Norton readying iPad app to access online backup services
updated 10:50 pm EST, Thu February 18, 2010
Beta not promising iPad any security protections
Symantec has released details of its upcoming Norton 360 app for the iPad. The service allows users to back-up data online, including documents, music, photos and videos. Users will be able to access the data and share it with others via URL links. Norton has yet to confirm if users will be able to play video, view photos or listen to music directly from the app interface. The utility also appears to lack protection tools for viruses or other security threats.
Norton 360 software is limited to Windows machines at this time, costing $80 for a standard edition with 2GB of online backup. A premium edition can be purchased for $100 and includes 25GB of online storage. Norton expects its first beta of the iPad app to appear within the next few weeks on the iTunes App Store.
Whoa
02/19, 01:27am reply
A Norton App that WON'T trash your OS... picture that!
WiseWeasel
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 1999
Why would I want this?
02/19, 01:28am (1 reply) reply
I have time machine.
aristotles
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Norton...
02/19, 06:30am reply
For when your computer just needs to crash more often.
l008com
Professional Poster
Joined: Jan 2000
Don't Approve
02/19, 09:38am reply
I hope Apple doesn't approve this thing. Norton's apps do more harm than good on Apple hardware.
chefpastry
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2005
Safety Zone?
02/19, 09:40am reply
If there's anything Windows users seem to learn about computing, it's that it's unstable, unsafe and scary. And you certainly can't handle it yourself.
I've had a hard time convincing otherwise intelligent switchers or soon to be switchers that dealing with Macs is fairly trouble-free. If the iPad user experience is anything like that of my iPod touch, it'll be even less intrusive. and easier to deal with. Imagine how frightening that'll be... until they get used to it.
Maybe Norton will make WinDorks feel more comfy. There's nothing quite like companies sponging off customers' fear.
JeffHarris
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 1999
A device without Norton software...
02/19, 11:52am reply
...is like a chocolate cake without mustard.
Symantec's security software is IMHO worse than the malware from which it allegedly provides protection. When I work on the Windows machines of friends and relatives, the -first- thing I do is uninstall any Symantec c*** I find, and replace it with Avast or, lately, Microsoft Security Essentials.
Symantec's chief product is FUD, not software.
phillymjs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2000
Re: Why would I want this?
02/19, 04:27pm reply
I have time machine.
Well, first, you need to know what it is. All time machine does is back up to an external disk. This syncs data to an online location and allows you to share it with others and access it from anywhere (your iPad, Mac, etc).
For an Apple product, it would come closer to .Mac than Time Machine, although .Mac doesn't give you an easy way to access your public content from your iPhone (the app for that only accesses your private folders, but the public ones, like Sites or Web, aren't available). And no easy way to get a URL to pass to another.
This is most like DropBox, though (which would be better if you could backup any set of directories and files, not just a 'special' folder).
However, it is a Norton product, so just stay away.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001