Of all the ipad apps that you used, which would you recommend?
Which one are you using?
Am thinking of getting xtrafolio based on some new features that they wanted to add. (sub folders + pdf reader) What you think?

Chan

March 12, 2011 at 13:41
At the moment I really like FolioBook but it’s slow to use. I’m hoping when I get the second iPad it will perform better, but I see no reason why it can’t because Developers don’t have to do much to benefit from the better processors.

But not a single App I’ve used yet does everything I want it to. Most importantly I want to edit captions, XtraFolio is the closest in that regard.

I’m looking forward to the ViewBook app which is coming out next month and seeing what that can do.

jonathanjk

March 12, 2011 at 14:37
How well does FolioBook handle PDF files? Are they just like opening a picture? I am asking cause I have drawings along with the images that I use when I present.
Also the 2 up option. Can we pinch zoom with it individually?

Chan

March 14, 2011 at 03:56
With the 2-up option you can’t pinch to zoom, it’s a neat idea, I would suggest it to Ryan (the developer) of Portfolio.

At the moment I haven’t found a way to import a PDF into FolioBook. FolioBook doesn’t support iTunes File Sync and downloading a PDF with the iPad will open up iBooks. Thanks for asking this, I will add it to the review.

But also I’m sorry for not giving you the answers you wanted.

jonathanjk

March 14, 2011 at 08:34
Thanks for the feedback.

That is ood that you cant import PDF. In your review it says “Add Metadata to images, videos and PDFs.” and “browse PDF”.
Err…. How do you do that if we cant import PDF?

Chan

March 15, 2011 at 02:16
You were talking about FolioBook regarding PDFs. The text you quoted me is from my Portfolio review, Portfolio handles PDFs fine.

jonathanjk

March 15, 2011 at 09:27
Oops… I meant Portfolio.

Also another question about Portfolio. It treats PDF file like just another image? Will it run in the slideshow? What about multiple page PDFs?

Also are there options for sub folders?

Chan

March 15, 2011 at 16:30
If you import a pdf into a slideshow, it will treat multiple pages as separate slides. You still scroll from right to left within a PDF. When you have finished, you simply move into the next image.

No subfolders, no portfolio App I’ve reviewed does this not sure why you would want them. Why would you want them?

jonathanjk

March 15, 2011 at 17:20
Sub folders for sub catergories :-)
I am an architect trying to use the ipad for presentation. It would be great if there was a project folder — for example W Hotel, then i got sub folders for the Lobby, Restaurant, Rooms, Lounge, etc… That way i can isolate the areas within that project when i present rather than scroll through the entire project to get to an area.
Heard XtraFolio will introduce sub folders in their update.

Chan

March 16, 2011 at 15:19
That makes perfect sense now, yes XtraFolio will be adding that feature to their App soon. Try their free version as well. They are the only ones to offer such a thing.

jonathanjk

March 16, 2011 at 16:02
I have tried their free version already but seems lacking in features. If they do implement all that they promise in their updates then it would be perfect.Also dont know how well they will intergrate the PDF option in.

But i like the 2 up option in Portfolio. Lets me show 2 different option of my projects.

What you think?

Chan

March 16, 2011 at 17:17
It really seems like a decision between Portfolio and XtraFolio. Kinda hard when they both are going to add features and we’re in the dark as to when that happens.

If you’re not in a rush, I’d wait, or email them and ask them when are they going to bring out a new release.

jonathanjk

March 16, 2011 at 19:27
Something came up during a presentation yesterday. I was asked if I wanted to present on a projector. So i looked up the ipad to VGA connector. It claims only some apps can be projected through the cable but it needs the app to have the ability to detect the 2nd display.
Question is, does any of the portfolio apps that you reviewed able to use a 2nd display?

Chan

March 19, 2011 at 12:15
I’ve just contacted all the developers of the Apps I’ve reviewed, so far only the makers of PadPort have got back to me and they don’t support it. I’m 90% sure (until I hear back) Portfolio does however.

Have you bought one of the Apps yet?

Btw if you buy the new iPad, all software will be mirrored, the OS handles it, for us stuck on the first version, its down to the individual developer to include it.

I’ll get back to you on this, its a good question.

jonathanjk

March 19, 2011 at 17:23
Yeah i heard about the mirroring with the iPad 2 but I just got this so will be using it for a while. The new iPad2 nothing to add to my usege.

Hope someone will include it in their app, at least as an update.

Havent bought any of the Apps you review yet. I got SortShot and PhotoSort but they dont seem to be what i am looking for. Still waiting for XtraFolio’s update before i get them. They are quite a little pricey for me here, so dont want to waste buying something that i wont use.

Chan

March 19, 2011 at 18:09
You’ll be happy to know, Portfolio supports mirroring, but not the ability to zoom due to memory limitations with the first iPad. (I actually listed that feature in my review but forgot I mentioned it).

