iNotes Ultralite on the iPhone

Ok, I promised, so here it is - my impressions of iNotes Ultralite on the iPhone (3G).

iNotes Ultralite is basically a very cut down version of (the much loved Domino web mail front end) iNotes, or as it was formerly known, Domino Web Access, or as it was even more formerly known, iNotes. 

Ultralite was developed specifically for mobile devices (and although IBM would probably deny it, let's be honest here, pretty much specifically for the Apple iPhone). Because it is a web based product, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages when you compare it to something like a Notes Traveller or CommonTime mSuite or similar. 

First, you have to browse the web for everything - even contacts. This is both a blessing and a curse. Nothing is stored on the phone, so if you lose it, you don't have all of those security concerns. But, it's kind of slow because you browse (although certainly not too bad if you have a 3G connection), and most importantly for those of us that don't live in the land of "all you can eat" iPhone data contracts, unless you can find a free WiFi to connect to, it uses expensive 3G bandwidth.

On top of that, while I'm ok with jumping on the web and logging in and clicking a few icons to get my email or even my calendar, I have to say, having to do it to get someone's phone number - while I'm on my phone - is a bit painful.

My other top bugbear because it works like this is that you don't get reminders for calendar appointments. This is a major one for me because I am the most forgetful person on the planet.

Once you are connected though, the UI is great. It's well thought out, well laid out, pretty much works exactly as you would expect - particularly if you use other iPhone apps. All in all, I'm really happy with it.

One thing you have to keep remembering is that it is a CUT DOWN version of mail. Because of that, there are things you can't do.

Overall, I really do like it, and I'm pretty happy with the functionality. That being said, I do tend to use it much more as a reader than a creator. For example, I never create appointments using it and I very rarely create emails on it (although I do reply a bit). 

I'm looking forward to the update to Traveller which will include the iPhone to see what it's like. I'll be sure to blog about that as well when I get it.