In DSM 3.2, Synology released DSM mobile that comes with a user interface that’s optimized for mobile devices. Users can manage DiskStation using the built-in web browsers on smartphones or tablets. Precisely speaking, DSM mobile is optimized for Apple WebKit-based mobile browsers. This browser engine is widely adopted in mobile devices across iOS and Android. You can also find it in the latest OS from RIM blackberry.
Furthermore, DSM mobile is designed specifically for touch screen interface. The fitting size ranges from a 2.8」 smartphone to a 10」 tablet screen. As you access DSM on mobile device, DSM mobile will detect the screen size and optimize the display look automatically.
Today users of DiskStation could enjoy their media content and access files on the go using the versatile applications provided by Synology. DSM mobile pushes the extent of access mobility to the next level by providing management functions in your pocket!
Why does mobile access matter?
Users usually see mobile devices as extensions to their PCs or notebooks. When people are roaming on the road, mobile devices substitute laptops for performing simple tasks and save users from the hassle of finding a power socket.
Remember the announcement of iCloud service by Apple in WWDC 2011? Now Apple is putting its iOS devices at the same level as its Mac because today’s tablet and smartphone have grown to be more powerful with a state-of-art processor and advanced GPU. The only difference is how users use the devices (Touch or mouse-driven interface) and the level of mobility the devices provide. In the so-called 「Post-PC」 era, these new mobile devices no longer serve only as extensions of PC/notebooks. People seek to do the same things on tablets/smartphones as they could on their PC/notebooks!
That’s why Synology have been providing mobile apps to help users access their DiskStation !
DSM mobile interface
Imagine that you are an information service administrator in a company. Your boss calls you to instruct that the account of the just-resigned employee needs to be removed from the DiskStation, immediately. But you are on the road. Let’s assume that you have a smartphone and a laptop with you. I believe that you are more likely to reach for the smartphone and get the order done right away.. But honestly speaking, it’s really a pain to do this prior to DSM 3.2 because our DSM wasn’t optimized for the small screen of mobile devices. So as you are toiling away on the familiar DSM control panel page, you may ask yourself: I can use DS audio to stream music of unlimited storage on the go, share my photos with friends by DS photo+ and access my files from anywhere using DS file. Why is that hard to do a simple management task using my smartphone?
Again, Synology listens and responds, like what we have done to extend support for Mac Lion compatibility for x07-series DiskStation users. We designed a highly efficient, simple management web interface for smartphone and tablets. The beauty of this new mobile interface includes:
1. Simple, but not simpler. Although DSM contains tons of functions and lots of detailed settings, it would be overwhelming if we squeeze everything onto DSM mobile. We only implemented the key tasks that DiskStation administrators would be most likely to perform on a daily basis. Even more, to make the using experience more efficient and more satisfying, we created some new user interaction experience that hadn’t been available in original web DSM! The most vivid example is that you could turn on or off various services very quickly in DSM mobile by just wiping a slider using your finger.
2. Touch-friendly. DSM mobile is optimized for touch screens. There is no tiny links or small buttons. You would find it’s hard to distinguish if you are using a native app or a web app.
3. Scale elegantly. DSM mobile is a 「universal」 web app. In iOS world, a universal app submitted to App Store means it can run on iPhone or iPad using the same app binary. In this sense, DSM mobile is even more universal as it can be run on iPad/iPhone and Android devices, in either portrait or landscape orientation. It can even run on a RIM touch screen phone!
The Post PC Era ?
HP announced that it has decided to sell its PC business and is looking for potential buyers. This is a sign to the official start of the 「Post PC」 era. While we still shop for PC and notebook, I believe more and more people will opt for smartphones and tablets. I also expect that, one day, our users may say,
「I now do everything on my tablet and smartphone. Don’t ask me to get a PC to access my DiskStation.」
This looks great – excellent work. The big question is: when will you release v3.2 ?
Like the previous post says: When will it be released?
Will in work on Windows Mobile?
Hi Jan:
Current implementation is limited to mainly in browsers of iOS and Android, which share similar browser engines and have better performance.
Same as Leo, when ?
