Managing all of your documents can be a time consuming task. With all the different means to store your data on your computer, tablet, or in the cloud through services such as Dropbox or iCloud, it’s very easy to get disorganized and lose track of all your files.
File managers take all of the hassle out of getting your scattered documents organized. One of the latest file managers to hit the app store is HotDoc ($2.99, App Store Link) from Telejur Software. Exclusively on iPad, HotDoc is intended to be a more user-friendly file manager with a sharp user interface.
When using HotDoc you have the ability to view multiple file types such as PDFs, Office docs, TXT, and iWork apps including Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. On top of that, you can also create and edit text files right from the app, which comes in handy pretty often. Also integrated into HotDoc are options to log into different file storage and email accounts such as and iCloud and Gmail to import and view files. This of course saves a lot of time over having to log into each account individually every time you need to get to certain files.
One feature which HotDoc doesn’t have, but other files managers do, most notable on GoogleReader is zipping files. This is useful in a number of situations, especially when organizing and sending files. It’s something obvious that a file manager should have, but only a few others do.
With the number of features and options that HotDoc does offer, it more than makes up for the not being able to zip files. In HotDoc, you can easily create folders and subfolders, and then transfer certain files to that folder. This is one of the key aspects of the app, which will help you manage and organize all your files with ease.
One of the main reasons Telejur Software developed HotDoc specifically for iPad is so you can view all your files in either horizontal or landscape orientation without having to open different tabs within the app. The screen size allows the user to be able to see all their files, folders, and parts of the app from Bookcases to Communication thanks to the great user interface.
You connect to your iPad by logging onto a WebDAV server, which then will upload all your files to your iPad to be able to view. On the top left as mentioned, are the Bookcases. This is where all your devices and folders are stored from your desktop to your laptop. Right next to that is the active content for the selected bookcase. All the files that you uploaded will show in that section of HotDoc for whichever bookcase you have selected.
Just below the Bookcase’s content is the virtual desktop. This is where all your files are which will allow you to copy or move files into different directories or destinations within the app. I found this part of HotDoc somewhat confusing at first, but the more time you spend with it, the more you understand what each component of the app does even though there are so many options and features to choose from.
Next to the virtual desktop is the communication panel. This is where you can sign into all your accounts and upload files to HotDoc. The communication panel is also where you connect to the WebDAV server to access your desktop.
HotDoc is a beautifully designed file manager with a great interface. When you first start using HotDoc, there may be some parts of the app that you may not be too familiar with if you’re used to working with something else such as GoogleReader, but HotDoc is pretty easy to navigate even for a novice.
Furthermore, Telejur have added a detailed instruction manual to the app to make sure you use HotDoc to the fullest of it capabilities. I think the developers have thought of almost everything to input into a file manager as far as tools and features. There are a few things missing such as the ability to create zip files, but this is something that can be improved on in a future update.
Price: $2.99, App Store Link
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