Syncables 360 Premium Keeps Data Synced on PCs, Macs, and Smartphones

When you have multiple computers and smartphones that you use regularly, making sure that the right file is on the right device at the right time--and in sync with all other devices--can seem to be an impossible task. Syncables 360 Premium ($50, buy-only) aims to make it a simple, automatic one, and adds some nice extras as well.

Syncables 360 Premium syncs multiple computers, but they'll need to be on the same network or use USB as a go-between; it can't synchronize over the Internet.

Syncables 360 Premium automatically synchronizes files and folders among multiple computers and devices, including PCs, Macs, Linux computers, and Blackberry and Windows Mobile smartphones. You can do it over a network or via a USB cable.

It's simple to use and set up, and it presents all of your syncing options in a pleasing, well-thought out interface. Syncables 360 Premium does more than just basic synchronization. It also migrates data between computers, previews media files, backs up files to a USB drive or external hard drive, and lets you share media on social networking sites such as Facebook and Flickr.

Syncables 360 Premium joins the throng in an increasingly crowded market niche. Notable syncing tools competitors include SugarSync and the beta of the newest version of Windows Live Sync. In one way, the free versions of both SugarSync and Windows Live Sync are superior to Syncables 360 Premium, because both of those free services don't just synchronize folders between computers--they also back up the files to 2GB of free online storage (more storage is available for a fee). So if you only want file synchronization, you'd be better off with one of those free services.

Syncables 360 Premium has one more drawback as well, and it's a major one: It won't synchronize over the Internet. You can only do it via a direct connection such as a cable, or over a home or business network.

But Syncables 360 Premium offers plenty of tools those pieces of software don't offer, such as media previewing, synchronizing contacts, data migration, and the ability to easily share photos on social networking sites including Flickr and Facebook. So if you need those features, and don't need the ability to synchronize over the Internet, Syncables 360 Premium is worth it. Otherwise, you'd be better off with a free solution.

Note that Syncables 360 Premium works with three computers. If you need to synchronize more than that, you can buy the Syncables 360 Home Network version, which can sync up to five computers, for $70.