Box.net offers 50GB of free cloud storage for iOS

That's the deal being offered by Box.net: 50GB of online storage for anyone who installs the Box.net app on an iPhone, iPod Touch, or Pad. (Sorry, Android users--not sure why you're being left out.) The app itself is free, as is the Personal account you'll be creating. And if you already have an account, merely signing into it gives you that 50GB bump.

The promotion runs through December 2, but you get to keep the 50GB forever. And that space is available anywhere you use your account, not just on your handset or tablet.

In case you're not familiar with it, Box.net is cloud-storage service not unlike Dropbox and SugarSync. After uploading your various documents, media files, and the like, you can easily access them online, share them with others, stream media to a mobile device, and so on.

There's even a new feature that allows iPhone 4S and iPad 2 users to wirelessly stream Box.net files to an Apple TV.

Now for the bad news: although it's easy to enough to select files and folders to upload to your account, you must do so using a Web interface or your iDevice (which is limited to uploading photos).

There's a Dropbox-like Box Sync client for Windows and Mac, but it's available only to those who purchase Business or Enterprise accounts.

The lack of desktop syncing does limit Box.net's appeal, no doubt about it, but it's hard to complain too much about 50GB of free storage. (OK, I'll complain a little: come on, Box.net, this really limits your appeal!)

What do you think? Is Box.net worth having even without a desktop-sync option? Or is the hassle of having to upload files manually too great?