We have not been too kind about Microsoft’s ActiveSync or the Windows Mobile Device Manager as it is now known in WIndows Vista.  It is Microsoft’s way to tether your Windows Mobile phone to your Windows computer to keep your phone’s data in sync with the computer.  Microsoft has now realized that a lot of people use phones that are not of the Windows Mobile variety and have quietly introduce a beta for the Phone Data Manager (PDM).  PDM promises to sync your phone to your Windows Live account keeping all your contacts, photos and other data on your phone in sync with your Windows Live account.  What phones does it support?  Quite a few, actually, with a lot of Nokia handsets appearing on the "known to work" list from Microsoft.  Here’s how Microsoft describes the technical compatibility requirements:

In order for your phone to work with this application, the phone needsto support some common standards. For contacts synchronization, yourphone needs to support the SyncML standard, and for file download itneeds to support OBEX. In some select phones that do not supportSyncML, we are able to utilize the AT command set to provide a limitedcontact sync functionality. And of course, your phone should haveBluetooth or USB connectivity.

If you are a Windows Live user then you can try out the Phone Data Manager and let us know how it works.  It’s got to be better than ActiveSync.  I can see the next commercial now, Jerry Seinfeld connecting his Nokia phone to his Vista computer.  While eating a churro, of course.

(via Pocket PC Thoughts)