Interview: Augusto Ferrarini creator of Teradesk
by Android Tapp
Dec 2, 2008 7:53 AM –
Some background…
Teradesk is a client and server platform that integrates computers, mobile devices and a virtual storage disk. Android devices are able to connect to computers, get files, share files using bluetooth and MMS or store them into a virtual disk, keeping user data always sync and available.
AndroidTapp: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hello, my name is Augusto Ferrarini, I’m founder of Ferrarini Tecnologia, a startup company located in Brazil. I started to develop a version of Teradesk for the Android platform just after it was announced by Google. Later this year Teradesk was announced as one of the winner apps on Android Developer Challenge.
AndroidTapp: Why did you create Teradesk?
Teradesk is a online file manager and virtual storage tool. It is intended to allow users store files in the Cloud and access personal files stored on remote computers. It takes advantage of web, desktop and mobile platforms to create a integrated online filesystem environment. Teradesk is a client/server software middleware that enables virtual data access and remoting access capabilities on Android devices, Web browsers and normal PCs running Linux, Windows or Mac.
People tend to use e-mail as a file transfer solution to send files to friends, co-workers and clients. E-mail is not suitable to do that, it is not practical or even secure. At the same time, personal storage solutions like pen drives or writable optical disks are even less practical and lot more insecure and fragile, lacking integration and collaboration features since they are not online connected devices. So, Teradesk was create to allow users access their files anywhere in a secure fashion and managed, with collaboration support, keeping their files always safe, in the Cloud.
AndroidTapp: What technology did you use in creating your App and why?
Basically, Teradesk run its own server application in the backend connected to a JEE application server infrastructure. Our Android app version implements Teradesk Java Client API together with some of Android internal and external APIs like SMS, Networking Management and bluetooth. We also work with some open standards and data representation formats like Json, REST and OpenID.
AndroidTapp: Can you tell us about future feature enhancements with Teradesk?
We’ve planned some great new features after first release. Unfortunately, some features depends on Android SDK APIs that are yet to come, for example, we are waiting for the bluetooth API on device to enable some amazing features based on that. Other feature enhancements include satisfy corporate users necessities regarding advanced collaboration features and data workflow tools.
AndroidTapp: What did you really like about creating Apps on the Android platform?
Android exposes a huge amount of features and possibilities to application developers through its API. It’s amazing the power Android gives to developers in terms of manipulating hardware and software stuff. Low level networking and connectivity management is one of the things that impresses me the most. Development tools like emulation, supporting tools and instrumentation capabilities are also great. They help a lot during coding and testing development circles of the app.
AndroidTapp: What are some things you would like to see improved with Android?
In my opinion some of the Android native applications and widgets screens are not very compelling, like contact management screen for example. We saw radical changes and improvements on visual components since Android launching one year ago. They become much better since first release but still needs some more work. All the rest is just great!
AndroidTapp: Must-have Android Apps?
Teradesk, in my opinion, is a Must-have tool for everyone 
I didn’t have enough time to test some of the available apps on Market, but I’ve tried a couple of barcode scanning and price comparison apps. They are just fine.
AndroidTapp: What advice would you give to another aspiring mobile application developer?
Android comes with a lot of cool features (GPS, SMS,Google Maps). Just choose some of them and enjoy coding great apps.
AndroidTapp: Can you tell us what future Android Apps you have brewing?
We are planning some new apps in the line of productivity tools and corporate tools. Also, we are talking to some companies that we have some kind of synergy so we can integrate Teradesk with other great existing applications.
Thanks Augusto! We look for to the Apps launch!