14 DAY TRIAL // AT&T announced the availability of a new service that will allow its subscribers to backup contact information found in their mobile phone's address book. Using a downloadable application called AT&T Mobile Backup, consumers will be able to save their contacts and then transfer them on a new phone, in case their handset is stolen, damaged or replaced.
To begin using the service, users must first download the AT&T Mobile Backup application on their handsets. Then, the application backs up the content of the phone's address book by sending the contact information to a secure server over the wireless network. Backups are performed automatically on a weekly or daily basis, or, should the user desire, he can choose to perform a manual backup anytime he wants by pressing the Backup button on the main screen of the application.
The backup service can also be accessed online at the AT&T Mobile Backup website, where the user can add, edit and manage his contact information. In addition, the website allows customers to print their contacts to a list and import contacts from other address books, such as Microsoft Outlook, Yahoo! and AOL, which can then be transferred to the device wirelessly. From the website, users can also access a privacy protection feature that allows them to remotely erase contacts found on the handset in the event the phone is lost or stolen.
At launch, AT&T Mobile Backup will be initially compatible with six handsets, namely the Motorola RAZR V3xx, RAZR V3i, RAZR V3r, V365, SLVR L7 and KRZR K1, with support for more devices to be added at a later date. The service will be available for a subscription cost of $1.99 per month, without any additional charges for the data transmission to back up or restore contacts. The application can be downloaded here or by sending a SMS with the message "MBU" to 386.