This week’s thing is file sharing using mobile devices. The portability of mobile devices makes them an ideal tool for accessing and sharing files on the move. We will look at sharing / syncing files across multiple devices (eg. your smartphone, tablet and PC), and sharing files with other people.
DISCOVER
Dropbox is a popular cloud storage tool for accessing and sharing files on mobile devices. It has apps for Android, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry and KindleFire. Files can be added to Dropbox by syncing from another device (including a PC) or directly added to the Dropbox mobile app. Dropbox also has a Camera Upload function that enables photos taken on a mobile device to be automatically or manually added to Dropbox. Dropbox files can be shared by sending a download link to another person, or by inviting others to a shared folder.
Dropbox Camera Uploads by Magnus Jonasson
Bump is a different way to share files with other mobile users. When two people have the Bump app open on their phones, they can share files, contacts and/or photos by bumping the two mobile devices together! Bump is also able to access Dropbox files for sharing in this manner.
Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service provided by Google. One of Google Drive’s strengths is the ability to edit files on your mobile device, making it a great tool for collaborative work.
Evernote, previously discussed in Thing 17, can also be used for sharing files across devices and with other people.
EXPLORE
Download the Dropbox app and create a Dropbox account. To get the most out of it, you may also wish to also install Dropbox on your PC or other devices. Add a file to Dropbox and watch it appear on another device with Dropbox installed. Try sharing a file from Dropbox by emailing a link to yourself.
If you can find a friend with Bump installed on their smartphone, try swapping contact details by bumping your phones together. You could also share a file between your mobile phone and PC by bumping the phone against the PC’s space bar (yes, it really works!).
Check out the 23 Mobile Things Pinterest board on file sharing and Dropbox for more information about file sharing using mobile devices.
THINKING POINTS
Do you have a favourite file sharing tool? Have you ever used it to share files or collaborate with other people on library projects or presentations?
Dropbox and other file sharing tools are a great way to collaborate with colleagues in other locations and/or organisations, however it is worthwhile checking whether your workplace has any restrictions in place regarding the use of such a service.
Consider privacy and confidentiality issues in relation to storing personal information in the cloud – this article touches on some of the potential legal and ethical issues surrounding client confidentiality and trade secrets.
Sally Cummings @sallysetsforth
Note from Kate: Thanks Sally for an amazing introduction to Dropbox. Don’t forget to check out 23MobileThings post on Dropbox as well.
ANZ 23 Mobile Things 
I do use Dropbox but not as often as I should; I end up doing daft things like send files by email then ‘save as’ and muck round when Dropbox would have solved it all. Thanks for the reminder.
Dropbox really negates the need for a USB device. The portability of this tool is fantastic and makes it instantaneous and reliable. Great for group work and multi users.
Cant really say anything negative about this tool as it really is convenient and makes data storage a much easier concept.