SPB Wallet 2.0 for iPhone and desktop review
June 26, 2009 by Johan van Mierlo
Filed under Apple iPhone
SPB Wallet has been around for a while on the desktop, Windows Mobile and Symbian phones. But as of June 24th this great sensitive data management application is also available for the iPhone.
Below is a short description of the SPB Wallet software from their press release which explains it best.
SPB Wallet AES 256-encrypts and password-protects all stored sensitive information. SPB Wallet supports automatic lockup, automatic clipboard cleanup, and protects from phishing. The stored data can be synchronized between (and accessed from) multiple PCs and mobile devices. The virtual, electronically stored licenses, cards, and passports look like the real ones: SPB Wallet 2.0 offers an integrated online database with images of thousands of most popular cards and documents, plus the option to order more custom pictograms – for free. The desktop component of SPB Wallet offers advanced integration with web browsers, automatic supply and capture of online login information, includes a password generator, and a migration wizard from custom CSV formats and from other wallet applications.
Importing existing data from another wallet application
I have been using a different wallet application for a while, and I didn’t wanted to retype all of my close to 300 entries all over again. The desktop application allows you to import the exported files from all major wallet applications that currently exist for the mobile devices. I did an export and an import and my data is available in a separate folder in the SPB Wallet named after my previous wallet application. Now you just have to reorganize them if you want.
Synchronizing Desktop application with iPhone
On my previous wallet application,I could only synchronize the desktop information with my iPhone through a Wifi connection using the Bonjour sync application installed on my laptop.
The problem I had, is that I use the wallet application on my main desktop, which had no Wifi.
Thes following steps I had to follow to sync my desktop data with my iPhone.
- I had to sync my desktop version with my Windows Mobile device through active sync
- I Synced that Windows Mobile Device with the desktop application on my laptop which has Wifi
- Now I could sync my iPhone with my Laptop through Wifi and the Bonjour sync application.
SPB Wallet for iPhone came with a great solution for this. Besides syncing your desktop application and the iPhone together using Bonjour sync over Wifi, it also allows you the encrypted cloud synchronization with a Gmail account.
I currently am cloud syncing now my data between two laptops and the iphone using a Google account with my own domain. To be able to sync in the cloud allows you not to be depended any more on different sync applications on the different platforms.
Key Features
Now that I have gone over the two major differences of the SPB Wallet application I will sum up the key features. A lot of these features are also available on the competion applications, however SPB Wallet always adds a little bit extra.
- Secure Storage for sensitive information (string AES 256 Bit encryption, Automatic wallet locking)
- Cards look like those in your wallet
- Cards flip flow
- Online templates gallery with 7000+ most popular cards integrated into application
- Free template creation by request
- Password auto fill for websites in web browser
- Cards and templates are fully customizable
- Templates import, export and sharing
- 60+ predefined templates, icons and graphics
- Item level synchronization with support of multiple devices and desktops (cloud synchronization with Google Mailbox and desktop synchronization over Wifi with Bonjour sync
- Smart card fields allow taking action right from the wallet (open links, send e-mails, make phone calls and send text messages from the application)
- Password generator
- Quick search
- Compatible with Apple iPhone, Windows Mobile professional and Standard, Symbian S60 and Windows desktop
- Desktop specific (SPB Wallet toolbar and automatic password supply for Internet explorer and Firefox)
- Desktop import wizard from other Wallets (eWallet, FlexWallet, CodeWallet, SplashID, HandySafe and custom CSV)
- Desktop quick search
- Desktop backup and wallet in tray
- Desktop Drag & Drop for fields inot other apps
As you can see SPB Wallet has so many options to keep your data safe and avaialble to you on many devices. For me this is going to be the wallet application I will be using for now.
The SPB Wallet desktop version is available at the SPB website for $9.99
And the iPhone application is available for $9.99 at either the SPB website with a link to the App store.
Together this is under $20 and is $9 less compared to the Windows Mobile version. The price is very reasonable for a great useful and needed application to securely manage all your sensitive information.
Johan van Mierlo has been writing and reviewing for the online communities since the launch of the handheld computer Palm IIIe and Compaq iPaq in 1998. He owned and tested many mobile devices including Windows Mobile, Palm, Symbian, Android, iPhone and many different GPS and Mobile products.Johan was awarded MVP Windows Mobile Devices by Microsoft in 2008 and 2009 for his community activities last year.
Finally, I was waiting for a descent wallet application for the iPhone. Nice review by the way.
I do think that the options for remote & in the cloud storage of your wallet information is really a great feature of this software.