By Mark Yeong

Has it ever happened that you forget to bring an important file for that important presentation which will happen in the next half an hour? Well fret not, if you’re hooked on with the Ovi Files service, you can gain access to your files easily on your mobile phone or any other computer connected to the Internet.

The files service by Ovi allows users to access files from their computers via mobile phones anywhere, anytime.

Show Photos

Using Files, your images are automatically resized for your mobile screen. You can now browse, search and view your entire photo collection residing in your computer directly on your mobile phone.

View Files

Files also let you browse, search and view files stored on your computer. Now you can view your Microsoft Word Document, Adobe PDF and other file types via your mobile phone.  You can also view individual pages of the document and control zoom levels to easily read the document on your mobile phone.

Download Music

Easily access your music tracks on your mobile phone. You can retrieve your favorites music tracks straight from your computer and enjoy them using the music player on your phone.

Send files

Never have to wait to get your files out! You can now share your files with your friends via your mobile phone or computer. Just select the file and recipients and you’re ready to share! It’s somewhat like yousendit.com without the need to upload your file, but if you really need to put the file on the Internet, the service is readily available.

Anytime files

An important service which the files service offers is Anytime Files, essentially this service provides synchronisation of files or folders which you want available onto the Ovi servers, means you are still able to access your important files even when your computer is offline.

There is one thing to note. The Ovi Files service does not come free and it comes in two flavors, option one gives you 10GB of storage space while option 2 gives you 30GB of storage space. 10GB of storage will set you back USD$9.99 / month or $79.99 / year (33% savings) and 30GB of storage cost USD$19.90 / month or $149.99 / year (37% savings). A 60 day trial is included once you have signed up and charges will only occur after the trial.

Ovi files require that you install an application; thereafter you can execute basic commands such as Send, Download, Upload to Folder, Add to Anytime Files on your files or folders from your web browser. A similar browser window will appear on your mobile phone when connected to Ovi.

Usage

Although this service is pretty handy at times, it really does depend on your needs to remotely gain access to your files. Perhaps those holding full time jobs would find such a service useful as it provides access to the files residing in their personal computer at home (Yes, you’ll have to run the computer 24/7 unless you use Anytime files to sync specific folders).

Another way to use files would be at a company level. Various departments can use the files service to place important files onto a “server” (in this case the computer which is dedicated to the Ovi files service). Important files can be uploaded to the Ovi servers using Anytime files and if you’re doing client servicing, the files can be sent to your clients easily through Ovi (it’s like an online FTP solution, so any changes to the folder contents clients will be able to access the modified files).

Data Access

Data access speeds also plays a part as to how fast you can retrieve files from your computer, Upstream speeds (256kbps – 1Mbps) are much slower then downstream speeds (1Mbps – 10Mbps) for consumers, so accessing huge files will take much longer.

Another concern for those accessing Ovi Files using their mobile phones would be data access charges, with prices starting from about SGD$28 a month (30GB / Unlimited) a month via various service providers. I would recommend for a plan that provides at least 500MB of monthly data usage, else you might get a rude shock when you see your skyrocketed bills.

Ovi Files

Ovi files is a great service which gives users the ability to carry and access your files anywhere, on a business trip or on a holiday. Anytime files comes in as a useful solution as it not only provides a backup solution (I’ll sync my documents folder for sure); it also gives me direct access to my files online, where I can then choose to download or even share my files with my friends.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive filing solution, hook up with Ovi and test drive the Ovi Files service free for 60 days.