SkyBox to sync mobiles in the cloud

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 20 Jan 2009 at 08:04

Microsoft will reportedly launch a new service that allows mobile phone owners to synchronise their data over the internet at next month's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Dubbed SkyBox, the service will allow users to backup and synchronise their contacts, email, text messages, calendar and pictures online.

SkyBox will reportedly work on both Windows Mobile and non-Microsoft platforms, allowing users to easily migrate to a Windows Mobile device if they choose.

Microsoft will simultaneously release a business version of SkyBox, called SkyLive, that will include extra features, such as allowing companies to set up their phones with Microsoft's Exchange hosting using their own domain names.

The new services will presumably work alongside or as part of Windows Live Mesh, which already allows user to synchronise files and documents between PCs and mobile devices.

App Store rival

Microsoft will also use the Barcelona showcase to unveil its long-awaited rival to Apple's App Store. Called SkyMarket, the service will allow Windows Mobile owners to download thousands of applications for the mobile OS.

It's not clear whether Microsoft will attempt to vet the applications that appear on SkyMarket as Apple does, or take the anything-goes approach of Google's Android Marketplace.

Microsoft is widely expected to launch version 6.5 of Windows Mobile in Barcelona, which will sport a new "honeycomb" user interface if leaked screenshots are genuine.