I also wouldn’t count on the other Apps including it, not when its so easy on the new iPad. I know FolioBook won’t be adding it as a feature anyway.

jonathanjk

March 19, 2011 at 18:27
More luck. The xtrafolio developers have stated they will add it as well. They said to check their Facebook page for future updates.

jonathanjk

March 19, 2011 at 20:13
I wanted to share this quote from Paul Freeman, the developer of FolioBook in regard to screen sharing:

“I’m not likely to implement this now because of the built in screen output on the iPad 2. My desired feature list is long and it was something that relatively few people have asked for, so it was always dropping off the end of the list.

I know its a drag to have to contemplate an iPad 2 if one is on a budget, but I think with the prices for iPad 1′s holding up on Ebay it would be a good upgrade if and when there are any of the darn things to be had. The extra memory will be a huge boon for apps like foliobook that are media rich, they really push the iPad 1 to its limit (and beyond). I’ve spent about 1 month reducing the memory footprint of the app, and making it a better citizen of iOS with this version, but still it will sometimes push the iPad 1 over the brink, its quite frustrating, but then the iPad is just a mobile device and not a ‘proper’ computer. With iPad 2 I can turn on some small but nice looking visual effects that iPad 1 couldnt handle, selectively of course these will remain switched off on the version 1 iPads.”

Hope this helps as well Chan.

jonathanjk

March 27, 2011 at 21:19
Damn. And i just got my iPad 1.

Wonder what additional visuals they going to add. Thought the visuals were our portfolio…

Chan

March 29, 2011 at 07:12
Hi Jonathan,

thanks for the awesome work on the reviews. I’m in the stages of looking for the ideal portfolio app for myself as well. I’m still working my way through your reviews, but was just wondering if there were any that do nested galleries? ie I am wanting something like this:

Weddings
– Tom and Jerry
– Bob and Jane
– Chris and Martha
– etc
Engagements
– Susan and Peter
– Mike and Paula
– etc
Portraits
– Dave and Christine
– etc

So the top level would only have the three main categories, and then when clicked on you would then filter down to the sub portfolios within them?

From what I have seen from most of the apps it looks like you can only do galleries on a single main level?

Thanks!

Jason

Jason

April 6, 2011 at 16:43
Hi Jason, that’s right, all of them for the moment allow galleries on a single level.

However, XtraFolio are bringing out a big update at the end of April which will add nested galleries. Check their facebook page out. When XtraFolio do update their App, I’ll be updating the review (same rule goes for all the others) as well.

jonathanjk

April 6, 2011 at 17:14
Something that is bugging me. I started using Goodreader for viewing my pdf files. So i switch between the portfolio all for pic viewing and the pdf. But after minimizing the portfolio app it will always go back to the main page. Any of the apps here “remembers” the last view image and continues from there?

Chan

April 7, 2011 at 13:07
FolioBook, PADPORT, Portfolio to Go, Collections for iPad, Portfolio, PadFolios do save their state.

At the moment, Pocket Portfolio doesn’t and neither does XtraFolio.

jonathanjk

April 7, 2011 at 14:28
Thanks Jonathan. Using Xtrafolio and sort shots. Neither of them saves their states. Seems like Xtrafolio delayed their update.

Chan

April 7, 2011 at 16:19
You think Xtrafolio will let us save state in their update? Still not sure of Portfolio because they dont have sub folders. Think Jason have the same concern.

Chan

April 7, 2011 at 16:26
I would hope XtraFolio does allow saving one’s state, seemed unnatural when they didn’t in the first update.

XtraFolio have saved their update till the end of the month to simplify things, I don’t think they wanted two updates in a month. Have you checked their facebook page for what the future updates will be bringing?

Ryan, the developer of Portfolio said his update is coming soon btw.

jonathanjk

April 7, 2011 at 16:41
Dear Jonathan:

For you, which app is better: Foliobook or Portfolio?

Thanks.

Mauri Chavez

April 22, 2011 at 16:51
For me at the moment, with the two you’ve listed I am favouring Portfolio.

jonathanjk

April 22, 2011 at 17:02
hi jonathan
i’ll be buying an iPad tomorrow and i’m looking for a good portfolio app to show my work.

a big thank you for these great reviews!

alexandre

July 22, 2011 at 19:51
At the moment I’m really enjoying MinimalFolio and Viewbook (Viewbook is limited to those who already pay for the web service. I’ll be using it at my MA exhibition unless one of the others sway me. I’ve been out of the loop lately because of the MA but I’ll be posting updates to existing reviews fairly soon.

Enjoy your iPad and thanks for reading, I hope you stick around.

jonathanjk

July 23, 2011 at 02:48
Have you tried Foliozo?

Chan

September 21, 2011 at 15:46
Hello again Chan. No I haven’t, I’ve been out of the loop regarding these portfolio apps. Thanks for letting me know about it. Ill add it to my queue.

jonathanjk

September 21, 2011 at 16:30
Great. I like the dropbox folder sync function. Just curios if we can do sub-sub folders in the dropbox folder.
Keep up the great work Jonathan. :)

Chan

September 21, 2011 at 16:42
Stumbled upon your website. Thanks for all the reviews of portfolio apps. Decided to go with Minimal Folio for an architecture portfolio. Cheers.

John

December 29, 2011 at 04:59
Cheers John, glad I could help.

jonathanjk

December 29, 2011 at 13:08

J O N A T H A N JK . C O M

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