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Palm has just let us know about a new (temporally) free backup application and service that it is now offering in beta. Called Palm Backup, it enables users to wirelessly save a copy of personal data to a secure server over the air.

Data than can be backed up and restored include Contacts, Calendar, Memos, Tasks, Bookmarks, Speed Dials and call log. You can set up an automatic backup schedule or backup manually whenever you want. Restoration can occur anywhere you have wireless coverage.

The solution works with Palm OS Treos (the 650, 680, and 700p) for users who are customers of AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon customers. It is password protected.

As with all services that require megabytes of info to be carried through the air, it is strongly recommended you have an unlimited data plan. Otherwise, you may see your data charges skyrocket.

Palm Backup sounds similar to a service called BackupBuddy.Net from Blue Nomad we reviewed last year.

The professional version of BackuBuddy.Net enables Palm OS Treo users to wireless backup and restore all data on their device, including the Palm platform’s native PIM applications as well as third-party software and other types of bits and bytes—even data stored on a memory card.

It automatically and continuously works in the background to protect data by sending it to the software developer's remote data center via the Internet over the air, through a technology Blue Nomad calls Trickle Backup, whenever BackupBuddy.Net detects changes—even with the display off and the unit in sleep mode.

Treo data is sent in the same encrypted (AES) format used by most banks and e-payments sites.

The professional version costs $29.95 for twelve months and $19.95 for six, while a basic edition (support for Palm OS PIM apps only) goes for $14.95 a year and $9.95 for half that time.

We expect Palm will start charging for its wireless backup service as well when the beta trial period concludes.