Just hours after Microsoft Corp. accidently launched, then yanked, a Web site promoting its new "My Phone" backup and sync service, the company restored the site and posted more information about the free service.
Late Friday, Microsoft restored the My Phone site, which said the service is "Coming soon." In a separate announcement posted to several Web sites, the company said that more information about the invite-only beta would be given out at the GSMA World Mobile Congress, which opens Feb. 16 in Barcelona, Spain.
[ Get the analysis and insights that only Randall C. Kennedy can provide on PC tech in InfoWorld's Enterprise Desktop blog. And download our free Windows performance-monitoring tool. ]
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is slated to give a keynote speech at the trade show on Feb. 17.
Earlier, Endgadget Mobile reported that the My Phone site was live at the getskybox.com domain. Later, Microsoft acknowledged the screw-up. "Today, Microsoft's My Phone Web site went live prior to its scheduled debut," the company said, several sites reported. Currently, getskybox.com -- a reference to the "SkyBox" code name of the service -- shunted users to the My Phone site.
According to the information now posted to the site, users of My Phone will be able to back up contacts, calendar appointments, text messages, photos, and other information online; share those photos with others; update the information from a computer using a Web-based interface; and use the stored data to restore a phone transfer it to a new device.
Microsoft said it would give each user 200MB of storage space, but warned that only phones powered by Windows Mobile 6 or later would be compatible with the service. In fact, it hedged: "Most phones that run the Windows Mobile 6 operating system are compatible with My Phone service," said the service's site.
Although not strictly billed as a phone-to-PC sync service, My Phone will synchronize Windows Live contacts -- assuming Windows Live has been installed on the phone -- with those on the Windows Live Web site. However, My Phone will not sync contacts, e-mail messages, or to-do tasks with an Exchange mail server. Phone data will be backed up to the remote servers automatically once per day, said Microsoft, although users can manually trigger a backup at any time.
My Phone is a potential competitor to Apple Inc.'s MobileMe, which debuted last July but got off to a very rocky start. MobileMe, however, costs $99 annually, while My Phone will be free, said Microsoft.
MobileMe offers considerably more storage space -- 20GB -- and synchronizes e-mail, contact, and tasks between not only Apple's iPhone and a PC or Mac, but also between multiple computers.
Computerworld is an InfoWorld affiliate.
Get the independent advice and expertise you need to support a virtual workforce.
The increase in Linux popularity has increased the frequency and sophistication of malware attacks. Read this 2 page white paper now to learn how you can protect your Linux environment with real-time protection that is certified by all major Linux vendors.
Download now »
Ensuring acceptable application delivery will become even more difficult over the next few years. As a result, IT organizations need to ensure that the approach that they take to resolving the current application delivery challenges can scale to support the emerging challenges. This handbook elaborates on the key tasks associated with planning, optimization, management and control and provides decision criteria to help IT organizations choose appropriate solutions.
Download now »
A common misconception is that mid-range storage requirements are dramatically different than that of a larger enterprise. Mid-range storage users may require less capacity, but they have similar functionality and management requirements. This ESG paper examines mid-range storage needs and reviews a new solution that adjusts size while retaining value, performance and functionality.
Download now »
Sign up to receive Platforms Resource Alerts
3 Recommendations
