer, users can view Photos/Contacts/SMS/call history
Click to expand...

Phone View (official website)
http://www.ecamm.com/mac/phoneview/

Furthermore, Ecamm recommends TouchCopy for PC users:

Touch Copy
http://www.wideanglesoftware.com/touchcopy/

At the end of the day, solutions like AirShare or Files, have these limitations/benefits:

LIMITATIONS:
1. Requires WiFi support on target computer
2. Requires WebDav support for Finder/Explorer support (virtually all Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows OS versions support this)
3. Cannot alter files in iPhone file system

BENEFITS:
1. View/Upload files through Finder / Explorer
2. View/Upload files through any web browser
3. View/Play media files from inside of iPhone/iPod Touch
4. Password protection option
5. No software required on target computer
6. Files Lite available FREE on the AppStore
Click to expand...

I was looking, and there's simply a billion of these apps on the App Store. "Documents" is another good one that offers a "FREE" version. Let's you "edit" many of the document types with built-in editors, which is nice, as well as allowing you to email them from within your iPhone/iPod Touch as attachments, take new photos, etc.

It's funny, but someone could probably do an ongoing "round-up" of all "File" or "disk-mode" options for the iPhone. It seems the list is spinning out new entries every minute. Even though only "Phone View" allows you to work via USB, I'm not sure this is very persuasive over simply using a USB thumb drive on your keychain.

~ CB
 
e-mail transferred files?

Hi guys-

Hope no one thinks this is too peripheral to the discussion, and bear with me for never having owned any cell phone.

After you transfer a file from your laptop to iPhone, using one of the Apps mentioned in this thread, is there any way to attach it to an e-mail message sent from the iPhone? If this were the case, I wouldn't care so much about whether Softbank in Japan allows tethering.

Thanks!:)
 
If you go to https://www.macrumors.com/iphone/, and look at the third article down, Apple has displayed a new App for the 3.0 Software that allows you to manage files and attach files to emails. You will be able to download it for free from the App store.
The article is titled: "WWDC Tidbits: iDisk iPhone App, No ZFS Support in Snow Leopard Server?"
131825-idisk_iphone_app.png
 
Tensakun said:
Hi guys-

Hope no one thinks this is too peripheral to the discussion, and bear with me for never having owned any cell phone.

After you transfer a file from your laptop to iPhone, using one of the Apps mentioned in this thread, is there any way to attach it to an e-mail message sent from the iPhone? If this were the case, I wouldn't care so much about whether Softbank in Japan allows tethering.

Thanks!:)
Click to expand...

With OS 3.0 and proper support of the app (almost assured for most major apps) you will be able to attach files to emails.
 
I take the simple approach to storing files on my iPhone. I just email them to my Yahoo account and have folders for saved items that I can access at any time.
 
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