Tyfish: A Little Late For a Back Up

February 23, 2009

Not too long I reviewed Cybersynchs , a cell phone back up service. While I loved the idea and thought they definitely could make headway in the future, I knew the one of the biggest challenges would be: how to fend off the competition. Another new service, Tyfish, will ultimately face similar challenges. To be sure, there is a definite need for a cell phone back up service that serves to place one’s information securely on a website that is viewable by password only from any internet connection. Some services such as Dashwire even go as far as to allow a user to send and receive texts from a PC. So not only are all your contacts, photos, calendar info, and texts stored in one place but you can actively communicate as though you were using your phone. Tyfish goes a step further than most by facilitating a “wipe” process that’ll erase data from your phone at the user’s request. Another feature called “shout” acts as an emergency alarm that can be activated remotely in case the phone is stolen, lost or the user is just needs to alert someone. And, as they say, “a mobile phone is either lost, stolen or damaged every 1.6 seconds” so their service is certainly prescient. Maybe a bit too prescient. Microsoft will be launching cell phone back up service My Phone with the release of Windows Mobile 6.5 . And it’ll be free. While Tyfish has a free 45 day trial it is unclear if they will be charging a fee after the trial is over. Also, Dashwire is already out of beta, is free, won much praise from the likes of Laptop magazine and received an award for best entertainment application for 2008 from CTIA IT & Entertainment , “the largest wireless data event in the wireless, internet and telecommunications industries.” So Tyfish has an uphill road to climb, in my opinion. Monetization is never easy especially in this business climate.

Category: web 2.0 | Tags: Mobile, start-up, web 2.0

BryonD

John, thanks for posting your comments about Tyfish. You make some great points. Backup used to be a word used only by geeks and nerds. Today, and in the near future if you are not backing up your data, especially if you have a smartphone, the day will eventually come when the phone will be lost or stolen, along with your sensitive data.

The difference between Tyfish and our competitors is that we address the issue of fully protecting your mobile data through the combination of remote backup and over-the-air security (see our blog post on the subject) versus looking at the phone as merely a social tool.

As far as competition, there is plenty of room for anyone who can come up with a better mouse trap. Our pricing model is not built around a monthly fee and is stated on the website when you click 'Signup' and 'Get Started'. Our software is free to download and available to use even after the trial. Tyfish users can choose an on-demand option which activates the service for a fee when needed after the phone is lost or stolen. The fee is $10 for a 30 day activation - hopefully the phone is found within that time. If not, the phone can be locked or wiped of all relevant data.

Thanks,
Bryon Daily, CEO @ Tyfish

Dede @ Clutch

I met Bryon at a social media/investing event in Atlanta a few years ago. I think Tyfish is genius and will spread with time and the with the right marketing/pr push. I think it's a wonderful service. Good luck.