Best Buy Mobile Launches m:IQ Backup & Sync For Android Smartphones [m:IQ Mobile Backup & Sync Service Now Available For Android Smartphones & Its A Free Service]

Posted on TFTS by Robert Nelson on Wednesday, 30. June 2010 under: Mobile/Cell Phones

Best Buy Mobile originally announced their m:IQ service back in October of last year. And for those who may have missed it, m:IQ is billed as a competitor to MobileMe. As for compatibility, there is support for a decent amount of devices including some BlackBerry, some Windows Mobile, some Nokia and as of today — Android.

As for what the service does, in short, it will allow you to backup your smartphone on the web. And unlike what is syncing with Google services, your calendar and contacts — m:IQ syncs and backs up everything including voicemails, sms messages and even your media.

Overall, it looks good to me, so I took a few minutes to set it up. Here is the process and some thoughts.

The setup seems basic and straight forward, asking for details such as your email, country and mobile number as well as choosing a username and password. From there you are directed to visit m.miqlive.com, which in turn launches the Market and gives your the app to download. The app is free and described as “the easiest way to backup & manage your phone!”

Of course, my information, along with most Android users is being synced with my Google account. So why would I need this you ask. Good question, and the answer is simple — mIQ backs up your data in a second location, which basically means that if something happens to Google or your Google account you are not going to be without your calendar and contacts.

Plus, mIQ also uploads other items such as SMS messages, voicemail messages, call information and images and videos. This is nice for a few reasons, one just in case of Google failure, but will also be nice to have if you lose your phone. Not to mention this could come in very handy should you upgrade your phone.

Other perks found with the m:IQ service include the ability to send text messages from your m:IQ account on the web as well as sending or sharing images and videos.

Best of all, its a free service. In short, if you are an Android user this seems like a good app to install — if for no other reason than just in case.

But I digress, after the app is installed you are prompted to login and you then begin the first sync. This seems to be taking some time, but its a first and everything is going so that was expected. Otherwise the settings allow for some customization including checking the items you want (or don’t want) synced. Additionally you can choose to sync always or only when on Wi-Fi. The default here is always.

I the end, m:IQ seems to be a decent offering. Of course, I have only had it for a few minutes so my thoughts may still change at some point.

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