DropBox on Symbian^3: WebDAV vs Native App

If you're like me, you've found that DropBox is kind of irreplaceable in day to day life. [0].

One really frustrating thing about DropBox is that they offer DropBox API apps for Apple, Android, and even Blackberry. But poor old Nokians miss out.  We have to suffer with 3rd-party WebDAV providers such as www.dropdav.com, and set up a virtual drive in our Symbian 3 File Manager.

I've been using the WebDAV method ever since I got DropBox. I like that you can connect to your cloud-stored files anywhere you have a data or WiFi connection. I mainly use the service to store .sis and .sisx installer files I use on my N8.

My experience so far with WebDAV access is that it is slow at best, and at worst incredibly slow. Using WebDAV, it is sometimes quicker to use USB on-the-go to copy the file from the DropBox folder on the PC, connect the thumb-drive to the N8, transfer it to storage, then open the file. Of course, this totally defeats the purpose of having your files stored in the cloud.

Then I discovered Dropian.

Dropian is a Qt 4.7.1 application for Symbian 60v5 handsets (such as the N97 and 5800XM), and Symbian 3 handsets (such as the N8 and C7). Although the app is in advanced beta, the quality and stability of this app would lead you to believe it was ready for prime time. Like the Nokia Bubbles developers, Bojan Komljenovic (@knobtviker) is awaiting Nokia Smart Installer to be formally released before he can upload Dropian to Ovi Store (currently estimated at Week 17, or the first week of May)[1].  

My summary of Dropian is as follow:

• Quick
  Because Dropian uses the DropBox API, it is able to run incredibly quickly and retrieve your files with minimal delay.
• Clean UI
  Dropian uses a very clean, simple user-interface. For most common file formats, @knobtviker has ensured you see the file format's logo icon.
• Simple File Management
  Download Files (to a local folder that you specify), and Upload Files from your device to the cloud. Downloading and Uploading status is echoed back to you with a time estimation and status bar; something you just do not get with WebDAV.
• Join DropBox directly from the application
  Dropian has an account creation function built into the app.

Things that I think could be improved:

• More file format icons
  I've currently seen Adobe Acrobat icons, and Image icons. Purely for my benefit, I would love to see icons for .sis and .sisx extensions.
• Single Tap Selection
  Currently you have to double-tap each file or folder to open or navigate. I think standardising the interface to single-tap to access or tap and hold for context menu (if required) would be a positive UI enhancement.
• Open files directly from the app, rather than local download
  You must locally download files to your device, and sometimes all I want to do is launch a Symbian installer directly from my DropBox. WebDAV does allow you to open files directly, and this would be an awesome feature if implemented in Dropian.

If you end up using this app, and like it, I would encourage you to donate to the developer. The poor guy is doing all this on very limited hardware:

Seriously, my workstation is a Pentium 4 with 512MB RAM. It’s dying when it has to compile around 7000 lines of code.
30% of developing time is spent with me drinking water while waiting for it to compile. It’s funny sometimes…

[0] If you are yet to join DropBox, do so by clicking this link (to get 250MB extra storage) http://db.tt/0Xhcl6o

[1] This delay is holding innovation up in other areas as well. The incredibly popular Nokia Beta Labs application Nokia Bubbles is also delayed because of Nokia Smart Installer. 

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