MS Live Mesh promises sync with Macs, phones
updated 09:00 am EDT, Wed April 23, 2008
Microsoft Live Mesh
Microsoft today unveiled what it says is a solution to keeping information in sync across not just multiple computers, but handhelds as well. Live Mesh is a platform similar to but expanded on Apple's .Mac that creates both a 5GB personal storage space and also tracks all the associated devices. Users can upload files, folders, and sometimes programs to their Mesh either as shared or private content that can be swapped between devices; actions performed in the Mesh are in turn pushed as news items that can be shared with others. As with an RSS feed, users can let friends know when vacation photos are posted or collaborate on projects, including through live chat with others viewing the same folder.
The service debuts today as a technology preview and is initially targeted at Windows computers, where users are required to download software to create a Live Desktop and share files. Microsoft explains, however, that it plans to expand Live Mesh to Mac OS X systems in coming months and will also bring the service to cellphones and similar devices; users could ultimately sync media captured from a phone or transfer music and playlists even if the device isn't physically present. The platform is open and extensible, so users won't be tied to a particular operating system or software suite, the company says.
Microsoft's new technology is currently free but requires a Windows Live ID; the company hasn't said whether it expects Live Mesh to offer a paid component.
dot mac
04/23, 09:36am reply
competition would be nice.
greenG4
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
so ...
04/23, 10:11am reply
... It's linda like dotMac, and free, except that it won't work as well, is not integrated as well, and is mostly full of empty promises ...?
Oh, right, its by Microsoft ... Must be good, then :-)
ZinkDifferent
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2005
cool
04/23, 10:36am reply
so we get "live mesh" in 2008. when would the next update be for us? 2012?
Herod
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
Re: so
04/23, 11:11am reply
Then again, .Mac is Mac only, has no windows integration or sync capabilities to speak of, and costs $100 a year (plus $10 for each additional email address, because we know Apple just can't afford to offer free email addresses; the costs are just too high, and they wouldn't be able to offer the quality 95% uptime that .Mac users expect).
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
competition always good
04/23, 11:20am reply
Dot.mac has been extremely buggy and unreliable for me.
Takes days to get answers to support requests and you DO NOT get a subscription extension for service unavailability - even when Apple acknowledges that a service, like iDisk, has been down for close to 2 months - see the Apple support discussion boards, rife with user complaints.
Competition is a really good thing as that's what it takes to wake some companies up.
Kainzow
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2007
bah
04/23, 12:01pm reply
Wont touch it, cuz in a year or 2 they will cancel the service.
Athens
Addicted to MacNN
Joined: Jan 2003
My iDisk is down?
04/23, 03:08pm reply
For 2 months? Really? I wonder what I am using that looks just like my iDisk that isn't down now nor has been for the past two months . . .
jasong
Mac Elite
Joined: Mar 2000
re: re: .Mac
04/23, 03:53pm reply
Then again, .Mac is Mac only
of all the stupid comments testudo has ever posted here, this one has got to be the nadir of stupidity.
Why on EARTH would I want to sync my Windows computer with .Mac? Is there a Windows-compatible version of Address Book and iCal which I haven't yet heard of????
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
.Mac is for Mac users
04/23, 03:56pm reply
testudo, because it was and is marketed as one of the bonus features of buying a Mac. Value-added.
You get this 'nifty' service which helps you sync your Mac-only apps like Address Book. You also get email with the cool .mac domain. You also get online storage you can access anywhere with a net connection.
Can we all take up a collection to pay for treatment for testudo's OCD? Here's 10 bucks to get it started.
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001