MS laying down plans for SkyBox 1.5, 2.0?
updated 01:25 pm EST, Wed February 4, 2009
MS SkyBox plans leak
In-depth plans for Microsoft's SkyBox sync service have been leaked, according to anonymous sources said to be "well-connected" to the matter. A v1.0 beta of the service is expected to go live in mid-February, and provide basic backup, restore, management and sharing functions for cellphone data. The service should also be free, due to an advertising-laced web portal.
The summer is expected to see an evolution to SkyBox 1.5, divided into a free basic service and a paid one which would require Windows Mobile 6.1, or possibly one of a handful of supported third-party platforms. A SkyBox 2.0 is already said to be planned, meanwhile, and set to launch at approximately the same time as Windows Mobile 7.
The second major iteration would allow people to manage cellphones via the web in more detail, with options such as changing ringtones or wallpaper, and handling music and video. The service is also expected to integrate with the SkyMarket app store, allowing people to save apps and related data in a remote location. SkyBox may further be linked with Windows Live and Live Mesh, though how is uncertain.
Windows Mobile 7 was recently pegged by Motorola chief Sanjay Jha as launching sometime in 2010.
