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Sharpcast has launched a new service for sharing, archiving, and accessing photos. Sharpcast Photos 1.0 automatically backs up and synchronizes photos across multiple computers, the Web, and mobile devices. (Currently only Windows Mobile phones and PDAs are supported, but Sharpcast plans to add compatibility with other mobile platforms.)
The Sharpcast suite consists of a desktop application, a mobile application, and a Web interface. Photos from designated desktop folders on one or more computers and on mobile devices are uploaded and synchronized automatically, and changes made to uploaded photos are automatically synchronized across all designated locations in real time.
Among the photo-sharing features Sharpcast offers are drag-and-drop functionality for sending images to individuals listed in a user's buddy list, group albums, a live group chat feature, and a Photo Widget, which pulls a slideshow of images into a blog or Web site. The slide show is updated as images are added to a user's Sharpcast album.
Print ordering is also available through the Web component of Sharpcast's service, and the company plans to add desktop printing functions in the future.
Sharpcast offers a free service plan that stores an unlimited number of uploaded JPEGs at full resolution for 30 days. After the 30-day period, photos continue to be available for free at 1600x1200 resolution. To retain photos at full resolution, Sharpcast's Photos Premium plan costs $5.99 per month or $64.99 per year. DVDs of archived photos will be available from Sharpcast as well. Sharpcast plans to add support for RAW files in the future.
Sharpcast Photos 1.0 is available from Sharpcast's Web site. Lexar also bundles Sharpcast's software on disc with select memory cards under the name "Backup N Sync."
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