Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  Directory

Keywords: Match:
Windows Mobile gains cloud sync
Jul. 24, 2008

Microsoft has launched a lightweight website aimed at availing Windows Mobile device users of its fledgling "Live Mesh" service. The service aims to let users share and synchronize files between PCs running heterogeneous OSes, and even control them remotely.

Eventually, Microsoft plans to release Windows Mobile client software for Live Mesh. That software will let smartphones and other mobile devices benefit from the service's automatic data synchronization and remote control features. For now, though, Windows Mobile users can at least upload and download files via a newly provided mobile version of the Live Mesh website.


Browser-based access for Windows Mobile users shows Live Desktop folders (left) and recent activity (right)
(Click either to enlarge)


Pointing Internet Explorer at m.mesh.com and logging into the Live Mesh service provides a list of folders and files stored on a user's Live Desktop (above left). From there, files can be uploaded or downloaded at will. Additionally, an "Add Picture" link automatically creates a Mobile Pictures folder on the Live Desktop, if one is not already present, then uploads the selected snapshot.

The browser-based access for Windows Mobile also provides a "news" feature (above right), alerting the user to recent Live Desktop file operations. This is useful in cases where multiple users have been granted access to a Live Desktop, or perhaps simply as a means of jogging one's memory.

Background

Announced in April and updated in June, Live Mesh has been described as a "software-plus-service platform." Intended to integrate desktop and mobile operating systems -- including Windows Mobile, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Macintosh OS X -- it provides synchronization and remote access services similar to those offered by products like LogMeIn, GoToMyPC, and SugarSync.


Microsoft's Live Mesh website
(Click to enlarge)

Live Mesh users log into Microsoft's Mesh.com website, where a personalized home page (above) provides them with 5GB of "cloud" storage, termed the Live Desktop. Data can be uploaded to and downloaded from the Live Desktop with any Web browser.

In addition, Microsoft provides specialized client software -- currently available for Windows XP and Vista, and promised for both Windows Mobile and Macintosh OS X -- that adds one or more devices to a user's personal "mesh." Once client software has been installed, designated folders and files on any device are synchronized automatically to the Live Desktop; from there, they're pushed to any other devices in the mesh.


Live Mesh permits accessing devices (left) and sharing files (right) via special Windows client software
(Click on either to enlarge)

An application provided with the client software for Live Mesh (the Windows version is shown, above left) pops up to provide easy access from any device in the mesh. It is also possible to share files with friends, family, or colleagues, by allowing them access to one's Live Desktop. In that case, the Live Search client can not only track contacts' online status, but also provides an indication of who has added or made changes to shared files (above right).

Further information

While Microsoft has promised to release Live Search clients for Windows Mobile and Macintosh OS X "later this year," a specific timetable has not been provided. An OS X Live Search client was released briefly earlier this week, and obtained by WindowsForDevices.com and other testers. While the application apparently worked effectively, it ceased to function after several days, and a replacement has not been made available. For a mini-review of the OS X Live Search client, see the jkOnTheRun website, here.

For more information on Live Mesh, see our previous coverage, here and here, and on our sister site eWeek.com, here. To access the Microsoft Live Mesh blog, go here.

To join Live Mesh -- still termed a "technology preview" but now apparently open to anyone with a Microsoft Live ID -- see the Microsoft website, here.



Related Stories:


(Click here for further information)


Windows XP for Embedded Applications
This white paper describes the benefits of using Windows XP when developing embedded applications.

A Manager's Guide to Selecting a Mobile Device Operating System
This white paper offers a comparative review of Microsoft Windows CE and Windows Mobile.

Visual Basic 6.0 to .NET Migration
This paper focuses on the methodology and techniques which Infosys (Microsoft Technology Center) has developed for migrating VB 6.0 Applications to .NET. Our approach ensures a smooth, cost effective, and efficient migration.

