WHS Mobile v1.0.5 Saturday, June 27 2009 - Releases

WHS Mobile v1.0.5 includes a new iPhone client! The iPhone client has most of the same features as it’s Windows Mobile counterpart. Excluding uploading files (coming soon), image/music previews, and remote computer access.

New Features for Windows Mobile

  • Restyled launch screen - Touch friendly + bigger icons.
  • Reszies the home screen depending on screen size or orientation.
  • Remote Desktop forwarder - Forwards the RDP port using UPnP for each client PC if enabled, then accessible by the WM6 remote desktop client. Ports are changed every hour, use the WM client to get the port for a specific PC.
  • Preview mp3's and images before downloading - mp3 preview is WM6 only.
  • Bigger image thumbnails when thumbnail browsing is toggled (turned on by default).
  • Customizable share and folder icons – Create a folder.jpg file in said share/directory.
  • Location bar – Shows the current location on the server. Can be disabled under Actions.

New iPhone Client

I’ve made an iPhone client for iPhone and iPod Touch users. There is one down side, it requires a jailbroken iPhone. The only reason it requires one is because Apple has a $99 (one time) fee for submitting an app to the Apple App Store. I’m making this for free, why should I pay $99 to share it? So I decided that until I have the money to buy it, it will be accessible to users that have jailbroken their iPhone/iPod.

Notes:

  • For downloading files that aren’t images, the file is stored in /private/var/mobile/Applications/{RANDOM_GUID}/Documents on the device - (the GUID is different every install, so you’ll have to go through each one until you find the downloaded file. The only reason this happens is because the SDK limits access to a sandboxed directory. I can’t download a file and store it a root directory. I can with images because there is a function to save images to the saved images album.
  • Browsing to a folder with lots of images takes a bit to load the view. This is because I had the choice of downloading the thumbnails before loading everything or having slow performance when scrolling (because it would download and load the thumbnail for visible files in the list). I chose slow initial loading time.

Requirements

  • A jailbroken iPhone or iPod Touch with firmware version 3.0
  • The MobileInstallation patch (aka AppSync). Instructions to download and install it are here.
  • A Windows or Mac computer with iTunes setup to sync your device.

iPhone Setup

  • If you haven’t already, jailbreak your phone and then install this patch.
  • Download the IPA file and run it.
  • Sync the device
  • On the device, go to Settings –> WHS Mobile.
  • Type in the WHS domain (only yourname.homeserver.com, no http://) and the password.
  • It’s now okay to launch the WHS Mobile app.

Download

WHS Mobile Home Server Add-In

WHS Mobile Windows Mobile Client

WHS Mobile iPhone Client – If it downloads as a zip file, rename the extension to .ipa (or just use another browser, downloads properly in Firefox)

iPhone Screenshots

WHS_Mobile_iPhone_homeWHS_Mobile_iPhone_shares WHS_Mobile_iPhone_filesWHS_Mobile_iPhone_file_menu   WHS_Mobile_iPhone_users WHS_Mobile_iPhone_user_menuWHS_Mobile_iPhone_upnpWHS_Mobile_iPhone_settingsWHS_Mobile_iPhone_iTunes

Comments

Jumran on 6.27.2009 at 11:06 PM

Warning to anyone installing this on HP MediaSmart Servers. Uninstalling the add-in will delete the following 2 files causing drive lites and health monitor functions to fail.

C:\Program Files\Windows Home Server\Microsoft.HomeServer.RemoteAccess.dll

C:\Program Files\Windows Home Server\Microsoft.HomeServer.SDK.Interop.v1.dll


Jeroen on 6.28.2009 at 1:50 AM

Great stuff - I'd love to try out the Iphone version for my WHS.

However, with OS 3.0, there is not much reason anymore to jailbreak and I think the percentage of Iphone users with a jailbroken device is not so big anymore and will slowly decline.

Why not make into a paid app? If you price it at 5$ (or any price lower) I'd be happy to buy, and I'm sure others will feel the same way. And because you can dynamically price the apps yourself, once you've recouped the 100$ investement (or whatever else you think is fair) you can always decide to make it free after that.

Just a thought, but I hope this will show up in the app store a swell as I'm sure that will greatly help the amount of people that will discover your app!


Mexx on 6.28.2009 at 3:52 AM

A BlackBerry Client would be great! ;)


Brent Friedman on 6.28.2009 at 4:37 AM

Jumran,

I've fixed the installer as said here: forum.wegotserved.com/.../index.php Also, Microsoft.HomeServer.RemoteAccess.dll isn't already installed onto the WHS in that folder, my add-in puts it there. It's usually ony in C:\Inetpub\remote\bin.

Jeroen,

I'm planning to release it to the app store in the future, just not right now.

