Apple's MobileMe is supposed to keep current copies of your files, calendars, and contacts in a "cloud," accessible from any of your Macs or iPhones. But in practice, it doesn't always work so well. That's why we still need an app like Sharpcast's free and the service that goes with it. SugarSync has both Mac and iPhone components: drop a file on the Mac app to upload it to Sharpcast's servers, and a pointer to it will then show up on your phone. You can view the file or (without waiting for it to download to your phone) e-mail it to others. SugarSync works with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files as well as photos, and it's a great way to share documents with others when you're on the road.

WhitePages Mobile

You're on the road and you need to find a phone number. Dialing directory assistance seems so 20th century (not to mention wasteful). Instead, you can look up any of 180 million U.S. phone numbers using WhitePages.com's free . It also lets you populate your call log with real names.

Bill Wiecking regularly speaks on mobility and wireless topics; he will be appearing at Macworld Expo in January 2009. He lives in Hawaii.