SugarSync for Mobile Getting Desktop Management

I’m a big fan of file syncing service SugarSync. The 5 GB of free online storage had me happy from day one. Being able to easily send files of any size to others via email, even if they don’t use the service, has been invaluable. And the fact that, unlike competitor Dropbox, SugarSync allows me to choose any folder (or folders) on my system to sync gives the app a versatility that allows me to stick with a filing system that works for me.

When I met Robb Henshaw, SugarSync’s Director of Corporate Communications, at last night’s gdgt event, I had only one question: what’s next? I received a fairly excited response about a feature I’ve personally been desiring for quite a while.

In the past, if you looked at your SugarSync File Manager on your desktop or in the web interface, you could see a list of all your synced computers and all the files synced to each of them. But you could not see your mobile devices. Oddly enough, the only place you could manage the files for every device you owned was on a smartphone or tablet.

Recently, however, all of that changed. A recent update to the iOS version of the app lets you manage your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch straight from the desktop or web. You can add or remove files or folders to your heart’s content and have them all synced straight to the device (although you’ll have to accept the changes on the device after receiving a notification). Having used the Android version of SugarSync for a while, this came as something of a relief. File management on a small touch screen is not a comfortable process in my experience.

Unfortunately, these changes are iOS-only for the moment, but they’ll be coming soon to all the mobile platforms supported by SugarSync, including Android, Blackberry, Symbian, and Windows Mobile (their WP7 client is coming soon as well). The Android version will carry a new feature with the update, AutoSync, for mobile folders managed on the desktop.

Right now, SugarSync can automatically sync new photos from your mobile device to your Mobile Photos folder in their cloud. It can do the same for any folders you choose to sync to your smartphone. This AutoSync feature will be integrated right into desktop management of your mobile devices. No notifications, no waiting, just manage and sync, done.

I’m eagerly waiting for the update. SugarSync seems to have a clear idea of what customers want to see from their service, so I’ll ask our readers that same question: what’s next?