Mexx,

Like I need to adopt another project.. :-P


Thomas on 6.29.2009 at 4:46 AM

i agrree with jeroen.

i'd pay up to $5 for this you can make your money back and be profitable in the meantime. if anyone takes offense to aying for it they can jailbreak their phone. you'd be appealing to all markets.


Shawne on 6.29.2009 at 9:47 AM

I would pay for this as well. I would be willing to donate some for the upfront costs as well. I have a new Iphone and I do not want to jail break it.


Frank on 6.29.2009 at 10:21 AM

I agree. This app looks great. Definitely worth paying for. $5 would be a bargain!


Chris on 6.29.2009 at 10:22 AM

Hi Brent, I'll happily lend you the $99 you need to put it on the App Store...and I guarantee that by charging $0.99 for it you'll get the money back in no time! Heck, and if not, then as long as I get my copy for free then no harm!


Grant on 6.29.2009 at 11:12 PM

Hi Brent, yes I agree with others on this comments page and would gladly pay $5 to download. You would have your $99 back in no time! Thanks for the great work.


veloraptor on 6.30.2009 at 5:36 AM

Yes, I'd be happy to pay $5 for this.

Brent go for the AppStore and make it available, I am sure you will make profit, soon.


Mexx on 6.30.2009 at 2:00 PM

Also BlackBerry Users would pay for a app to access ther homeserver! (sorry for my bad english)


Jason on 7.01.2009 at 7:48 AM

I agree with the posts above, but I went ahead and jailbroke my phone anyway because this app looks excellent. However, I have done everything correctly and when I open the app and select either users or files the app crashes. Very disappointing for all the work that went into installing the app. Please provide some feedback.


Gareth on 7.01.2009 at 9:22 AM

Hi Brent I have installed this on my Ipod touch version 3.0, installed it to the console, but when I launch it on my ipod i see files users upnp, if i try to click any of these the preogram just shuts straight down, any ideas ?


Brent Friedman on 7.01.2009 at 9:51 PM

Gareth & Jason,

You entered your domain or IP in the settings? Along with setting a password on the WHS and using that password on the iPhone/iPod? Make sure you can access http://xxxxx.homeserver.com:8169/ or http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:8169/ from the phone. If you can't, check to make sure the service is started on the WHS. Also check to see if port 8169 was/is forwarded.


Victor Emmanuel on 7.02.2009 at 12:05 AM

Hi there , I've Tried and Fail like the rest ,

Kicks me when I touch the user or file icon , port forwarded, services are on , no firewall,

Am using iPhone 3.0 JB, ipa version 1.0.5.5.

the strange thing is , I get to View the page with, PC IE, MAC safari, and Iphone safari(3G or Wifi from outside the Network) ,but just not the app itself . Does this means my WHS is setup correctly since I get to see the webpage ?

Am really want to try this program since . ORB(speed, ok) and HP isteam( SLOW like hell )


Marcel on 7.02.2009 at 12:29 AM

hi Brent,

I have the same probs as Gareth, port forwarded and service is running.


Gareth on 7.02.2009 at 9:44 AM

Hi Brent,

I am sure I posted this earlier, the ports and services required are running but the app still crashes when I choose users or files. When I go to xxxxx.homeserver.com or http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:8169/ I recieve this page on either safari on the ipod or IE on my pc, Mobile Service

You have created a service.

To test this service, you will need to create a client and use it to call the service. You can do this using the svcutil.exe tool from the command line with the following syntax:

svcutil.exe xxxx.homeserver.com

This will generate a configuration file and a code file that contains the client class. Add the two files to your client application and use the generated client class to call the Service. For example:

C#

class Test

{

static void Main()

{

MobileClient client = new MobileClient();

// Use the 'client' variable to call operations on the service.

// Always close the client.

client.Close();

}

}

Visual Basic

Class Test

Shared Sub Main()

Dim client As MobileClient = New MobileClient()

' Use the 'client' variable to call operations on the service.

' Always close the client.

client.Close()

End Sub

End Class

Hope this helps because I don't have a clue what this means now.


Brent Friedman on 7.02.2009 at 1:23 PM

Thanks all, I'm looking into it. Can anyone try the old version for me? Let me know if it works..


Gareth on 7.02.2009 at 2:33 PM

Hi Brent,

I have just tried the olde version, and it is doing the same thing, loads, if I click upnp I see TCP Add and UDP, but if I tap files or Users it just closes down to the springboard, If it helps I am using a Ipod Touch on version 3.0 (1st Generation, Jailbroken with RedSnow)


Brent Friedman on 7.02.2009 at 5:48 PM

You did enter the password and domain into settings? And did the same in the WHS Console? I don't see why it works just fine for me and some people..


