SugarSync Unveils App for Windows 8 & RT, Plans One for Windows Phone

As an addition or an alternative to Microsoft SkyDrive, SugarSync has released a file sharing, syncing and storage app specifically tailored to Windows 8 and RT. Available as a free download from Microsoft's Windows Store, the app will soon be joined by a Windows Phone 8 edition.

"Once you log in to the app, you will notice a new design that shows all your folders that have been synced from any computer using the SugarSync desktop app," said Vibhor Chharba, senior product manager at SugarSync.

SugarSync for Windows 8 and RT gives you 5GB of free space for storing docs, photos, music, and other files. If you need more room, you can choose from a variety of paid accounts.

For its part, Skydrive provides you with 7GB for free, or 25GB if you're a long-time SkyDrive account holder.

Both apps run across PC and mobile platforms. SugarSync, for example, can also be used with Windows 7; Vista and XP PCs; Mac OS X; Apple iPads, iPhones, and iPods; Android; Windows Mobile 5 and 6; and BlackBerry devices.

Of course, you can also choose to store your favorite things in any number of other cloud-based rivals, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or Box, to name a few.

Like Microsoft's latest SkyDrive release, though, the new SugarSync app for Windows 8 and RT offers features expressly designed for Micrrosoft's new tile interface. The app includes live tiles which show recent changes to your files and you can also pin your most frequently used folders to the start menu for handy access.

"If you like to multi-task, you'll love using the SugarSync app in Snap View. You can keep the SugarSync app open while browsing the Web, shopping online, chatting with friends, or watching a video," Chharba noted in a blog post.

The app also incorporates a Share charm for file sharing through email, Facebook, Twitter, or your blog. Other key features include photo thumbnails and fullscreen photo views.

For the future, Chharba said, SugarSync is working on adding new features including the ability to access folders that other people have shared with you, and to save files and folders to SugarSync from other apps.

Chharba didn't specify when SugarSync will release a Windows Phone 8 app, except to say that it will be "soon."