Acronis True Image Cloud 2016 gets mobile backup

Acronis has unveiled its 2016 consumer range, with Acronis True Image 2016 handling all your local backup needs, and the new Acronis True Image Cloud 2016 adding much-improved cloud tools.

Strong mobile supports means the Cloud edition can back up pictures, videos, contacts and events from iPhones, iPads, Android smartphones and tablets, and Windows tablets, and transfer them to other devices.

Desktops aren’t left out. You’re now able to free up drive space by "smart archiving" little-used files to the cloud; True Image Cloud can upload Bitlocker-encrypted partitions; and unlimited storage means you can use it just as much as you like.

With licenses for up to 5 computers and 15 desktops, this could get confusing, but fortunately you’re able to monitor all your devices from a new online dashboard.

The package also has all the local backup functionality of the previous editions. You’re able to back up files, folders, partitions or hard drives, to local or network drives, with your own backup scheme, schedule, encryption, notifications, exclude filters, pre/ post commands and more.

Better still, after being inexplicably dropped last time, True Image 2016 sees the welcome return of "Try&Decide". It’s a handy feature which allows you to take a system snapshot, then carry out some potentially risky action -- install a new program, maybe -- and optionally revert to your snapshot if there are any problems.

There have also been some interface tweaks to make the program easier to use, and Acronis says backup and recovery performance is better than ever.

Acronis True Image Cloud 2016 is priced from $99.99 for a 1 computer, 3 device license, $69.99 as an upgrade, and runs on Windows XP-10 and OS X.

If you don’t need online backup then Acronis True Image 2016 is essentially the same program, without the cloud subscription. It’s priced from $49.99 for a 1 computer license, and is also available for Windows XP-10 and OS X.