Paul Szilard (Australia)

Could computing is one of the buzz phrases of this year. It refers to keeping one’s data or programs on a web server, so that it can be accessed by different web connected devices. Web mail was the forerunner of this concept. I am testing some of the free and paid options for the iDevices that I use.

I have a desktop PC running Windows 7 64bit, a couple of Netbooks and a Laptop, plus an iPhone and an iPad. How do I keep information available on which ever I pick up without going out of my mind for ever syncing files? The answer is to use a cloud based product. But which one? They are all slightly different, but have a large overlap as well.

So began my Group Test trying to find the best solution(s) for my needs. Here are the products looked at:

• MobileMe from Apple – US$99 annual fee, 60 day try out
• Evernote - Free (basic) or US$45 annual for PRO
• SugarSync - Free for 2GB, US$50 for 30GB storage

Recommendations

If you use Outlook and especially if you have more than one iDevice, then subscribe to MobileMe for US$100/yr, and have the free versions of Evernote and SugarSync.

If however you want to choose a SINGLE paid service from the above list, then selection is more difficult. Based on what you value the most, choose;

• MobileMe – if you want track your devices by GPS; sync Outlook info; need ability to remote wipe your device if lost or stolen
• Evernote - if you want to have lots of notes that are easily readable and synced across multiple devices, including desktops and hand helds
• SugarSync - if you want to concentrate on file sync and cloud backup

Happy choosing!

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MobileMe

Main features

• Locate iPad/iPhone via GPS, as long as the device is on the mobile network, i.e. powered on. iPad has to be on the 3G network.
• Can send a message to the device. E.g. “If found, please return and call this number….”
• Can wipe the device of all data – this includes all apps including the tracking program, so after wiping, you can no longer track or communicate with the device. This is a last resort action to protect vital data.
• Can sync Outlook mail & contacts
• Can sync files

All but the last bullet, are unique features, which make MobileMe a strong contender for your wallet. Down sides are that there is no on-going free version, only a 60 evaluation, the price is high at US$100/yr and the sync functions are way below competition such as SugarSync.

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Evernote

Main features

• Can be installed on many devices, including iPad/iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Palm, Winmo, Windows or Macintosh computers
• Free version limited use, but still very useful; Premium $45/yr
• Syncs special Notes in Notebooks
• Evernote Blog

My comments

I am using the free version at the moment. I am not going to reprint/paraphrase their description, however you can read that all HERE on their site. I am pretty sure that I am going to get the paid account sometime soon, but not just yet. Their comparison page on free versus paid might be of value. LINK

Right now, I am trans-scribing my customer support data, such as server passwords, email account settings, etc. into Evernote. This way I just open or update a note on my PC, and know that when I am on-site at a customer’s I’ll have my key data on my iPad, and even if I get an after hours call and I am at my favourite restaurant, I can access the same data on my iPhone. I am also using LogMeIn for remote support, so this way I am really able to respond quickly to emergencies.

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SugarSync

Features

SugarSync seems to cream the opposition when it comes to cloud sync and share. They have recently added a FREE 2GB Storage plan, which never times out. This may be all you need, but it certainly allows a person to get real familiar with SugarSync and decide if/when to go “Pro”.

Check out their competitive comparison chart HERE, and their Pricing Plans HERE.