PocketHub 2

Get access to your PC across the internet with this clever piece of software.

Price: £50

Manufacturer: PocketHub

Ratings

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Verdict

Pros:

Easy to use. Simple to set up.

Cons:
Struggles when you try to download files. Your PC has to remain on. You really need a broadband connection.

Verdict:

Ease of use: Just like browsing any other website.
Performance: Quick to access but struggles with large files.
Features: Lets you access all the important parts of your PC.
Value for money: Expensive for the occasional user.
Overall: A clever idea but it has strict requirements to work properly.

David Ludlow, Computeract!ve 06 Nov 2003

For the traveller, getting hold of email can be a problem. Web-based mail such as Hotmail gives you easy access from an internet cafe but it doesn't let you view past correspondence or all of your contacts.

With PocketHub 2, however, you can remote control your PC and get access to all of your emails, contacts and even files with a web browser and internet-connected computer. It works by installing some special software on your PC and, as long as your computer remains connected to the internet and turned on, you have full access to it. For practical reasons, you really need to have a broadband connection, as a dial-up connection isn't reliable enough.

PocketHub interacts directly with your email software, such as Outlook Express, so any emails you send or receive are stored on your PC. After a quick installation process, your PC is registered with PocketHub and you get a unique web address to access it from. Just type this into any web browser anywhere in the world, enter your password and hey presto, you have access to all of your email and contacts through a web page. The interface is surprisingly easy to use and we were soon up and emailing. We also tried it using the web browser on the Orange SPV (reviewed on page 26) and were pleased to see that this worked just as well.

PocketHub also gives you full access to all of your files and you can browse your PC as though you were there. For supported file types, including most images and Word documents, you can even view the file inside your web browser. From there, you have the choice to email it or download it to your PC. The download function worked well for small files but struggled on larger ones such as MP3s.

We were mostly very impressed with the software. It gives you simple access to your PC when you're away, although the price means that it's only suitable for people who travel a lot and still need access to their main PC.

Contact: Pocket Watch Systems 0870 300 0094
www.pocketwatchsystems.com

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