Recently I picked up a Windows Phone 7 device. Windows Phone 7 is a new platform out there and it is lacking a bunch of client apps.. I use box.net instead of other cloud storage for a number of reasons having to do with better support of file acquisition and storage on multiple devices..
Here’s how to setup Box.Net to store files and Retrieve on Windows Phone 7.
To upload a file by email into a specific folder you will need to generate an email address unique to that folder. in Box.net.
First log into box.net.
Next, locate the folder you would like to upload into and enter into it. From here there are two ways you can generate an upload email address:
- If the folder is empty you may choose “Get Email Address for Folder” from the middle of the page.
- If the folder already has files in it please choose “Get folder email address” from the right sidebar in the section marked “Folder Options”
This will send you to a pop-up window where Box.net will generate an email address specific to this folder. The email address will include the first 7 letters of the name of the folder, to allow you easily recall the address for auto-completion in various email applications. They suggest adding this email address as a contact in your address book for quick access and making it a safe sender to avoid it being marked as spam..
Size Limitations on Files Emailed to Box.net
Simply email any attachment under 80MB to that email address to upload the file into that folder. Please note that your email application may limit you to a size below 80MB, for information regarding attachment size limits please consult your email provider.
Adding the box.net email account as a contact in Windows Phone 7
To add the new contact in Windows Phone 7
-
On Start, tap People .
-
Flick to All, and then tap New 
.
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Tap Name to give your contact a memorable account name that you will remember for this box.net folder, . When you're finished, tap Done 
-
Tap Add e-mail and then follow the instructions to assign the email address to the contact we just have been given above from the box.net system.
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Tap Account, and then tap an account (such as Google or Outlook) to change the account where your contact information will be stored.
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When you're finished adding information, tap Save 
to create this contact.
For more information on e-mail attachments in Windows Phone 7
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/howto/wp7/people/email-attachments-faq.aspx
Retrieving Files Using Box.net and the Windows Phone 7 Web Brower
visit with your windows phone 7 web browser:
http://m.box.net/
Box.net Cloud Integration with Multiple systems and Enterprise
What I find very exciting about using Box.net over other systems is it’s level of client-side integration into ubiquity out there.. For example, if you are a Google Apps Enterprise user you can admin your entire domain of accounts. Their storage is also reasonably priced and very admin friendly for smaller organizations (50 people or less). Another feature added recently is charge-back codes so you can track storage costs for client files for billing and usage purposes.
If you have PC clients you can easily connect Box.net files directly as a mapped drive letter under Windows Explorer.
You can also integrate much the same way with MacOS X
In the MacOS Finder select the GO menu then choose Connect to Server (Or even simpler Command-K).
Plug in the address:
https://www.box.net/dav
At the login screen as your USERNAME, put your full email address you used when creating your Box.net account, and for the PASSWORD use your Box.net password. (Don’t worry using HTTPS creates a secure connection)
On your desktop you will now find a little drive called ‘dav’. You can now drag files on and off that drive as you would any other.
Other Mobile Device Support
There is also great Apple iPad connectivity.. Via the Apple iPad app..
Apple iPhone Support
Google Android Phone Support via App
How about the Price
While utilities like Windows Live Mesh are totally free, there is not currently a cloud service with quite the same reach as box.net. We are waiting on a Windows Live Mesh Client for Windows Phone 7 to become available. However while most services focus on consumer and offer consumer features. The admin feature for box.net pays for itself quite handily in organizations (on a pay as needed basis). If you are worried about the costs check out their current pricing structure..
