Don't Wait for My Phone: Google Sync, Others Here Now

10.02.2009
's upcoming sync service could be a boon for businesses that use and don't host their own exchange servers. The upcoming product will sync address books, calendars, and other data over-the-air with PCs, not requiring a direct connection between the two.

Microsoft hasn't announced full details about the My Phone launch and availability, but you don't have to wait for these features. Here are four over-the-air services that you can use right now to sync typical phone data, documents, photos, and more. You might not even need a smartphone.

Google has stolen some of the My Phone buzz with new and clients for its free, beta service. S40, S60, BlackBerry, and Sync-ML phone support already launched, making Google Sync available to a wider audience than My Sync. Most of these devices sync your contacts and calendars with your Google account, although some only sync contacts. While short on the media-file frills of some of these other alternatives, the sync service reaches across Google group calendars, helping keep track of shared personal and business obligations. Other services are aimed at one calendar per user; I'd pick Google Sync for this business-critical feature.

Dashwire currently supports Windows Mobile 5 and 6 phones, with S60, Android, and BlackBerry coming. The sync service transfers most of your important data: contacts, text messages, photos, videos, and more. Compared to what we know of My Phone, Dashwire scores a few hits and a miss; it smartly integrates with social networking sites and presents your voicemail in a web browser, but it doesn't sync calendars. At least you can check out the cost-free service as long as you want before deciding if it makes sense for regular use.