iPhone for Computer Repair

[Bryce W]

Im currenty looking at replacing my Ipaq HW6965 with a 3G iPhone. The Ipaq is great for computer repair work as it syncs well with my Outlook calendar (i know the iphone does too), has a physical qwerty keyboard, the calendar always shows me what my next task is on the front page, GPS etc..

However, it sucks badly for any of my online endevors, updating this site, checking my servers, web browsing, tweeting etc..

Is anyone else using the iPhone for computer repair work? Any things that are great or suck?

 

[Bullfighter]

Hey Bryce,

I think one bonus with the iPhone is that apparently you can get logmein to work with it:

LogMeIn on iPhone

Unfortunately, I got a BB Bold before I found this out...


EP

 

[tartis]

From what I understand is that it does not sync with Outlook unless you pay for the Apple OTA service for $100 US per year. I may be wrong, but I think that this is the case. It does sync with Exchange.

 

[kagman]

Iphone.Ipod touch

I have the Ipod Touch and I use logmein Ignition to access my systems that use the logmein service. Have to say that having a program like that to access clients computers is awesome. However im not loving the fact you have to pay for that iphone app even when you have already paid for the desktop version of logmein Ignition. But it works great and its easay access to your systems...

 

[Jamb027]

Noticing that this has not been updated for a few months & I am now desperate for an "on the go" device to:

1. Sync with SBS2003 exchange (email, contacts & callender if possible)
2. Browse the web
3. Offer remote support, (may not be brilliant from a phone but better than current situation)
4. Use a GPS mapping app

Would people here say to go for a Windows Mobile device or the iPhone?

Please help as I am now sick of looking at all the operators and their offered devices.

 

[blackburgpchelp]

I'm really enjoying my Sprint Blackberry Curve 8330. I've used it for all those things you mention, and I can use it to tether a pc for internet in most locations I've been to. I can also use my credit card merchants virtual terminal on it to charge cards. The only thing I've not really tried using it for is Remote Support. Not sure how possible this is.

-Rance

 

[JRDtechnet]

For remote desktop connection for blackberry use this http://www.rdmplus.com/index.html

Also, for web browsing take a look here http://boltbrowser.com/

 

[Emockler]

I am fully converged with a Samsung i760, it has 3g, wifi, BT, qwerty, camera. The TomTom BT gps moves from phone to phone since the i730.
You may need the i770 for your location, I'm not sure.

Any phone is "ok" for limited browsing.
What I find to be indispensable is the ability to tether the phone without too much hassle. I use a utility called wmwifirouter which essentially turns my phone into a wifi hotspot using the 3g for the wan. very easy to setup and initiate when necessary, also if you receive a call while connected you are not dumped, just paused until the call is terminated. You can use it to wirelessly tether multiple laptops at once if needed.Or for testing inbound VPN connections at a client site. You will need a phone with 3g and wifi.

I found this app and lots of other useful phone info at:
pdaphonehome.com

check also:
wmwifirouter.com

Hope this helps

 

[Bryce W]

Noticing that this has not been updated for a few months & I am now desperate for an "on the go" device to:

1. Sync with SBS2003 exchange (email, contacts & callender if possible)
2. Browse the web
3. Offer remote support, (may not be brilliant from a phone but better than current situation)
4. Use a GPS mapping app

Would people here say to go for a Windows Mobile device or the iPhone?

Please help as I am now sick of looking at all the operators and their offered devices.

The iPhone can definitely do 2,3 and 4. I believe it can do 1 fine, but you'll have to double check that. I am incredibly happy with my iPhone.

 

[ProTech Support]

Bryce, I would 100% recommend the Blackberry Curve. It does everything you need, and has all the features you are already accustomed to such as the full keyboard, tasks on the front, calander, Outlook sync, GPS, etc...

I use it every single day and do not have one complaint. Another great thing is the battery life. I can go 3-4 days without sitting it on the charger, that's some life for a cell phone.

 

[ProTech Support]

For remote desktop connection for blackberry use this http://www.rdmplus.com/index.html

Also, for web browsing take a look here http://boltbrowser.com/

That is an absolutely awesome product. Thank you for posting that.

 

[abe]

Hey I would wait to see how the new palm pre pans out, it would do all of the above.
abe

 

[Jamb027]

Thanks for the responses.

I think that I'll wait for 2 weeks untill the new iPhone comes out and take that as I like the screen size and the ease of use.
I have had a good look at the other phones out there and unless I want to pay over £500 for the HTC Touch HD, all the others screen sizes are a bit too small.

 

[SOHO-NZ]

I don't have a fully integrated phone, but use a iPAQ hx2790 PDA, and a separate phone. I find this useful as I can talk on the cellphone and book and appoinment into the IPAQ at the same time.

The IPAQ has bluetooth, wi-fi (great for testing a new WLAN), syncs with my SBS 2003 from any internet connection. It has a remote desktop client built-in, and there are a loads on apps available that don't have to come from Apple's APP store!
The other feature I like is the think rubber strip around it's edge, which has saved it many times when it falls out of my pocket.

 

[Reset]

I have a client that syncs his itouch with outlook and quickbooks so he can login through his vpn just do a search for the app.

"IPhone - They have a app for that."

 

[paulw]

I love my iPhone but the battery life is crap.

I think you can tether it IF you jailbreak it.

 

[ZenMike]

Noticing that this has not been updated for a few months & I am now desperate for an "on the go" device to:

1. Sync with SBS2003 exchange (email, contacts & callender if possible)
2. Browse the web
3. Offer remote support, (may not be brilliant from a phone but better than current situation)
4. Use a GPS mapping app

Would people here say to go for a Windows Mobile device or the iPhone?

Please help as I am now sick of looking at all the operators and their offered devices.

If you have to have Exchange sync I think there's an extra $15 fee, but Google services (email, calendar, contacts) sync perfectly for free via IMAP. I have been using that setup for months and am 100% satisfied.

 

[Tesla]

I am using a Nokia E71 and I am really impressed with it. I prefer the real keyboard over the iPhone 2g I had. Battery life is really good too.

I have it sync'ing with Google calender via a third party site.

The E72 is due shortly but is much of the same.

Worth checking out before you make a firm decision on any one handset.

 

[seedubya]

I use the E71 too. The real keyboard is great, but it's certainly not a "visual" phone. Don't get me wrong, the screen quality is good - it's just the size/res compared to the iPhone is not good....

 

[krutoi]

it sucks badly for any of my online endevors, updating this site, checking my servers, web browsing, tweeting etc..

There is an interesting vBulletin app for the iPhone called Tapatalk, though I haven't seen it in action yet...