Beta Watch

SugarSync: Automatic Sharing

Everyone has a few PCs they use regularly, and keeping the latest versions of important files current on all of them can be a major hassle. SugarSync, a paid service scheduled to debut by the time you read this, makes syncing your files automatic. You download SugarSync's desktop app to each PC that you want to keep up-to-date, choose the folders you're interested in, and let SugarSync handle the rest. The SugarSync app will upload the revised version of a document on your work desktop to SugarSync's server, which then pushes a copy of the new file version down to your home PC. Conversely, if you change a word on your home PC, the edit shows up on your work desktop within seconds. You can also access files from your mobile phone or from any other PC through SugarSync's site. The service costs $5 per month for 10GB of storage, with larger storage tiers available at higher rates.

Capzles: Super Slide Shows

If the typical online slide show--a series of pictures with captions--fails to capture the magic of your wedding (or your product) adequately, try Capzles, a free site that was still in private beta at press time. This beautifully designed, Flash-based site enables you to upload photos, videos, or music files, and enter text to create a multimedia time line. You can choose a prepackaged background or design your own. After you've finished, visitors can step through your creation or browse thumbnails to select the sections they're most interested in. Your musical choice will play in the background, fading to silence when a visitor plays a video.

Shifd: Info Nuggets at Your Fingertips

Shifd is a free service designed to help you collect and return to snippets of online content. A simple Shifd dashboard displays your data nuggets in three categories: notes, places, and links. You can download an Adobe AIR desktop app to drag information from other apps into a small window. Shifd will figure out what kind of info it is and automatically categorize it. You can add data through a browser plug-in, and you can access it on your mobile phone. One neat feature: Drag in an address and Shifd automatically supplies links to a Google or Yahoo map of the location.