Soonr Lets You View All Your Documents on the iPhone
We are still hoping to see a full office suite on the iPhone, but while there are already some apps that allow you to edit documents on the phone, the device's size currently makes it more useful for reading documents than actually creating them. Today, Soonr launched an application in the App Store (iTunes link) that allows you to sync files from your desktop to Soonr's online storage and then view them on your iPhone. Soonr can handle over 40 different file types and provides you with 500 megabytes of free online storage.
UI and Features
While you currently have to complete the registration on your iPhone, the central hub for getting started is really Soonr's desktop client, which is basic, but gets the job done. The client, which is available for Mac and Windows, lets you choose which files to sync to Soonr's servers and gives you an overview of how much online storage you have been using and the latest status updates. Soonr also provides a web interface that lets you manage all your documents.
The iPhone interface was clearly designed with the user in mind. A dashboard provides you with all the latest updates like newly added files and folders, or printed documents. You can also browse through your files and view them with a more traditional file browser.
One feature we would like to see here is the ability to bookmark folders that you often use, so that you don't have to navigate the directory tree every time you want to access a new file.
Finding and Sharing Files
While the file browser is useful, those of us with a large number of files on their computers will surely welcome Soonr's search function, which allows you to search inside your files.
Soonr also makes it incredibly easy to share files. You can share files directly with other Soonr users, or send an email or SMS with an invitation. You can also forward files as attachments to any email address.
One feature we would like to see here is integration with the iPhone contacts application. It would also be great if you could upload files to Soonr by forwarding an email to the service. That way, whenever you get a document that isn't natively supported by the iPhone mail client, you could access it through Soonr.
Remote Printing
Another useful feature of Soonr is the ability to print files remotely. The desktop client automatically discovers the default printer on your computers and the print job completes without any further interaction.
Verdict
Soonr is one of the most useful productivity apps we have seen for the iPhone. Some web apps like Syncplicity also let you access your cloud storage, but they can't provide the ease of use and compatibility with a large number of file types in the same way a native application like Soonr can.
In the long run, it would be great if Soonr would also let you edit files on the iPhone, but even without this feature, it's already incredibly useful.
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Now only if Microsoft could come up with Live / SkyDrive integrated, soonr inspired iphone application. Heck I'd settle for a SharePoint iphone app
Now why couldn't Soonr use an icon that fit the iPhone? Why the floating icon + reflection?
Thanks ..after reading your review I have bought it and it is what I was looking for..very useful for me.
Thanks for the review and feedback, Frederic, I should disclose that I am the head of Products here at Soonr. Based on the traffic we are seeing today, we are definitely very pleased with the reception of Soonr for the iPhone, this is just a great environment for us. Most of the things you are suggesting makes sense, and will probably make their way into the service - sooner than later.
So, I guess I should get one since this is very useful..
Pretty cool.
The other big glaring omission in Soonr, besides the lack of editing, is remote printing to Kinkos and the like. If someone wanted to make big money, write the connector between Soonr, Google map directions and Kinkos web print service for the iPhone ( $$$ ).
Also, Soonr ( and its Android equivalent ) is a good example of why Microsoft Mess...er...Mesh with be a non starter - No desktop dependency, no Silverlight.
I love RWW blog and consider it a reputable source. But Soonr is half-baked and not usable. I wasted 30 minutes wrestling with nasty registration and installation to get a document viewer where 1/3 of the tiny display is wasted. Come on! If this is a sponsored post, then state clearly that it's sponsored.
Alex, nasty registration? Most users can get going in less than 2 minutes. Also you state 1/3 of the tiny display is wasted? Are you using an iPhone? You can zoom and turn the phone for landscape so how is the display waste? I'd be glad to answer questions if you are having unusual issues. Please email support@soonr.com for help.
BTW: I am with Soonr and I can assure you that this is not sponsored in anyway. We haven't sponsored ANY blogs or other advertising in years.
Where does one get an activation code??? There is nothing on the website that says how to get an activation code???
Be sure and install the iPhone application FIRST. During that process you will get an activation code, which is used for the Desktop Agent. You will need activation code only once. Then you can link as many Macs and PCs to your account and have access to them all from the iPhone or a web browser.
It looks like some folks installed the Desktop agent first and then got stuck because they didn't have the code. If you did this, just go get the iPhone app and begin there. You'll get the code that way.
BTW: I am with Soonr.
Is there a way to print email attachments with soon?