infoTECH Feature

June 14, 2010

New Windows Live Sync is Coming

By Lance Whitney
Last week Microsoft (News - Alert) announced the latest version of its Windows Live Sync utility, initially to be launched as a beta. The new edition will combine the peer-to-peer file syncing of the current Live Sync tool with the cloud-based backup of Live Mesh.
Since I juggle multiple PCs, I rely heavily on Live Sync to ensure that my documents, browser bookmarks, and other files stay the same on each machine. As much as I like Live Sync, I've always found certain limitations with it.
Live Sync is currently a peer-to-peer tool with no options to save or sync your documents online. To do that, you need Microsoft's Live Mesh tool, forcing you to use two separate but similar and somewhat redundant utilities. That's always been a problem with many of Microsoft's solutions-too many different but related tools instead of one single integrated product.
Setting up multiple PCs to sync is also an awkward process as you have to pick each one separately and choose every folder that you want to keep in sync.
Well, according to a Microsoft blog, the new version addresses those issues and more. First, it looks like Microsoft is cutting the cord on Live Mesh and moving the cloud-based syncing to the new Live Sync. This will give you the ability to keep files in sync among your different PCs but also access those same files online through your Microsoft SkyDrive account. One limitation though: your SkyDrive storage area offers you a healthy 25GB of space. But Microsoft is restricting the amount of cloud storage available for syncing to 2GB, which the company sees as a way to keep its costs in check so it can continue to offer these services for free.
Microsoft says the new Live Sync will make it simpler to add a second or third PC to your peer-to-peer and cloud network. You'll be able to more easily sync specific types of folders, such as Documents, Photos, and Music. The new version of Sync sounds more intelligent, too. It will automatically decide whether to use the Internet or your local LAN to sync files among your different PCs. It will support a greater number of folders and files to sync and give you the ability to sync files as large as 40GB.
In addition to providing file synchronization, Live Sync and Live Mesh both currently include their own unique and different remote desktop services to let you view and open files across your different PCs. The new Live Sync will standarize on one single remote desktop feature with greater capabilities. Finally, those of you who plan to use Office Web Apps via SkyDrive should find it easier to share and collaborate on the same documents, according to Microsoft. 
Like several of Microsoft's new offerings, Live Sync will work only under Windows Vista or 7. So those of you still running XP now have another yet reason to upgrade. Mac users can also join the Live Sync party as long as you're running Leopard or Snow Leopard.
The beta of Windows Live Sync isn't online just yet, so I'm anxiously awaiting a peek at the new version. I'll provide an update and a quick look as soon as it becomes available.

Lance Whitney is a journalist, IT consultant, and Web Developer with almost 20 years of experience in the IT world. To read more of Lance's articles, please visit his columnist page

Edited by Alice Straight
FOLLOW US

Subscribe to InfoTECH Spotlight eNews

InfoTECH Spotlight eNews delivers the latest news impacting technology in the IT industry each week. Sign up to receive FREE breaking news today!
FREE eNewsletter

infoTECH Whitepapers