Why you should sync your web browser with the cloud and your phone

The new generation of web browsers has a lot of cool new features, but in a world where you jump from computer to computer — from home to office, and your smartphone in between — one feature stands out above all the rest: synchronization. Imagine never having to remember a password ever again, or having one-click access to your bookmarks wherever you go. With synchronization, or "syncing," you can leave 10 tabs open at home and arrive at the office to magically find that the very same tabs are already open on your work computer.

To make full use of web browser syncing, you need to use Firefox on your desktop or laptop computer, and own an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. If you use another web browser or you don't own an iPhone, skip to the end of this article, where I have provided some alternative syncing methods for Chrome and Opera web browsers, as well as Android and BlackBerry smartphones.

Getting started
If you don't already use Firefox, download and install it. Next, grab the Firefox Sync add-on, and restart your browser when it prompts you to. You should then see a screen like this:



Creating a new account
Hit "Create a New Account," and then provide all of the requisite details — don't worry, your email address won't be shared with anyone; it will only be used so that you can set up Firefox Sync on other computers. Make sure "Firefox Sync Server" is selected from the Server drop-down and hit Next.

Now you'll be shown a very long "Sync Key," which is the key that will be used to encrypt all of your sync data. This key is never uploaded to the internet, so no one at Firefox can ever see your browser history or open tabs. You can either Print or Save it — I would do both. Keep the printed key in your wallet, and save the file onto a USB flash drive. Click Next when you're ready to continue.


Prove you're a human
Don't be alarmed by the next screen — Firefox just wants to prove you're not a spammer or some kind of nefarious type that's trying to crash the Firefox servers. Type the obfuscated words into the box, or hit the little "refresh" button if you can't read it. Hit Next, and you'll be taken to the Setup Complete screen.

By default, Firefox Sync synchronizes everything — bookmarks, passwords, preferences, browsing history and tabs — but if you want to change it, click Sync Options in the bottom left. Once you're done, click Finish.

Now the magic truly begins
To experience the magic of browser sync, you need to set up Firefox Sync on another device. If you want to sync to another computer — at your workplace, for example — just click "I Have a Firefox Sync Account" and enter your email address, account password, and sync key. That's all there is to it. You will immediately have access to your bookmarks, and typing in the address bar will search through your home computer's browsing history. If you want to open tabs that were open on another computer, click the little arrow in the top right corner (see image).

Don't forget it works both ways, though! Everything you do at work will also be synchronized with your home machine.

iPhone, iPad and iPod touch sync
The last trick up Firefox's sleeve is Firefox Home for iPhone, a free app that hooks into your Firefox Sync account.

To set it up, just download it from the App Store, launch it, and push I Have A Sync Account. Now, if you are sitting near your desktop or laptop computer, open up Firefox. Click Tools, Options, then Sync. Click "Add a device," and type in the code shown on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

If you're not sitting near your computer, you will need to use the long Sync Key that you printed or saved.

Once Firefox Home is set up, you'll be able to browse any open tabs from your office or work computer, which is great for reading things while commuting! You can also search through your browser history or use your bookmarks, which is handy if you like surfing from your smartphone.

For more details on the Firefox/iPhone sync process, or if syncing doesn't seem to work, check out this Firefox support page.

Options for Opera, Chrome, and Android smartphones
Because syncing is "bleeding edge," the options for other platforms are variable in quality and reliability and may take a little bit of effort to set up.

Xmarks is an excellent service that works across every major browser and on Android, iPhone, and BlackBerry phones, but it will cost you $12 per year.

Opera Link works flawlessly across all of its PC versions, and it can sync with Opera Mini, which is available for just about every mobile phone in existence.

Finally, if you're an Android owner and feeling adventurous, try out Firefox for Android, which supports Firefox Sync out of the box.

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