Any chance you’ll add the ability for us to remove blocked sites (it’s not in the current beta). I’ve had a case where I managed to lock out the PC I was on but I could still reach the NAS with my phone. In that case I had to give someone an admin account password to get to the site (something I was NOT happy about). This meant changing that password and renaming the account and I’d like to avoid that happening.
It would just allow us to remove the restriction in the event a machine we need becomes locked out.
I think you can try to disable autoblock by using DSM mobile for this situation.
disable ins’t the same thing and it should (IMHO, I haven’t tested this) still block IP’s that are in the ban list, but not add new ones.
And if you would give this blog an automated mobile template as well we would be extra happy! Hate the scrolling left to right and vice versa…
What about browsers that are not using WebKit? I currently own a (quite old, I know) Windows Mobile 6.1 Phone. Neither Internet Explorer nor the Opera Mobile are displaying the “new” mobile DSM. All I get to see is the old one with a link to my Photo Station and the File Station (which works very well, by the way, but I would like more if possible). Or is there a way to force this version using the URL just like with the desktop?
Thanks
When will the audiostation work on nokia Symbian 3? symbian Anna is released and very soon Symbian Belle.
Models N8, E7, E6, X7, C7, C6-01 and soon Nokia 500,600, 700, 701.
It works good with filestation and through webdab built in the Nokia symbian 3, but the audiostation is lacking the UI for mobile phones.
Hi Ztuka:
Audio Station requires ability to control decoding and playback of streaming music. Usually it’s difficult to implement this in mobile web browser and requires a native mobile app.
So build one then…I can play a song by logging in to https://xxxxxxx:5001 but cant que songs.
Still Nokia Symbian will be supported until the end of the year of 2016 and Nokia is selling about 100 millions phones a year.
Especially big they are in Asia.
I saw that you are considering an app for Webbos, hey that system isn´t as big as Symbian. And that system, webos is more a less completey dead today, and you know that or not?
Just can´t believe this.
Anyhow by using the webdav in the nokia the filemanager works just fine connecting to my nas DS409?
I am not willing to buy an apple phone that is twice as expensive than my E6, and actually can´t do more than mine. And for Android I am not willing to give out information whatever I do to Google. Are people really knowing wewhat the security issues are with Android.
Iknow for ure that they don´t have a clue. Gosh. I would be very happy for an application for Symbian 3-phones.
And I am not alone…
Dear Ztuka:
Currently we don’t have plan to support webos, especially HP has dropped the future development of this platform. Personally, I like and has owned a Nokia E-series phone before, which had a really decent keyborard.
The problem is that Symbian/Nokia’s developer programs has been unfriendly in my experience and that’s also one of the reasons they failed in attracting developers to their platform and eventually Nokia discontinues Symbian as smartphone platform.
Nokia has tried to switch Qt as the new smartphone but they also gave up and is planning to switch to Windows 7 phone platform.
It’s a hard decision to develop mobile apps on nokia phones without Nokia’s commitment for themselves.
Still, until december 2016 Symbian 3 is running with support from Nokia.
That is 5 years from now, and I am wunder, does anyone know what will be the leading operating system in even 3 years?
I think it is all about money….seems also that you personally I have an issue with Nokia, is it so?
Symbian is still developed and will be as you would know if you just wanted to know that.
–From gsmarena–
“”Still, the number of things left that need changing is much longer than the list of things that have changed. On the other hand, after Nokia announced they’ll be focusing on Windows Phone 7, we were worried about Symbian’s future.
It turns out those worries were unfounded – with Anna out now and Belle just around the corner, Symbian seems more alive now than it was a year ago.”"
http://blog.gsmarena.com/we-update-to-symbian-anna-heres-whats-changed-review/
Nokia is still a player with WP7 and Symbian 3 and other OS. Period.
Anyhow, if an app is needed just for the streaming issues, just implement other players (XBMC, VLC Plyer etc etc) inside synology as packages for easy installment. Why not?
Then the problem further on with mobile apps will not be an issue when people want to use their favorite devices just to stream their multimedia.
PS I never use Audiostation when streaming music on the road to my laptop when I am connecting over 3G, so what do I think about Audiostation then….looking at the forum I see a lot of people that really wants another implement of media player. Just please reconsider.
It could actually be an Synology advantage just not be in the short sighted hysterical flock of Google and Apple journalists that even Göbbel would be proud of..
yes I am angry. I don´t buy the arguments.
