February 06, 2009, 2:17 PM — Microsoft appears to have leaked and then pulled a Web site describing a service that would let Windows Mobile users back up and access information stored in the cloud.
The site, getskybox.com, is no longer loading. But an item on Engadget and many subsequent reports online said that the service would let people back up and restore phone information on a password-protected site. It would also let users access their contact lists and calendars and share photos through a Web account.
Even though the Web address uses the Skybox name, the page called the service My Phone.
Rumors have surfaced recently that Microsoft might unveil such a service at the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Microsoft already has a service that sounds similar to Skybox. Live Mesh lets people upload photos and other information to a Web page and access the data from a mobile phone.
Skybox may be different because it appears that it will automatically sync appointments, photos, videos, text messages, calendar and contact information, and more.
In addition, while anyone with a phone and a browser can use Live Mesh, Skybox appears limited to people using phones with Windows Mobile 6.
A spokesman with Microsoft's public relations firm said he didn't yet have comment about the appearance of the Get Skybox Web site.
