Microsoft's beta My Phone service for Windows Mobile now free to all
By Thomas Ricker 
posted May 19th 2009 4:18AM
posted May 19th 2009 4:18AM
[Via SlashPhone]
posted May 19th 2009 4:18AM
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eh. Already sync my contacts with GoogleSync.
But not your calander (ISTR)
GSync does calendar too. Not any of the other stuff though.
is that bill gate's number over there????
I wonder if there's a plan to support none WinMob phones in the future? I suspect MSFT would love to undercut MobileMe on the iPhone - that would be quite amusing actually.
The main value to me of MyPhone is twofold. The first is that PIM information is synchronised between devices (I have two phones) including SMSes, and the SMSes are searchable on line. The second is that whenever I install a new ROM on the phone (love xda-devs) it is simply a question of syncing with MyPhone to get all the PIM data back on the phone, and that includes images and text messages.
The only criticism I have is that MS has too many overlapping services, including Live Mesh Mobile and Windows Live Mobile.
couldn't agree more with the overlapping thing. It's driving me crazy! Just make up your mind, stick to one thing, and develop something completely! Otherwise I think it's a really great idea.
As far as I can tell Mesh Mobile, Live Mobile, and MyPhone all serve different purposes.
- Live Mesh Mobile is for syncronizing files between your phones, Windows PC's, and Mac PC's.
- Live Mobile is to access your Hotmail email and contacts and to chat on MSN Messenger.
- Live Search is like Google Maps, but with ability to find local info like movie times, gas prices, or restaurants easily. It also works as a GPS navigation device.
- (Live?) MyPhone is specificly for backing up your phone contacts, calendar, SMS messeages, etc and your 'My Documents' files like video's and pictures. MyPhone is particular usefull when you are switching phones or want to do a factory reset (or put a new cooked rom on) and then put all your info back in.
I use MyPhone to back up my SMS and documents on the internal memory of my phone, Exchange sync takes care of my contacts/cal/tasks, and I have memory card for all my pics, music, etc that doesn't really need backing up but if it did I would use Mesh for that. When I do a ROM change, I just take my take my mem card out, flash, put mem card back in, resync with Exchange and MyPhone, and I'm all set without loosing any of my info.
I just wish they would quit using the name Live in front of everything.
Microsoft could definitely do with some consolidation.
Agreed. No question that this should have been built on the Mesh platform.
Why does Microsoft do a half baked solution? So I am setting up this service and they state in order to sync contacts, calendar and tasks I must end the phone’s partnership with Exchange or disable Active Sync. Really? They couldn’t make it so it can do both? After all they do call it a sync and control the technology. Sigh…
polishing turds
Nice that one!!
Microsoft it truly the best. If any web developer is here, he/she can download the free VSTS 08 from here http://bit.ly/OxdIK
Again something thats for free and something thats amazing..
I've been using it for a few months now and it's an unreliable pile of crap. It constantly duplicates my SMS messages (so I'll have like 1000 of the same message backed up on the server) and shows that I have 3 different Windows Mobile phones hooked up... wtf.
Also the website interface is slow and clunky. Overall its crap.
Why on earth they haven't done something with Live Mesh is beyond me.
I just downloaded it and thought: "Cool, now I can keep the contacts/calender in my Outlook and Phone in sync with cable/bluetooth syncing via ActiveSync (which I rarely do out of laziness). This is great for us schlubs who don't want or care about having an Exchange Server".
Turns out, it's only a half-baked solution. It is only for syncing the phone to a cloud service. There is no desktop component for Outlook, and no plans for one.
I'm so sick of WinMo.
so you're mad that a service does what it was designed and made to do and not what you want it to do ...
i don't even have a word for this
I don't get it. Couldnt they have sent out an upgrade to Windows Live for Windows Mobile to enable this functionality? I've been using Windows Live for WM since it was released, and it does an excellent job of syncing my contacts and e-mails. I see that this saves text messages and calendar events, but woulnd't that have been a well-served upgrade for Windows Mobile?
Still, it looks/sounds like a cool app. I probably won't use it. Windows Live is good enough for me at this point.
I have been using this for a few weeks now. It Just works. http://loco4local.com/ Live Search for mobile incredible program from Microsoft for finding places and directions on the go free. http://www.skyfire.com/ skyfire windows mobile web browser see flash on your web page just works.
While this might be nice, it is too late since I am now syncing my WM contacts using FunAmbol (a syncML compatible application) to any third-party services I sign up for. It sures beat this by freeing me from being tied to MS's service.
If anything, Microsoft is at least consistent with its M.O of being the biggest "me too" company on the planet. Copy, pilfer, emulate and follow. Using their number one template for ideas. Apple.
Why does everything in Engadget have to be compared with Apple? It's really annoying...
With the exception of the calendar, the service works well for me.
My only complaints:
1) You can't upload more than one file into your pictures, videos, or documents at a time
2) It's very hard to do common actions with multiple files that are already on the cloud. For example, I want to be able to select 10 of my contacts and assign them to a single company. Right now, I have to click each one, choose edit, enter the information, hit save, then move on to the next contact.
3) The calendar did not import my recurring appointments.
4) The interface is as basic as 1995's hotmail.
In for later.
What I've never understood is why so many people willingly offer up their personal information and data to corporations. Sure, it's ostensibly for "your convenience". But don't complain when you've been sorted, dissected, data mined and then get commercially abused by said corporation later. And this isn't an anti-Microsoft screed. I mean all corporations that you casually give your personal data.
Tell me, how many of you actually read the fine print for these services before you sign up for them and install the software?
See my comment on the first page.
A lot!
Argh! Some of it (online storage) is blocked by Websense!
I work with Apple computers all day long and the typical apple user is as dumb as a jar of mustard. Lazy is another attribute. The product is marketed as a complete user experience. Which for the most part is true. Some times it caters to the lowest common denominator of our species. So simple is as simple does. And it is unbelievably brutal to listen to them, piss,moan about anything not branded "Mapple". It's just a tool to use and though i agree some of the products are refined and user friendly, its not always the best device out on the market. I.E Ipod or Iphone, nice looking, nice features overall horrible devices. And yes i am aware they sell well. So does Budwiser & Miller light and the quality is pretty unbearable with that, but the masses sheepeshly trudge along and consume those products like no other.
Signed everyone tired of the "PC vs. Mac" sissy fight
So, Jubei, what does My Phone even do? If it's a copy of something Apple is doing, you should know. Once you educate yourself, tell me what Apple has that is even remotely the same.
@Mr Clickerson, who used to be Zues God, but no more how sad. :-(
The question is for you. MyPhone/LiveMesh adds unnecessary complexity. Like a child explaining: "It's the same thing but its not".
Anyway.
Please learn to reply properly. Please learn to reply directly to the poster if possible. Because you were unable to do so, you again FAIL! AHAHA
FUNAMBOL!
For those of you who are concerned that Microsoft My Phone is only available for Windows Mobile, a company called FusionOne offers similar mobile content portability services that will protect all your ringtones, games, videos, contacts, photos, and other content on any platform, including Symbian, RIM, BREW, Android, and Windows Mobile. FusionOne has been offering mobile backup services since 2004 and was recently granted a patent for its mobile backup and sync technology.