Memeo iExtend review

Memeo's iExtend is designed to work with your iPod.

It's more like a conventional backup application rather than "your digital life on your iPod" as proclaimed on the packaging. It will work with a variety of storage devices, including external hard disks.

When you start to use iExtend for the first time, you can change the default backup device from an iPod to any other device connected to your PC, including your internal or external hard disks, or even a network storage device. Leave the default setting as your iPod, though, and the software will find it and connect to it automatically.

The main advantage of using an iPod is that iExtend can store files, such as photos and emails, in a way that allows you to view them on the iPod's screen. As well as using the iPod as a backup device, you can also use it as a kind of PDA to store and view emails, contacts and other information. It's worth mentioning, though, that the ability to view these files on the iPod screen is already built into the iPod's own operating system, so iExtend is speeding up the process of transferring files rather than adding new features.

The program's backup features work well. You can instruct it to back up specific folders or file types, such as telling it to back up any Word files or Excel spreadsheets so you don't need to waste time locating each individual file yourself. It can automatically locate and back up internet bookmarks, emails and RSS newsfeeds. There are several Smartpick options, such as the ability to selectively back up the 100 most recent digital photos you have uploaded to your PC, which is handy if you like to show friends and family your latest snaps. Options such as these make it quick and easy to back up a large number of files to an iPod or an external hard disk.

The program has a few rough edges. Photos and RSS feeds were sometimes backed up on the iPod, but stored in the wrong place so they couldn't be viewed on the iPod's screen. While the program can start a backup automatically whenever you plug in your iPod, there are few other scheduling options, so it's hard to schedule backups for specific times.

We can also see some problems with using an iPod as a backup device. First, you carry them round all the time, so it's not the safest form of storage. Aside from the implications of dropping one, iPods are common targets for thieves. Second, you have to leave enough room on your iPod to make it a viable backup destination. If your iPod is anything like ours, then you won't have any room at all.

That said, iExtend works well with iPods and provides a simple way to view files and emails on the move without having to buy a PDA or smartphone. It's also good value. If you're only interested in making backups, though, we'd recommend a dedicated storage device and a dedicated backup application, such as Argentum's Backup, which is $25 (around £15) from www.argentuma.com.