Backing Up your data is similar to ‘Insurance’. You do NOT need it UNTIL you REALLY do need it. And by then, it is too late!

There are several application and methods to backup the contents of your mobile device. The one that immediately comes to mind is the popular PC-Suite (if you want to back-up to your PC). You may choose to back-up the contents of your phone to a file on the phone itself, and then bluetooth / transfer it elsewhere for safe-keeping.

Alternatively, you could choose to backup to somewhere in the stratosphere (cloud).

Two of the free on-device CONTACTS backup applications that I have used are:

Contacts Transfer (for Symbian s60V3 and earlier) downloadable from the My-Symbian store (Note that You can use this app with Symbian^1 / S60v5 by making use of of a virtually Keyboard Application called ‘VirtualKeyBoard’)

Contacts BackEXT for s60v3/s60v5) – which you can grab from APNIAPPS

You may want to give them both a spin.

If you prefer the option of backing up to the cloud (with the added option of a more comprehensive and total phone backup, you may want to give B.U.M.P (Back Up My Phone) a try.

The B.U.M.P service makes use of an application you will install on your device to sync your data to a server. It allows you to selectively synchronize all your phone data (not just contacts) – contacts calendar, text messages, e.t.c.

As with any other cloud service (particularly a free one!), it is wise not to rely on a single one. If you wake up, and find that the service has gone up in smokes, who ya gonna sue?

B.U.M.P is by One Dot Limited UK and the service is funded by the in-app adverts. So, adopt the srategy that works best for you, but, backup that data/datum TODAY!

The N900 is specified as supporting Mail for Exchange/Exchange Server. However, the internet is littered with users looking for a way to get this service to work, especially with Google Sync. I kept on getting error messages, such as “Error in communication with Exchange server” and “Exchange server is not responding“. This is one area where the N900′s imperfections show.

It took me some time, but I finally got it working. No; it didn’t take rocket science. The solution is very simple. It is my opinion that Nokia simply needs to put out more detailed information to assist their customers in getting the best out of their devices.

Important!
To get Exchange Server to work with syncing your Google calendar and contacts, make sure that your N900′s Contacts and Calendar do not contain any items before your first synchronisation. Do not restore your calendar or contacts from a previous backup using PC Suite.

Settings to watch out for
1. Open the Settings menu on your device and start the Mail for Exchange application.

2. Proceed to set up a sync profile, paying attention to the following details:

• Username: Your full Google email address, e.g. tundewonder@gmail.com or Google domain email e.g. tunde@tundewonder.com
• Password: Your Google Account password
• Domain: leave empty
• Exchange Server: m.google.com
• Port: 443
• Secure Connection: Yes
• Sync Email: Disable***
• Sync Calendar and Tasks: Enable
• Sync Contacts: Enable

***You must disable Email sync here in the Mail for Exchange (MfE) application. If you need to setup your Gmail or Google domains email, do so in the Mail application. Its the way to go until Nokia fixes whatever is wrong with the MfE application on the N900.

You can select any options for the other settings not specified above, but you need to pay attention to those I have specified. Anything else, and its a hit-and-miss affair.

Once you are done, your first synchronisation should go through without any hitches, and depending on the sync shedule that you selected, your N900 will keep your contacts and calendar entries on your device in sync with Google Calendar and Contacts.

I have both Google Sync via Exchange Server and my Google domains mail working flawlessly on my N900. Now, you can too.

WinMo smartphone users can now synchronise their phone contacts and back them up to the web via Microsoft’s My Phone service.

• Back up and restore your phone’s information to a password-protected web site
• Access and update your contacts and appointments through your web account
• Share photos on your phone with family and friends

Signing up for your Microsoft My Phone account gives you access to 200 MB of free storage on the Microsoft My Phone web site. Not bad.

Head over to the My Phone website for more information about the service.

If you change phones a lot for any reason, you must be familiar with the problem of transferring your contacts.

One way to solve that problem is to regularly backup your files. But this does not have to be limited to just contacts. Other files, such as SMS, pictures and calendar entries, can be backed up too.

If you have a PC, you can backup your phone via whatever PC Suite the manufacturer supports. If not, an online backup service is a viable alternative.

ZYB is an online sysstem that backs up all the contact information on your phone to the internet. ZYB automatically updates your contacts, on the phone and internet, whenever you or your friends change or add information. This basic functionality is free.

Basically, you need a GPRS/EDGE/3G/HSDPA connection, and you can backup and restore your files anywhere, anytime as long as you are within network coverage.

You can also backup your contacts by sending SMS to a predefined number. Picture backups can be done via MMS as well.

The advantage of thee online sservice is that you are not tied to doing backups and restores from just one location (wherever your PC happens to be).

In addition to backing up contacts, ZYB also backs up your calendar entries. You can also backup your SMS, pictures and videos for a small subscription.

In addition, ZYB shows you your frieends’ Social updates from Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Hyves and blogs.

Sounds like something you could use? Then head over to ZYB.COM to signup free and Keep your phone in sync.