Funambol Unveils Its Open Source v8 MobileWe Sync Software

Today, Funambol, a provider of open source push and mobile sync software, officially introduced the next generation of its MobileWe platform. Funambol's v8 MobileWe software looks a bit different from its predecessors, and with good reason. This release sports a new AJAX web portal and integrates some very visual features.

The new portal was designed to better facilitate syncing PIM (contact and calendar) data, email and multimedia files between mobile devices, the internet, and desktop computers. Those who are familiar with Funambol's software likely picked up on the other new feature from that last sentence: The v8 MobileWe software supports image syncing between devices.

The new release will also feature enhanced smartphone clients for Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Android, and Symbian phones, enhanced support for a number of additional SyncML phones, and continuous Google and Yahoo! import capabilities.

Funambol's v8 MobileWe is scheduled for release in the second quarter of 2009, but Funambol will be giving sneak previews at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week.

One of the most appealing things about Funambol -- in addition to, and because of its openness -- is its ability to get devices to connect and exchange information regardless of platform. As Funambol continues to foster its support business, its free portal, and its developer community, it could make it that open source mobile services aren't seen simply as "the alternative" -- it could be that open source will become the industry standard.