According to MobileTechWorld, Microsoft is hard at work on MyPhone 2.0. According to some Microsoft job postings, the update to their free phone backup and sync service will be made available as part of Windows Mobile 7 (referred to below as "the next release of Windows Mobile"). Although no new functionalities are explicitly discussed, it is hoped that v2.0 will include fixes for v1.0"s weak calendar synching and lack of sufficient backup storage space that many users, according to WMPoweruser, have complained about. Microsoft does make it known that MyPhone 2.0 will have some pretty heavy emphasis on Silverlight and Social Networking.
Having a full blown, cloud based, backup and sync solution built into WinMo 7 seems like a logical step for Microsoft"s mobile platform. With a full Zune-esque UI overhaul approaching, and rumors of no multi-tasking or Flash support (see our previous coverage), MyPhone v2.0 could be the most essential component to Microsoft"s future mobile success.
Here are pieces from the two job postings (post 1, post 2):
"The mobile and online areas are two of the most competitive and innovative areas in software today. Microsoft has strong competitors, but we also have great technologies, some amazing ideas, and a huge commitment to do what it takes to win from the executive leadership team. The My Phone service is the initial release in a bigger vision to combine these two critical areas into a compelling customer experience, enhancing the Windows Phone platform with powerful web integration scenarios around data protection, device management, social networking, location awareness, ease of use, integration with partner services, and much more.
The My Phone test team is looking for an SDET to join us as we embark on our 2.0 release. Our client work involves the development & testing of features that form part of the next release of Windows Mobile. Our server work involves development & testing for the next release of our datacenter hosted web services & web portal. Experience in either (or both) of these areas is highly preferred. The successful candidate will primarily own testing features for either client or server, but will work closely with the other."
"The My Phone server development team is looking for a software developer to join us as we embark on our 2.0 release. Our service includes a data sync engine that mirrors your phone"s data for backup and restore, as well as other cool scenarios like finding your lost phone, remotely locking or wiping the data and many others on the top of our list. If you are interested in mobile and online services, our team is at the heart of making it happen at Microsoft.
The successful candidate will be a strong developer with a passion for mobile devices and aptitude for UI and server development, in particular a subject matter expert in Silverlight technologies."