Microsoft Expands 'Live Mesh' Trial

Published: July 23, 2008

by Alex Woodie

Microsoft has expanded the technical preview for Live Mesh, a new online "cloud" service that allows users to synchronize files among multiple PCs and mobile devices. Anybody in the U.S. can give the new service a try under the expanded trial, the company claims, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

Microsoft introduced Live Mesh to the world in April as a way to simplify how people manage their files, pictures, and assorted documents. Instead of e-mailing attachments to yourself--a common practice--you can download the Live Mesh software to your computer, move your data into the Live Mesh online storage repository, and then access the information from any computer with Internet access.

Live Mesh keeps files synchronized across various computers by continuously looking for the latest versions of files and pushing them out to supported devices as updates. Users interact with the software through a plug-in to Windows Explorer on the desktop or through the Windows Vista-like Live Desktop on the Web. And perhaps best of all, Live Mesh will be free.

While the first version of Live Mesh only supports Windows PCs, Microsoft has promised to eventually support mobile phones and Macs with the service. This has prompted comparisons to Apple's new Mobile Me service, which works with Macs, iPhones, and iPods, and which became available just last week.

The first technical preview for Live Mesh was limited to a select group of people invited to participate in the program. Under the expanded program announced last week, Microsoft at first said it would support anybody in the U.S. with valid Live ID credentials. However, that appeared to not be the case, as many people reported they were unable to access the service. In a subsequent update, Microsoft says it has doubled the number of participants from the first round of tests.

Interested parties can check out Live Mesh demos and ask to participate in the technical preview program by visiting www.livemesh.com.