While I have totally bought into the iOS ecosystem, with most of my music, ebooks, video, and ALL of my apps coming from Apple’s various stores, there are still times when I download music or videos – don’t look at me that way, of course they’re all legal! – and can use some help converting it and copying it over to my various iOS devices. Enter iSkySoft TunesOver.
Overview
iSkysoft TunesOver bills itself as the ultimate media management solution for your iDevice and Mac. The app allows you to transfer music from your iOS device to your Mac. You can also transfer iPhone videos, playlists, and photos to your Mac.
Converting and Copying Files to the iPhone
I see myself using TunesOver as a file converter/copying utility the most. I was able to convert various file formats to iOS compatible files with just a few easy steps.
I tested video converting with various file formats, including AVI, VMW, and DivX. IN all cases, the files converted and copied to my iPhone, (I used both and iPhone 5s, and an iPhone 4 for these tests), and all files played properly using the videos app on my device.
A 32MB AVI file, 1:01 in length, converted and copied in less than 25 seconds.
Music was equally quick and easy to import. While I didn’t have access to some of the more exotic file formats for music, I did convert and import 20 MP3s from CD #1 of “That’s What I call Christmas,” 192 MB total, the entire process took just under 40 seconds.
Photos also fared well. Copying a folder of 62 JPEG files, amounting to 9.2MB, took just under 19 seconds to copy to the iPhone. (I assume there is very little conversion going on.)
Copying Files to the Mac
Copying files from my iOS devices back to the Mac was just as smooth. I copied a variety of videos, photos, and music files from my iPhone to my Mac, and in all cases they copied smoothly.
No file conversion seemed to take place, so copied files such as iTunes purchased material will likely be limited to playing in iTunes.
One quirk I noticed was when I first connected my iPhone 5s and attempted to copy my photos and videos, all taken with the device’s built-in camera, the app gave me an error message saying there were no photos found on the “iDevice.” This happened if I was attempting to import a single photo or video, or a number of them at one time.
I eventually imported all my photos form my iPhone to my Mac via iPhoto, and then deleted them. I then took numerous new photos and videos, and the next time I attempted an import, everything worked correctly. I’m still not sure what happened there.
All file and import operations can be performed manually, with the user selecting what he or she wants to copy either from or to their iOS device, or can be accomplished via one-click from the “Toolkit.”
One issue I have with the “Toolkit” menu is the inclusion of a “Coming Soon” row of icons. While it’s good to know the developers have plans for the app, it almost seems like they’re teasing us. Although, the email feature for suggestions that pops-up when you click one of the “Coming Soon” icons is a nice touch. I wonder if they get any suggestions?
Verdict
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to copy files to and from your iOS device without using iTunes, or need to convert video or music files to a format your iOS device can play natively, I would definitely recommend iSkySoft’s TunesOver.
While some may find they have no need for such a utility, TunesOver performs its tasks as advertised. I’ll admit, I was dubious as to why someone would really need such an app, but I can see it having a place in any Mac and iOS user’s toolbox for converting and copying files that iTunes and iOS don’t natively support.
Rating:4/5[rating:4.0]
Price: $39.95 – A trial version is available for download. Both the paid and trial versions are available at the iSkySoft website.
Pros:
- Conversions and importing are performed quickly and easily.
- The built-in file viewers are a plus.
- Converted videos don’t seem to lose any resolution or sharpness.
Cons:
- I’d still like to know what happened when the app refused to import any of my photos or videos.
- Don’t place icons in the app in a “Coming Soon” section of the menu. This only frustrates users.
