These days, it appears as though everyone has a home computer. It also seems like most people have iPhones. And I always see a surprising amount of people carrying around iPads, too. So it’s not out of the question to imagine that at least some of these folks own two or even all three of these devices. The problem is, in this age of shutter-happy digital photography, it gets a little hard to store all those pictures in one location. Putting them on the phone is a good idea because then they can be shown off at a moment’s notice. Keeping them on the pad makes for easy editing. But then, the computer has a lot more storage space. What to do…

Well, Adobe’s gone and made a reasonable solution to the issue: Adobe Carousel.

For all intents and purposes, it’s basically cloud photo storage. All images will be kept in one spot and will be available on any iOS device with an internet connection. Tweaking a photo from one (i.e. adjusting hues and the like) no longer requires syncing or transferring between systems; the updated image will be viewable by all instantly. Oh, and said editing can be done from inside Adobe Carousel, similar to Photoshop Lightroom. It certainly seems like something the photo-happy iOS user could get a lot of use out of.

Granted, all this convenience and freedom from restrictive storage capacities does have a price. A very literal price. Adobe Carousel will require a subscription which can be either monthly ($5.99) or yearly ($59.99), depending on the user’s preference. Granted this isn’t all that substantial when compared to various other subscription fees, and it has no restrictions so users can import, edit and browse as much as they want.

There doesn’t appear to be a specific release date yet, but according to Adobe’s website it should be out “soon.” Likewise there’s no official word on cost, free or otherwise, aside from the subscription fee. Still, this is an app shutterbugs should keep an eye out for.

When I was a kid, all I ever wanted to grow up to be was a member of the Starship Enterprise. Pity that of course it wasn’t real and instead part of the iconic TV show and subsequent franchise: Star Trek. I might never get to go up into space or meet any aliens but there is a way for me to have my very own LCARS (an acronym for Library Computer Access/Retrieval System) interface, the one that’s so familiar to Star Trek fans having been used in Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets in The Next Generation and subsequent series.

The Star Trek PADD (Personal Access Display Device) offers up a huge interactive database of all things Star Trek. The app is linked to the official StarTrek.com database offering information on all manners of aliens, ships, places, technologies and the ever important episode guide. There are even the familiar computer sound effects and voices that are so memorable from the show.

Users can browse or search to their heart’s delight as well as jump to related information through cross-links that are scattered around each entry. There’s also the ability to read the latest news from the Star Trek Facebook page as well as the official Twitter feed.

Most thrilling of all for fans are the two diagnostic modes that provide an overview schematic of the U.S.S Enterprise NCC-1701-D.

The database isn’t entirely complete but CBS Mobile and ArcTouch promise that there will be updates to add more information, ensuring that fans will always have something new to check out.

Star Trek PADD could have just been a regular database app covering such a memorable show but adding the fan service of the LCARS interface makes it all the more special.

Star Trek PADD is out now for the iPad and priced at $4.99.

$4.99

Star Trek PADD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2011-07-11 :: Category: Entertainment

Users of the popular database application FileMaker now have a new way to access important information while away from the office. The freshly launched FileMaker Go app for iPhone and iPad allows businesses and individuals to connect to, view and update a database using a local wireless network or via a Wi-Fi or 3G internet connection.

Databases shown in FileMaker Go are largely identical to their desktop equivalents, with any changes made via the app instantly written to the server. Available on PCs and Macs, a FileMaker database still needs to be created on the desktop but this new application will offer a greater degree of flexibility to users, especially those with remote sales teams. FileMaker databases can also be accessed via email, file sharing services like Dropbox and Box.net and can also be downloaded from the web and launched in FileMaker Go. Databases can also be added via iTunes file sharing on both iPhone and iPad.

As an extension to the existing FileMaker product you would perhaps expect FileMaker Go to be a free application, but the company has other ideas and is likely recouping development costs with a $19.99 price tag for the iPhone version and a hefty $39.99 for the iPad. Of course, the product is primarily aimed at business users who will likely foot the bill for the improved functionality offered. For the consumer, FileMaker also offers Bento for Mac, iPhone and iPad which is probably the best bet for non-business users.

$19.99

FileMaker Go

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-07-20 :: Category: Business

$39.99

FileMaker Go for iPad

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2010-07-20 :: Category: Business

Businesses need to keep up with the times to remain competitive these days and keeping up with the times currently means the iPad. Air Forms from Polar Bear Farm looks to provide just such a competitive edge by making it easier for businesses to use their existing databases to create tools that can be used on the move via the iPad.

Yep, it sounds dull and, if you don’t use an iPad or any form of database in your work, Air Forms won’t be your particular cup of tea. But if your business relies on its core information being available to staff outside the office, this could be a handy tool for you.

The app allows businesses to create their own native iPad interfaces for employees in the field whether they’re using the database for tracking data or inputting sales data. The app offers local and cloud data options with the former using data stored on the iPad and cloud allowing multiple users to access the same information. Beyond this setup, users can then create their own interfaces that, from the examples we’ve seen, look great.

Sure, it’s not for everyone, but Air Forms will certainly fill a niche for a wide range of businesses, especially those without a dedicated IT infrastructure.

[via Polar Bear Farms - Air Forms ]