New Feature in Total Mobile

[Airstream]

Is an old Android tablet ok to use or do I need a newer iPad with a mobile data plan?

I would call Alamode and find out if it would work. I don’t know what kind of smartphone you have, but you might want to try that first. You do need to be running either the Android or the Apple IOS.

If you do get an IPAD you don’t need a data plan. I did it for years without a data plan on my IPAD. But you may want to have a hotspot plan on your smartphone to use for uploading when in the field. Otherwise you can just wait to upload to the cloud when you get home.

Another option is the IPAD mini.

I personally use an IPHONE. I have an IPHONE 16. And for the following reasons:
1) Easier to handle. Which I got around by putting it in a bag I could sling over shoulder. Also get a very good protective case.
2) Better camera. Easier for taking wide angle shots.
3) Don’t need hotspot to upload. I was out today in the field and as soon as I got done I just uploaded to the cloud. The main reason to do that right away is to prevent data loss in case your phone or IPAD crash. It happens.

If you choose to use Apple I would get the biggest IPHONE you can get. Once in a while I used my IPAD if I did really large houses.

Obviously, much of this is personal choice. Whatever you get make sure you can run the latest operating systems.

 

[Tom D]

Can i have a desk with desk top computer on wheels, then i could just keep my cave man life style. I'm glad some of you techie people here are explaining the side i'm not familar with.

 

[LesPaul59]

The new feature in the Total Mobile App is the picture power view. Looks like very big improvement to help doing inspections. You can start the inspection with just taking pictures!! That is exactly how I work; Outside pictures first, then sketch, then to the interior. Much more intuitive!! For those a little concerned about using the mobile app this might help you get over your concerns with regard to inspection workflow.

I usually start inside. I do this because of mud/dirt or dog sheet (I rarely step in it, but it has happened) in the yard that I don't want to track into the house. And also 50% of the time when I pull up and the homeowner is home they feel like they need to come out and greet me before I even get out of the car.

 

[billo]

I would call Alamode and find out if it would work. I don’t know what kind of smartphone you have, but you might want to try that first. You do need to be running either the Android or the Apple IOS.

If you do get an IPAD you don’t need a data plan. I did it for years without a data plan on my IPAD. But you may want to have a hotspot plan on your smartphone to use for uploading when in the field. Otherwise you can just wait to upload to the cloud when you get home.

Another option is the IPAD mini.

I personally use an IPHONE. I have an IPHONE 16. And for the following reasons:
1) Easier to handle. Which I got around by putting it in a bag I could sling over shoulder. Also get a very good protective case.
2) Better camera. Easier for taking wide angle shots.
3) Don’t need hotspot to upload. I was out today in the field and as soon as I got done I just uploaded to the cloud. The main reason to do that right away is to prevent data loss in case your phone or IPAD crash. It happens.

If you choose to use Apple I would get the biggest IPHONE you can get. Once in a while I used my IPAD if I did really large houses.

Obviously, much of this is personal choice. Whatever you get make sure you can run the latest operating systems.

I use an Android tablet (Android 16 OS). The biggest problem I have is that the sketch function does not work properly. Vertical feet are shorter than horizontal feet. In other words, if you drew a 10' x 10' square, it appears as a rectangle with taller sides (~1.5 ratio). This can be extremely frustrating, especially if drawing curved or non-90 degree angles. From what I understand talking to tech support, it's also a problem on IOS. Tech support seems to take a pretty ho-hum attitude on this, which is also frustrating, though the last guy I spoke with claimed they have a new release coming out "soon." We'll see...

 

[Airstream]

I use an Android tablet (Android 16 OS). The biggest problem I have is that the sketch function does not work properly. Vertical feet are shorter than horizontal feet. In other words, if you drew a 10' x 10' square, it appears as a rectangle with taller sides (~1.5 ratio). This can be extremely frustrating, especially if drawing curved or non-90 degree angles. From what I understand talking to tech support, it's also a problem on IOS. Tech support seems to take a pretty ho-hum attitude on this, which is also frustrating, though the last guy I spoke with claimed they have a new release coming out "soon." We'll see...

I don't have a problem with proportions on the IPHONE or the IPAD. Been doing it for years with Apple IOS.

 

[Airstream]

I usually start inside. I do this because of mud/dirt or dog sheet (I rarely step in it, but it has happened) in the yard that I don't want to track into the house. And also 50% of the time when I pull up and the homeowner is home they feel like they need to come out and greet me before I even get out of the car.

The nice part about the Mobile App is you can do either one or the other. It has 2 workflow options. I start on the outside and go in. Just been doing that for 30 years. Over the years most of the homes I have appraised are second homes. So I rarely run into people. Makes it go much faster.