Nowadays, desktop users find they need permanent connection with their computers. Because of the latest technology, software and hardware, s remote connection between a desktop user and its computer is nothing easier to establish. However you need at least two things, let's make them three, an iPod touch or iPhone, a good connection to the internet (3G, EDGE for iPhone and Wi-Fi for iPod), and a solid application that will allow such a connection.
<-300x250 Medium Rectangle - center->
In a previous article I have presented a paid remote desktop application found on App Store. Today I am writing about a free version; exactly as you heard a free of charge application that will enable a stable connection between your iPod touch and iPhone and your desktop computer (or a left at home laptop).


On April 06, 2009, Thinstuff s.r.o released the latest version of "iRdesktop", a free remote desktop service application, which uses the RDP - also known as remote desktop protocol in order to create a connection (implying not just view but also full control) between your Apple device and computer. You can currently find this application on App Store under the Business category with the latest version, 1.0.1, available for downloading free of charge. The "iRdesktop" was developed for both second (later than 2.2) and third generation operating system for iPhone mobile platform. It is compatible with both iPod touch (any generation as long as it sports the proper operating system), and iPhone (1^st generation, 3G and 3GS).



This application is compatible nine Windows systems, such as Server 200, Server 2003, Server Small Business 2003, Server 2008, XP Professional, XP Media Center 2005, Vista Business, Vista Ultimate, Vista Enterprise, XP Home Edition, Vista Home Basic, and Vista Home Premium. The last three operating systems need an extra installed program, the "Thinstuff XP Vista Terminal Server".

Therefore, if you are planning to download this application for any one of this three operating systems, XP Home, Vista Home Basic, and Vista Home Edition, you should be prepared of paying a certain charge when you are going to download the special add - on software. If you buy the "iRdesktop" you will get a discount, but it is still frustrating to pay for an application that should be free.


Therefore, the developer's policy is to charge the Home users with a fee, and give this application for free to anyone that uses a business orientated operating system. The features of this software are quite normal, just use the touch screen to navigate, and rotate to switch between portrait and landscape modes. I can say that you get a full package, necessary for a great user experience.

The graphics are well done with good attention to details, no freezes, or glitches when used. The latest upgrade provides compatibility with the first generation of iPod touch and enables sounds and music features. Overall, this is a great application as long as you can get it for free. If you are using any of the operating systems which need a supplementary software then you should buy a better remote controls application.

On October 13, 2009, EuroSmartz Ltd released the latest version of "Alta Mail - Print, view and save Emails, Files and Contact History", a useful application which delivers exactly what is promising within its name. You can find this application on the App Store, under the Business category, with the current version, 1.4, available for purchase for $4.99 price tag.
<-300x250 Medium Rectangle - center->
The "Alta Mail - Print, view and save Emails, Files and Contact History" was developed for both second (later than 2.1) and third version operating system of the iPhone mobile platform. No need to worry about compatibility, since this application will work with the iPod touch (any available generation) and iPhone (from the 2007 model, 3G and the new 3GS).


The first impression this application might give you, is that it will certainly improve your possibilities within the mail department on your iPod touch and iPhone. This application is a real savior for anyone that has more than one mail account. The "Alta Mail - Print, view and save Emails, Files and Contact History" will collect all the information within all the mail accounts into one single view list. Within this view mode you can manage all the information as you might need or want.


You can edit your mails, view your contact email history, resend attachments, and even print any files or documents from your laptop or desktop computer. Even more, this application will allow you to filter and alter the way you look at your viewing list. Easily filter the mails by the sender. However if you find this solution to disturbing, you can certainly chose to go with a more familiar email look. Even more, you can prints any emails, contact list, or email history you might have on your Apple device. Just ask the application to form a viewing list with what you are planning to print.


Even more, you can choose to save the edited emails, files, or documents not only onboard the iPod touch and iPhone but also on your computer. There are no limited features with this application. Create your very own perfect viewing application (strictly regarding emails, files and documents, and even contact history). Within the email department of this application you can certainly find more than a few features, such as send and receive emails within the application by using your mail accounts, send files, photos and other documents, view your contact history within a specific date time, and other important features like formatting text and adding photos or contact information within mail accounts (not necessary yours). You can chose to print any files, documents or viewing list by using a Wi-Fi connection, 3G or EDGE connection.


Regarding the contacts, you can either print a list of all your contacts, or just print single contact with the full contact information in card layout or other pre defined or custom formats. In terms of files and documents, this application is compatible with most of the files from the Office 2003, 22007, 2008, Zip and Unzip folders, Mac documents and others. For a good connection between your iPod touch or iPhone and your computer or Mac computer, you should have one of the following operating systems, Windows XP, Vista, and the latest Windows 7, but also Mac OS X 10.4, 10.5, and the 10.6 version.


Overall, the "Alta Mail - Print, view and save Emails, Files and Contact History" is more than useful. If you need an application that will not only merge all the necessary information, but is also compatible with many Office file formats and has the print enabled feature, then maybe you need the "Alta Mail - Print, view and save Emails, Files and Contact History".

Everybody needs sometime in their life a good recorder, either you need to record a college dictate seminar or you simply need to record yourself when you dictate, it is nice to have in handy such a recorder. However, people seem not to use the recorders (not even the detail one). Even more, people have started to enjoy iPhone, which has successfully become a market success. Since, iPhone sports an opened operating system; it was only a matter of time before a developer would create a sophisticated, yet professional, dictation application.
<-300x250 Medium Rectangle - center->
On October 15, 2009, JOTOMI GmbH released the latest version of "Dictamus - Dictate & Send (JMDictate)". You can find this application on App Store under the Business category, with the current version, 5.0, available for purchase and download for $9.99 price tag. "Dictamus - Dictate & Send (JMDictate)" was developed for either second or third generation operating system for the iPhone mobile platform. Even further, you can install this application on every iPhone launched and on iPod touch (only the 2^nd and 3^rd generation). This application certainly delivers a whole package of features, such as overwriting, inserting other record from a certain point, management of recording and others.

The "Dictamus - Dictate & Send (JMDictate)" sports an excellent user interface, with intuitive controls not only in terms of location but also in terms of description. All the inserted controls offer sufficient feedback, with fast reaction. Even more, the navigation is simple. Therefore, you can start this application even if you are in a hurry. Some of the excellent embedded features are the insert, rewind, and overwrite of previous recordings (you can edit every way you need your previous entries), voice activation (skips over the dictation pauses), extremely fast controls, easy to use interface, you can easily send all your recorded materials by just using the email, or download it into your computer, or even upload it onto specific servers.

You even get automatic security with special encryption just in case when using Internet connections. The email send process is simple, since you send it directly from your iPhone with no other problems or worries. All the recorded dictations are saved as WAV files; WAV is a powerful format in terms of compatibility, since every operating system for computers recognizes this audio format. In case you are not yet convinced about this software application, just try out the free version, "Dictamus free" which provides all the embedded features in the full version but limits the recorder files to 30 seconds.

The last but not least feature of this application is the management feature. In the free version you can only manage five dictations at a time, while on the full version you can easily manage your entire data entries. The latest version, 5.0, sports a better size reduction for the audio files, a new user interface, and Bluetooth recognition. This application sports only seven languages (Spanish, Italian, French, English, Chinese and Russian).

However, you can record in any language you might need or want. Overall, the "Dictamus - Dictate & Send (JMDictate)" is an excellent application for anyone that might need a professional dictation application. However, it all depends on each and every one of you to decide if this application is what you were looking for.