Ondrej Holzman The iPad is great for consuming content. However, it is definitely not the case that content cannot be created on it, or at least edited. The proof is PDF Expert 5, the best manager and viewer of PDF files for iPad, which also offers wide editing options.
Behind the PDF Expert 5 application is the renowned developer studio Readdle, which we can rely on for the excellent design and functionality of the applications. Calendars 5 is one of the most popular alternatives to the system calendar in iOS 7, you can't turn your iPad or iPhone into a scanner better than Scanner Pro, and Documents is a very elegant browser for all types of files and documents, which is also available for free.
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It is with Documents that PDF Expert 5 has a lot in common. However, it is a paid application that focuses mainly on PDF files and offers more advanced features when working with them. However, PDF Expert 5 can also open other documents. The fifth version is the successor of the original PDF Expert, which remains in the App Store in the iPhone version. Only the new PDF Expert 5 is available on the iPad, but existing users of older versions will feel right at home.
Modern environment, easy organization
However, PDF Expert 5 brings the whole experience of reading PDF documents in a much more modern guise, which fits perfectly with the philosophy of iOS 7. The greatest emphasis is placed on the content itself, which means that most of the buttons and controls are laid out in such a way that when you need them displayed, does not interfere with reading.
A big strength of PDF Expert 5 is its file manager. The application can easily become your central file manager. A large number of services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, SkyDrive, Box, SugarSync, WebDAV or Windows SMB can be connected to PDF Expert 5. You can view and download files of all kinds from all these services, PDF Expert 5 can deal with text, presentation, audio, video and archive. Files can of course also be accessed via cable or Wi-Fi.
File organization is simple and intuitive. Documents can be moved either by traditional dragging to the destination or by pressing the button Edit in the upper right corner, you switch to editing mode, and then after clicking on files or folders, several options for what to do with the object will appear in the left panel. You can rename, move, delete, merge multiple PDFs into one, wrap, but also open in other applications, upload to connected services or send by email. For easier orientation, you can also mark documents with different colors or add a star.
Wide editing options
However, document management is not the main thing that PDF Expert 5 offers, although if you work with a large amount of data, you will certainly welcome the easy organization. When viewing a PDF, you can rely on traditional functions such as searching in the document, creating bookmarks, underlining, crossing out or highlighting.
In the top panel, you can access quick display options. You can quickly adjust the brightness as needed and choose from three modes – night/black, sepia and day/white. Switching between horizontal and vertical scrolling is also handy. PDF Expert 5 also offers the option to have the text read, Zuzana's Czech voice also works.
Compared to the previous version, the toolbar has been changed, which can be called up from the top bar and by dragging your finger from the edge of the display. From which side, it depends on where you place the panel (if you place it up, you can't bring it up by dragging your finger). On the sides, it is a very finely crafted element that does not interfere too much while working, but offers all the tools you may need. It's just a shame that you can't recall this panel in the same way as summoning it, i.e. with a gesture. You have to either tap on the miniature cross (although I personally don't have a problem with its size), or call up the top bar and turn it off there.
In the panel you will find pens and pencils for drawing, tools for highlighting, crossing out or underlining text, adding notes, stamps and signatures. However, these are quite common PDF editing tools. However, what PDF Expert 5 has that no one else offers is a brand new Review Mode that completely changes the way you correct and edit PDFs.
Review Mode works practically the same as correcting documents in MS Word. In PDF Expert 5, you select the part of the text you want to edit, delete it and rewrite it. In preview (Preview) then you will see the already rewritten text, in the editing overview (Markups) both the crossed-out original text and the new version will be displayed. The key thing about Review Mode is that all changes are saved as annotations in the resulting PDF, so the document itself is not affected by them. However, the editing process itself is much more efficient through Review Mode.
The best app on the market
PDF Expert is a comprehensive and completely unique on iPad document manager and viewer of all kinds, especially PDF. It can even compete with alternative applications for computers, even the famous Adobe Reader does not offer Review Mode, which PDF Expert 5 really scores.
Readdle is paying decently for their next excellent application, because even though PDF Expert 5 is a continuation of an already existing application, it appears in the App Store as a novelty on its own. However, if you work with PDF in any way, nine euros will certainly not be regretted. On the contrary, PDF Expert 5 is practically a necessity if you want to enjoy working on the iPad.
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How about some comparisons with the competition? I've been using GoodReader for pdf for years, it can do almost everything, from connecting clouds to proofreading and annotations... And it's certainly not the only one...
There are probably more alternatives, I personally know about GoodReader, which is comparable to PDF Expert in some respects. However, Readdle has now scored Review Modem, but not everyone needs this feature, that's for sure.
On the topic interestingly, for example: http://macademise.wordpress.com/2013/12/12/pdf-annotation-on-ipad-why-goodreader-has-replaced-iannotate-and-pdf-expert/
PDF annotation on iPad: why GoodReader has replaced iAnnotate and PDF Expert
Thanks for the tip. I will look at it.
Readdle pissed off their subscribers a lot when they discounted their PDF Expert app before the end of the year and replaced it with PDF Expert 5 a few days later, while the old version completely disappeared. It was unexpected and more or less a scam - whoever bought it and for some reason needed to download it again in a few days simply wiped his nose. That's why I also refused to upgrade to version 5 - it doesn't offer me any added value compared to the previous version.
Functionally, it is a nice application and the Documents application, which looks similar and is free, is one of the best in the App Store, but for example the connection with Sugar Sync does not work for them and I also had problems with the iCloud folder. As for a high-quality scanner, I would prefer a different option there - JotNot always gave better results (compared to a whole range of similar applications). Calendars 5 didn't convince me either. At least the support works and is trying (however, they haven't solved the SugarSync access yet).
Personally, I prefer PDF Master for editing PDFs.