iPad and Network Shared Folder Access

[Tokyo]

One thing that would be a big deal for me would be the ability to directly access shared files on another computer's hard disk over the WiFi network. Technically, I don't see why this should not be possible--say, you're in Pages, and you want to open a document that's on your iMac. It would be a pain to have to either tether and sync, or else put the iPad down and go over and email or otherwise somehow transfer the data. I had hoped that one would simply go to the Document Manager and have direct access to shared network disks from there. I would rather not pre-load to the iPad the hundreds or thousands of work files I have stored on my iMac just on the off-chance I'll want to work on one on my iPad (and then deal with keeping them current). This becomes much more an issue when dealing with higher-capacity files, such as music, movies, and photos, where even 64 GB won't necessarily hold all you want to access.

The only reason I can imagine Apple would not allow this is to force people to buy iPads with more built-in memory, in the same manner they started filling all RAM slots in Macs with smaller chips so as to make a 3rd-party RAM upgrade less affordable and so boost more expensive RAM sales directly from Apple on purchase. In short, a scam. I don't mind paying Apple's direct prices for quality hardware, but I positively hate it when they purposefully hobble functionality to drive customers to purchase more expensive options from them.

Does anyone know if (a) the iPad actually can access shared disk folders remotely, (b) there is or possibly will be a workaround for this, or (c) jailbreaking would open this up. Frankly, I have no intention of jailbreaking but would do so in a second if it were the only way to open up this feature.

Thanks.

 

[ImperialX]

The iPad's not officially released yet, and none of the reviews mention if you can access wirelessly.

So far, it has only been mentioned that you can drag your documents to the iPad via. iTunes. The 3.2 SDK also allows the iPad to mount as a drive on the computer (although whether or not it can do so is up to Apple, we'll find out when the iPad releases).

My guess is you can't. If you could I think the reviews would have mentioned. There are apps that allow you to do so, but in iWork, I don't think so.

 

[BobZune]

Not sure of the build in capabilities, but to address part (b) of the OP's message, the PrintCentral application says you can (among other things)

" * Mount your iPad/iPhone/iPod as a network disk on your Mac/PC
* Drag and drop documents & files to/from your iPad/iPad/iPhone/iPod
* Open, view & send documents and files while away from your Mac/PC "

It is a $9.99 app and is available through the iTunes store. The website is http://mobile.eurosmartz.com/products/printcentral.html

 

[Tokyo]

Thanks!

OK, now I'm feeling better about it. Not just because of Print Central, but because of what it means--that 3rd party solutions are indeed possible. Another app recently publicized, "Wormhole," looks very good in terms of accessing running apps on your desktop or laptop Mac remotely, for example. With news of these two, I am pretty confident that there will be more, hopefully one of them at least providing the feature set I'd prefer. What I'm hoping for is something that'll allow not only transfer between the two, but one that will then allow other apps, like Pages or Keynote, to access the files transferred. It'll be interesting to see what comes up.