WebEx Links iPhone To Outlook, Remote PCs

The Apple iPhone can now access files and e-mail on remote PCs, and soon, on remote Macs.

On Wednesday, online collaboration company WebEx plans to introduce an updated version of its WebEx PCNow 3.0 remote access software that will enable iPhone users to check their Microsoft Outlook e-mail and view the files stored on their remote Windows computers.

Despite the addition of iPhone compatibility, a company spokesperson said the version number would remain unchanged at 3.0.

"This latest version of WebEx PCNow means users have the ability to effectively access their desktop from anywhere, at any time, on their iPhone," said Jack Chawla, WebEx's senior director of product management, in a statement. "We're delighted to be able to utilize the innovations in iPhone to enable seamless access to desktop files and tools 24/7."

PCNow enables PC-to-PC remote access and phone-to-PC remote access. Users of the software can search their desktop files, Outlook contacts, calendar entries, e-mail messages, and other types of documents through a Web browser.

WebEx's approach differs somewhat from TransMedia's Glide service, which lets users access desktop files on the iPhone via synchronized copies stored on TransMedia's servers.

PCNow can easily share files found though remote searches. It also lets users use SkypeOut on the remote PC to make VoIP calls, even if the local device used for remote access doesn't support the Skype mobile client.

The software supports a range of interactions with Microsoft Outlook. Users can read, reply, forward, or delete e-mail messages and any changes will be reflected on the remote computer running Outlook.

A free 30-day trial version of the software is available. The software costs $13 per month for one computer, $15 per month for two and up. WebEX said that it expects to release a Mac OS X version of PCNow later this year.