Mobile Device Security: Securing the Handheld, Securing the Enterprise
This whitepaper identifies security threats to corporate data on mobile devices and details how mobile devices can become a "backdoor" to the enterprise.

Mobile Device Security: The Eight Areas of Risk
It's common knowledge that adding mobile devices to your network increases security risks. There are multiple facets to mobile security, all of which should be paid close attention to. This E-Guide presents a more in depth look into the eight key areas of securing wireless devices.

Quality Assurance and .NET
This paper discusses best practices for functional, regression and load testing of .NET applications.

SCADA Security in Integrated Networks
As businesses leverage their SCADA systems by integrating them into the business networks, they must also assure the security of the SCADA system.

The Advantages of Small Form Factor HMI
HMIs have mutated and changed with new requirements, and they have become more flexible and capable. And while they've been doing that, they've become smaller and more useful.

9 Critical Requirements for Web Application Security
Learn why your Web applications expose dangerous security breaches and what’s required to effectively protect your Web applications and the sensitive information behind them.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Updated! The latest Windows-powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets

HOT TOPICS
Microsoft targets PNDs with new embedded OS
Microsoft tips .NET MF 3.0 highlights
Microsoft previews Windows Embedded Standard
Microsoft offers free Windows CE 6.0 textbook
Microsoft renames embedded operating systems
Microsoft unveils Windows Mobile 6.1
New Atom models target low-cost PCs
REFERENCE GUIDES
Windows Device Showcase
Intro to Windows Embedded
Intro to Shared Source
Real-time Windows Embedded
Windows Embedded books
Join our Windows Embedded discussion forums:
Windows XP Embedded
Windows CE
Windows Mobile


Windows Embedded developer newsgroups
Windows CE
XP Embedded
PocketPC
Smartphone

Microsoft's Windows Embedded resources
Embedded dev center
Mobile dev center
Windows CE tutorials
XP Embedded tutorials
Windows Embedded seminars
Windows Embedded application categories
3rd-party partners


BREAKING NEWS

• Cortex-A8 SBCs target signage and kiosks
• Student competition offers a different kind of fireworks
• Windows CE SBC targets HMI development
• All-you-can-eat carrier launches -- sort of
• Adeneo and IntervalZero promote "soft-control" architecture
• App creates virtual serial ports in Windows CE
• Windows satellite phone service takes off (literally)
• Bsquare and Microsoft renew key distribution agreement
• Software syncs HTC phones with Macs
• Electricity meter runs Windows, talks to Google
• Windows device is two phones in one
• MIcrosoft's online store to debut with 600 Windows Mobile apps
• Windows Mobile gets upgraded Skype VoIP client
• Panel PC targets outdoor use
• Samsung shrinks ARM11 application processor


MOST POPULAR (last 90 days)
• "Netbook" uses Intel's Atom N270
• Windows CE takes on Linux in low-end netbooks
• HTC ups Touch resolution
• Microsoft unleashes new embedded OS
• Windows Mobile phone gets 800 x 480 display
• HTC spins WiMAX phone?
• Smart camera sports Atom
• Dual-core AMD netbook gets rave review
• Windows Mobile 7 "delayed"
• GPS phone uses new Marvell "Tavor" chip
MOST POPULAR (Classics from the vault)
Windows XP Embedded USB boot
Troubleshooting Windows XPe's blue screen "Stop 0x0000007B" error
Asus reveals $190 mini notebook
Windows Mobile 6 SDKs available for download
Windows Mobile VPN client plays with Cisco
HTC adds GPS to Windows Mobile Touch line
Microsoft unveils Windows Mobile 6.1
Guide to HTC's Windows Mobile smartphone platforms
• HTC releases Touch Diamond ROM upgrade
Customizing Windows XP Embedded thin clients

Also visit our sister sites:


Sign up for WindowsForDevices.com's...

news feed

Or, follow us on Twitter...



Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  Directory  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2009 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Windows is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and is used by WindowsForDevices under license from owner. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. WindowsForDevices is an independent publication not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.