X-plore is a file manager for S60 phones that aims to offer superior file handling facilities and a wide range of functions. Does it do the trick? Find out in our X-plore review.
We were impressed with X-plore from the outset because - unlike several other file management apps - it takes on the theme settings of the phone and adopts your chosen look and feel. Winningly, it does this while also implementing its own user interface that mimics the default widgets and controls but adds extras such as pop up thumbnails.
X-plore shows you your files and folders in one long tree structure for each drive (or memory card). Rather than just using the tree to show folders, you expand each 'branch' to show your files too. This has the advantage of speed, but can sometimes be confusing and we would have liked the option to 'double-click' into a folder to show a detailed view on the files within.
File handling is where X-plore really shines. The app has built-in viewers for several formats including text, Word DOC, JPG and PNG. The DOC viewer is lightning fast, although it displays only the text of the document, not formatting or embedded images.
As you scroll through a folder of images, tiny thumbnail pictures pop up next to each filename giving an instant preview. The image viewer can zoom and display fullscreen an there is a 'next' option to perform rudimentary slideshows (although though no 'autoplay').
You can also use X-plore to play MP3 and other supported audio files and preview movies. The players are basic, but much faster than spawning a copy of the system media players. If you need to use the system versions, just long-press on a file and select 'Open by system' from the impressive-looking circular menu.
Best of all, X-plore can create and open ZIP archives, which can help you to get more out of your limited SD Card space as well as open downloaded archives.
If the built-in viewers aren't cutting it, X-plore will let you define file associations with installed apps - e.g. to have a .log file opened with a text viewer or spreadsheet app.
We found it difficult to fault X-plore. The interface is perhaps a little fiddly, particularly in tapping the tiny + sign that expands a sub-folder, but the sheer range of functions and flexibility make this a powerful and useful app for your toolkit.
Details
Price: $9.99 - free trial available with nag screen, unlimited use
Size: 0.915 MB
Check out our X-plore review photo gallery:
