TOPIC: Questions re HomeInspector Pro Android cell phone app

I am considering going to the mobile Android app.  My plan is to use the Home inspector Pro voice to text on my Samsung Galaxy Smartphone for narratives, take photos with the phone and send everything instantly to the software app via Cloud.  All of this, I am told by HIP that I can do.

I pay for a block of minutes per month on my cell plan. The plan also includes 5 gb of data per month. My question is - Does anyone know how those minutes and data will be affected by using the software the way I plan?

Thanks,
JohnB 

Yes, all your voice recognition goes to Google's servers as will receiving templates and uploading reports. Now, if you did 2 inspections a day, 7 days of the week you MIGHT reach 1 gb of data, so I wouldn't worry about that. One thing to be aware of though is that most inspectors can't use voice to text on site because there are people around during the inspection. You can't be verbalizing problems with the seller or either agent around without risking a fist fight. For some inspectors this isn't a problem as they're alone for many inspections. Also, remember there's no optical zoom on Android devices so you do have to make up for that and be more careful taking shots.

Hi Dominic,
I'm a newbie here, saw the sale your having. Just looking around and wondering if I should go with a CLT2go, iPad, Samsung Galaxy, or what.... for use with HIP mobile? I have an iPhone2 now. Is this something I can use or should try to use? Also, if I purchase HIP Pro for my computer, how many downloads do I get? Can I put a copy on my home computer and laptop? Also, is there another purchase required for the HIP Mobile if I purchase Pro?
Thanks,
Kris

Hi Kris,

The full version is good for ALL Windows & Mac machines. So you can have it on your Windows CTL2Go or HP Slate 2 and a Mac desktop if you wanted. The mobile license is good on all Android and iPhone/iPad (still be worked on). Mobile is a separate purchase.

I recommend the HP Slate 2 or CTL2Go NL3, both of which run Windows over an Android tablet or iPad due to the lack of handwriting recognition. The Android tablets are working on it but they're still way behind Windows and iPad doesn't have handwriting at all. If you want phone size then an Android phone or soon the iPhone will work great. Either way you'll need to sync to a full Windows or Mac (CTL2Go or HP Slate are full versions) to generate the report. So you can get the HP Slate 2 and save the $199 by not purchasing HIP Mobile and have a more efficient device.

If you have any other questions, just let us know!

Thanks Dominic,
In looking at the HP Slate 2 and the CTL2go NL3, I don't see where those have built in cameras. I like the idea of being able to photo and have them right there to put on the report instead of having to pick through them and upload them and then put them in the right spot on the report. I find this is a big time consumer. I think the HP only has a front camera/webcam. Doesn't sound like I can use it to take inspection photos. I'm looking to speed things up and thought a tablet w/a camera would work best. What are your thoughts on that?
Thanks!

They do but not enough quality that you'd want to use them. No tablet/phone has an optical zoom making them extremely difficult to use for all pictures on site. Thanks about how often do you currently use zoom. Because of this most guys are still using a normal camera (though there are a few rebels that use the built in Android cameras).

Towards the end of this year a few phones with an optical zoom are coming out.