It would be useful for my Nokia N8. Though I am not totally unsympathic to the need to keep the number of supported platforms low.
I am a US expat living in China. I bought a DS211J in Dec. 2010 how can I get a copy of DSM3.2? It doesn’t look like you sell it in China.
I upgraded my iMac to Lion and now my NAS won’t work unless I buy the new OS. Not to thrilled about buying a new OS for a device that is only 8 months old, but it could be worse.
Thanks for the help
Hi Chris:
You could upgrade to the latest DSM 3.2 release in “Control Panel/DSM Update”, where DSM would check the latest DSM and download from Synology directly.
Hi Allen,
Unfortunately I have already loaded Lion and I can’t seem to get the disk station to launch so how would I get the control panel to open up? Any suggestions?
Thanks
Hi Chris:
I mean the “Control Panel” in DSM that you will see after login-ing to DiskStation user interface using “admin”
Allen, I can’t find a way to login to the disk station period. Lion will not recognize allow me to access it. So how do I bring up the control panel in old OS so that I can download the new OS? I am willing to try anything, well maybe not anything.
Hi Chris:
Please allow us to support you in a more efficient way. You could submit the support ticket here
Regards
In the mobile client I cannot access the Download Station, its is really missing!
Hi Allen,
I am indeed finding the DSM mobile interface much more pleasant to use from my iPhone than can be the traditional GUI. Thank you for that.
However, some features are only accessible from the non-mobile interface (I was looking for the SMART table today).
Is there a list of what is available in mobile and what is not ?
Any plan to extend the mobile features coverage ?
Thanks,
– Seb, France
Hi Seb,
Thank you for feedback and I’d forward it to our developers.
Hi Seb,
We are planning the features for the future, and your voice are heard. =)
Guys any updates on whether WP7 with Mango will be supported? The deal with Nokia means there are going to be many more folks asking for this…
We are investigating the possibility of developing apps for Windows Phone 7.5 Mango.
Hi Allen,
When is the support for WP 7.5 is coming or will QNAP be first….
Synology is great !, and i appreciate the feedback from the company. through e-mail, forum, they’re everywhere ! great job guys !
Now when will my ds1511+ be able to toast some slices of bread? dsm3.4?
thanks !
I’m a newby to DSM and have been surprised about the huge functionality of a NAS system, which isn’t less than a home server, BUT:
Where are the apps for my windows phone 7 ?!!
The future that you’ve described should also include this devices and the windows 8 tablets, which will come this year …
I agree.. Where’s the Windows Phone app ?? There’s a third party app out there but it doesn’t work.. I have a iPhone and just upgraded to the Windows phone running Mango and am missing the functionality of DSM Mobile.. especially to access the playlists on the audio server..
As Stefen said, you should look at keeping Windows8 in mind – it’s coming soon !
I would like to see support of my Nokia N9 device. It has a very cacable WebKit Browser, and the normal DSM Interface does work on it! I suppose that the DSM Mobile is only made available to certain HTTP User Agents. Please add the Nokia N9 here. I’m also willing to test the mobile HTML DSM Interface for you. Just contact me by email.
Looking for the DSM Mobile app on my ipad 2 and cant find it in the app store. Is it still available?
Hi Mike:
DSM mobile is not an app installed from appstore. It’s web application that you can connect to it by directly accessing it via http://DS_IP:5000 in the iPad Safari browser.
You should get it into a app.
I like to have apps
I would love to hear any new you have about releasing a client for WP7. Loving my disk station and really keen to use it fully with my Lumia 800.
its 2-2-2012 now, WP7 is gaining marketshare rapidly and is a mobile OS to stay among the other big players….can you guys give an indication when you will start making apps available for the platform >?? Really wish I had photostation and audiostation available….pleaseeeee develop it….
I m using android tablet and I would much prefer the standard full blown version of the dsm instead of the mobile. How can access it or change the default? Thanks
Hi Kkb:
You can find a menu item in the drop-down menu of right corner of the left panel to switch to the “Desktop Edition”
+1 for Windows Phone 7.8/8 app. I made the switch to windows phone a month ago from iPhone4, and I have to say im very impressed, it is better for me for email/calendar its very fast and would love remote access to my files easily.