One of the nice features of using a webOS-based handset like the Palm Pre or Pixi is that it is always connected to the “cloud”, keeping your data safe and backed-up via the Palm Profile. Connecting with the “cloud” is effective for those pesky times when you accidentally run over your Pre or Pixi with your car or someone is enjoying your new device via a “five-fingered discount.” What happens, though, if Palm’s server goes down and you no longer have access to the cloud and your Palm Profile?

Thanks to the folks over at Pre Central who asked this important question, we have a good idea about what will work and what won’t work. If Palm’s server crashes or there is some other interruption, the things that won’t work include: over-the-air backups and restoration, first-time setup, remote wipe, and app purchasing. Otherwise, you will be in good shape. You should have access to your phone data because it is stored locally on your webOS device. Email is also safe because you receive it to your handset via Exchange or IMAP Idle.

Next time your BlackBerry-toting buddy has email problems due to BlackBerry Internet Server (BIS) outages, try hard to suppress your smirk as you know that your webOS-powered Pre or Pixi will still deliver the goods even if Palm’s server can’t.

source: PreCentral

Leave it to an enterprising precentral forum member, DrewPre, to create backup functionality where Palm and the “cloud” fall a little short. The webOS platform ingeniously remains always-connected to the cloud and stores your critical data in several locations, adding valuable convenience and peace of mind should you lose or accidentally destroy your device. This feature makes it very easy to quickly recover all of your data in the event you must replace your device.

As good as this feature is, it does have a few blind spots. For instance, call logs and SMS conversations are forever lost if you replace your phone, but with DrewPre’s backup utility, all of your data (call logs, contacts, tasks, memos, and SMS conversations) and web browser information (bookmarks, history, cookies) is bundled with your apps and patches into a zip package on your phone’s USB drive partition. Just copy it from there to your desktop and you have a way to replace all of this important data should you need to replace or reset your webOS device.

Learn more about DrewPre’s efforts over here. Hopefully it will be polished and available to the masses sometime soon!

source: precentral