How does iOS store documents opened with multiple applications?

[slugg]

So here's the usage scenario. I have the Adobe Reader app and Dropbox app. I downloaded a PDF through DropBox, then opened it in Adobe Reader (within Dropbox, you can use the "open in..." command). Now, every time I open Adobe Reader separately, it shows up as a document.

Has the file been copied, so essentially I now have two copies of the same file, taking up twice the space? Or is iOS smart enough to let them share the same file, like how it works on Windows?

Thanks 🙂

 

[Tegeril]

I can't recall specifically, but go to settings, usage, and look at the app usage/file sizes. Then do it again with a new document, return and compare.

 

[TheStu]

The apps are sandbox, so they may be copying the file, but I'm not 100% sure.

Tegeril's suggestion seems like a good way of finding out for sure.

 

[slugg]

I'm trying to figure this out before I go buy an iPad... Would anyone mind running the experiment? Pweez 🙂

 

[manly]

https://www.dropbox.com/help/80/en

 

[TheStu]

I'm trying to figure this out before I go buy an iPad... Would anyone mind running the experiment? Pweez 🙂

It appears that each app gets a copy of the file. I grabbed an ebook I had on my Skydrive, and opened it in iBooks.

Both of their reported storage usage went up. Skydrive by the size of the file, iBooks considerably more. I'm not sure why the discrepancy happened.

 

[slugg]

hmm. That's a major shame. Kinda defeats the propose of cloud sharing. I appreciate you running the experiment for me - thanks!

 

[TheStu]

hmm. That's a major shame. Kinda defeats the propose of cloud sharing. I appreciate you running the experiment for me - thanks!

No worries, it made me curious as well.

I don't use that sort of thing all that often, so it doesn't bother me too terribly much, but... the smallest capacity iPad is 16GB, what size files are you going to be working with anyway?

 

[slugg]

No worries, it made me curious as well.

I don't use that sort of thing all that often, so it doesn't bother me too terribly much, but... the smallest capacity iPad is 16GB, what size files are you going to be working with anyway?

Up to about 8 gb of media. So if you assume that at least half of it would be duplicated, then take the system files into account, then add some "wiggle room," I'd say 16 gb won't cut it for me. I considered the iPad ever since MS office came out for it, but the workflow isn't quite what I had in mind. Combined with the price tag of the 32 gig, it's just not worth it right now.

I'm sold on the iPad Air for its screen and weight, but Windows tablets are quite nice for the functionality I want. The only problem is that the current selection kinda sucks; I can't find the right combination of screen size, resolution, and architecture (do not want ARM/Windows RT). I definitely want a 10 inch; I'm reading lots of text books and scientific papers, so an iPad Mini or similarly sized tablet just won't cut it.

I guess it's the waiting game for me!

 

[bearxor]

First off, just to confirm, yes every apps files are sandboxed. That means if you have a document in Pages and a document in Word and a document in DocsToGo, they're all separate documents.

This is what most of us complain about when we say we want a "Document Center" in iOS. One central repository for all applications to access documents. I really think this will happen in iOS 8.

Secondly, have you tried iAnnotate PDF?
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iannotate-pdf/id363998953?mt=8

A bit pricey, but has dropbox support. So it can access the files from Dropbox and save them back. No duplication.

 

[Rakehellion]

hmm. That's a major shame. Kinda defeats the propose of cloud sharing. I appreciate you running the experiment for me - thanks!

If the files are cloud shared, they aren't copied.