Gareth on 7.02.2009 at 11:48 PM

Yep entered the password and domain settings correct, i have also tried different variations, http://xxx.homeserver.com https://xxxx.homeserver.com same with ip address.


Brent Friedman on 7.03.2009 at 2:06 AM

Try without the http://.

Just the name. eg: xxx.homeserver.com


Gareth on 7.03.2009 at 11:13 PM

Hi Brent,

That worked, thank you very much, quick daft question will you ever be able to remote desktop from the ipod?

I wonder why it never worked with the http:// it front.

Thanks again.


Brent Friedman on 7.04.2009 at 8:38 PM

Gareth,

To start out, sorry, my blog didn't auto-approve some of your comments. As for why it didn't work, the app adds the http:// for you. All it asks for is the domain not the whole address. The domain would be yourname.homeserver.com.

Remote desktop isn't possible yet for the iPhone. However, there are few remote desktop apps for iPhone out in the app store. If you use my app for forwarding the ports with the iPhone, you won't know which port goes to which computer. So in this case, I'd recommend manually forwarding the computers you want access to. (UPnP on WHS Mobile only forwards ports to the WHS not other devices).


Glynn on 7.27.2009 at 2:16 AM

This app is awesome

100% cred to you Brent


Another iPhone User on 8.07.2009 at 6:22 AM

Mirror is down :-(


Brent Friedman on 8.07.2009 at 8:06 PM

Try again. I've fixed the problem.


Hugh G. on 8.09.2009 at 9:41 AM

As others have mentioned. I think if even had the app @ .99 you'd recoup your investment very quickly.

I have no interest in jailbreaking my phone but spending $25 a month on apps is pretty easy to do.


Brent Friedman on 8.09.2009 at 5:43 PM

I will be buying the developer membership this month. Hopefully this week. I will probably charge $0.99 for it.


Patrick on 8.12.2009 at 12:56 PM

Hi,

I can't get the Server Add-In running. When rebooting the server, the console says that there's an error with some addin.dll, and then it starts. I can see the WHS mobile addin as being installed, but it doesn't seem to be running (there should be an entry on the left).

On the first try, I saw the entry, but when clicking "enable", the console crashed.


Brent Friedman on 8.12.2009 at 3:03 PM

Patrick,

That will be fixed in the next version (coming soon).


Sada on 8.21.2009 at 6:17 AM

Hi,I'm useing this add-in on WM6 Pro(Japanese).I can't Preview mp3's,though I can preview JPG's.


Sada on 8.22.2009 at 1:20 AM

Oh,Sorry.

I did'nt understand that WM can't stream mp3's.

WMA is streamed successfully.


Brent Friedman on 8.22.2009 at 7:46 AM

Sada,

I remember getting mo3's to work with WM6. Unless I messed it up somehow. Strange..


Jeff on 8.31.2009 at 9:30 PM

I had the same problem getting kiccked out thout it was cause i installed with direct down load and installouos but it was my router I just opened port 8169 and all is well thanks alot for the app this and Google voice was the main reason for jailbreaking my 3GS


Simon on 9.10.2009 at 2:56 PM

Brent, this looks like just what I need. You can be assured I would have paid $5 for it so you should easily get your money back. Do you have a pay pal account we can deposit money into? I am mkore than happy to pay $4 on top of the $0.99 to App Stores


Simon on 9.10.2009 at 3:00 PM

Foolishly I spotted your "donate" button via pay pal after I sent my email. I have donated, so keep up the good work.


Greg Cothran on 9.15.2009 at 9:34 AM

Thank you for your hard work. I've made a donation and look forward to your app being posted to the app store.

Greg


Gary Goss on 9.25.2009 at 8:07 AM

I have installed the app and the plugin. When i try to connect the app just stops and gose back to the desktop. This is on my iphone. and yes i setup the port 8169 in my router. Any help?


Josh Morgan on 9.28.2009 at 6:22 PM

I just installed the WHS Mobile app and I keep recieving this error message.

Uh oh!

Either the WHS Mobile domain is incorrect, or the domain cannot be contacted.

I have port 8169 open and pointed to my homeserver.


Stephen L on 9.28.2009 at 7:31 PM

Josh, do you have v1.52 of the addin installed? And have you gone through everything on this instruction page: blog.compugeeksoftware.com/.../installing-whs-


Josh Morgan on 9.29.2009 at 7:10 AM

Is there a direct link for the add in for the homeserver because I did not know you had to install it on your homeserver as well. I just have the app installed on my phone.


Brent Friedman on 9.29.2009 at 8:34 AM

Gary Goss,

Did you download the software on this page? These links point to an old and outdated version of WHS Mobile. Please check out version 1.5.

Josh,

Please don't post your question on every blog post. I won't answer it any faster if you leave your comment in five places.