PDF Expert - App Review

PDF (Portable Document Format) files are everywhere. It is used as an excellent way to share information across platforms and has been around for a long time (17 years is an eternity in computing terms). PDF is also an open standard (ISO 32000), which means that there are no barriers to entry.

The beauty of PDF files is that they look like original documents but are also searchable. This means that you can find text within a file, without needing to read the whole document.

One of the myriad of used is for manuals; imagine having all your manuals, not just for electronic items but, household appliances, garden equipment, whatever, all in one place. Not only can you find them but, you can find the information you are looking for within them.

I'm not attempting to sell you on the idea of PDF (with over 150 million PDF files publicly available, the jobs already been done).

There are loads of PDF readers for iOS; some better than others. The difference with PDF Expert is that it allows you to read (obviously) and annotate PDF documents, including highlighting, making notes, and drawing. You can even add a page but not create a new blank document. I am so impressed by this App that there is a workaround to this; here is a link to a blank page for you to download (with an option to also have a confidential stamp).

Have you ever been irritated by someone (invariably a financial institution) sending you a PDF form to complete and then telling you that you cannot save the completed form; you need to print it out and then keep a copy for your records. PDF Expert allows you to complete the form and save it, and even sign it.

A word of caution though; the versions for the iPad and iPhone are not the same. The iPad version is the one with bells and whistles.

Now for the ACIDS test:

Aesthetics
The aesthetics of individual documents are, obviously, nothing to do with PDF Expert. As far as the App is concerned, it is as one would expect a listing of folders/files, with the option of picking any one (as well as moving) and then opening in a whole window.

One small word of caution though when using Dropbox (and that is very much a cornerstone of making this a killer App); remember to make sure that (if you modify a document), you resync to Dropbox.

Cost
It's not cheap but, in my opinion, is well worth the cost.

Indispensability
If you want to have all your PDF documents in one place and be able to annotate them then, this is the only choice. You should use this in conjunction with Dropbox which will ensure that you have the current version both on your iPad and your PC.

Dependability
Works 100% of the time (so far).

Security
As far as the PDF Expert App is concerned, the potential issue is that you store your signature and then leave your iPad lying around. As far as synchronising with Dropbox is concerned, this is covered here.



ACIDS Test Rating:

 You've just got to have it!

To find out how the ACIDS Test works, click here.

You can get PDF Expert Support here and the iPad App here.