SugarSync Sweetens Online Syncing

by Joe Kissell

August 31, 2008

In my ongoing efforts to keep up with the latest Mac backup tools, I’ve come across a number of services that promise to automatically synchronize some set of files from your Mac or PC with a server somewhere on the Internet, such that you can access those files from nearly any device that can run a Web browser. Among the many services in this category are SpiderOak, Dropbox, and of course MobileMe’s iDisk feature.

On the whole I’ve found these services interesting but not exciting - there’s always at least one “gotcha,” such as a missing key feature, significant bugs, an unreliable infrastructure, or so-so Mac software. (MobileMe, alas, has thus far been an offender in all the above categories.) However, one such service I’ve had my eye on for a while, SugarSync from Sharpcast, suddenly got much more interesting last week with the release of an iPhone client and a new online feature.

Introducing SugarSync — First, the basics. You pay for the SugarSync service based on the amount of online storage space you want - rates start at $24.99 per year for 10 GB and go up to $249.99 per year for a healthy 250 GB. Once you’ve signed up (a free trial is available), you download the free client software, which is available for Mac OS X and Windows; they also offer mobile versions for Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and now iPhone.

The client software runs in the background and …

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