Steamd

I use Basecamp quite a bit to manage the projects I do with Collabpad. So having a good, solid iPhone solution is starting to become a pretty important thing. A couple of weeks ago, I got a notification in my inbox about Outpost, the new iPhone application by Morfunk that allows you to manage Basecamp on the go. I was really excited. Finally I can monitor and process things on the go. It looked like a really promising app…till I read the reviews.

The problem with Outpost it seems is that it tries to sync everything locally to the phone. This sounds like a good thing but review after review after review indicates that it isn’t. Speed is the key to the success of a good Basecamp app. If I have to wait around for it to sync or if it crashes all the time because it can’t sync more than 30 projects at a time…that’s not a good thing. These problems made Output a major showstopper in my opinion.

Enter Encamp.

After reviewing other Basecamp solutions, I ended up giving Encamp a whirl. I was not disappointed. Upon opening the app and entering in my Basecamp domain and login, I noticed right off the bat that this was a pretty well designed app. The app felt like a typical iPhone application…which is a good thing. Rather than reinventing the wheel, Alexander stuck with the typical interface elements and workflow of most iPhone applications. The end result is an app that doesn’t take you any time to get used to. It just “feels” like a good iPhone app.

The other thing I noticed is that it’s fast. The only limitation is the speed of the network you’re on and whether or not if the Basecamp site is accessible. Encamp accesses information on Basecamp pretty darn quickly. It’s fast on wi-fi networks but it’s still pretty darn quick even when accessing it via 3G.

Is it perfect? No, but a version 1.x app rarely ever is. There are subtle things here and there that I wish were a bit different. For instance, it would be cool to have some way to switch between projects quickly without having to constantly tap back to the top project level. But that’s a very minor gripe that doesn’t at all have any impact on this review. 

About the only thing on my wishlist is the ability to view attachments on messages, to-do’s, and the like. I have a lot of clients that attach pics, Word documents, PDF’s, and such and I have to be able to review them prior to processing to-do’s and posting followup messages. If I were able to review things on the go then it would save me a ton of time. 

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a really good, solid Basecamp solution Encamp is the app to get! I’m looking forward to seeing what Alexander has in store for this app.