iSync Beta Released [Archive]

MacRumors

Sep 28, 2002, 12:06 PM

Apple's iSync Beta (http://www.apple.com/isync/) is now available for download.

Use iSync Public Beta to synchronize your Address Book contacts and iCal calendars across Mac OS computers and devices, such as an iSync-compatible mobile phone, an iPod or a Palm OS device. You can also use iSync Public Beta to synchronize two or more Macintosh computers, using the Internet (.Mac membership required).

bluey

Sep 28, 2002, 12:36 PM

i got it ! it's great ! it works !

TheT

Sep 28, 2002, 01:17 PM

Works without any problems for me and my iPod, too... :)
It should quit after an automatic sync though, just like Backup does... too bad the feedback forms don't work right now... :/

buffsldr

Sep 28, 2002, 01:18 PM

i am so stoked. now its time to get the sony ericsson phone. i forget the model, but it has a color screen and bluetooth. goodbye verizon, hello at&t

TheT

Sep 28, 2002, 01:24 PM

Originally posted by buffsldr
i am so stoked. now its time to get the sony ericsson phone. i forget the model, but it has a color screen and bluetooth. goodbye verizon, hello at&t
You mean the T68i.... it is about the best cell phone ever (at least if you own a mac :D )!
I just wish I had enough moeny to buy one... well, I gotta stick to my Nokia 3410, at least it's supported by iSync, too. But then again, there is no USB cable for it :mad:

Goblin2099

Sep 28, 2002, 02:07 PM

Got an e-mail the other day saying that Apple was extending the deadline for iTools users to pay $50 for .mac for another two weeks. At first I thought they were just trying to get the stragglers, but it makes sense now: one of iSync's most important functions, synchronizing contacts and calendars between computers, only works if you buy .mac. I don't see why iSync can't just act like iCal and provide an alternative...other than, of course, trying to force users into .mac. For me, the only two alluring things about a .mac membership are not losing my e-mail address and getting iSync to work as it was advertised. I know there's been more than enough whining about losing iTools, but it seems odd that .mac's features are based on crippling other services unless you pay the fee.

On the other hand, i'm glad my iPod syncs more easily now. Here's to the future developments of iSync....

horovitz

Sep 28, 2002, 02:15 PM

i get the following error message in the
log file when i try to sync with .mac:

16/9/02 12:42:49
Assertion Failed!
Expression: IsOpen()
File: Source/f1shared/f1clog.cpp
Line: 575
Assertion failure: File Source/f1shared/f1clog.cpp, Line 575: IsOpen()

ninkasi

Sep 28, 2002, 02:17 PM

FYI Amazon has the T68i for $50 after the silly rebates. That proved to be too tempting for this person shopping for a new phone. Should have it in about a week!

TheT

Sep 28, 2002, 02:20 PM

Does anyone know how to get your addressbook to sync with the one .Mac webmail uses? I thought this was supposed to work, but by syncing my computer with .mac, the webmail address book still doesn't have anything in there :confused:

medea

Sep 28, 2002, 02:29 PM

I'm excited about this, but I currently have no use for it. When I get my iPod though.......

bidge

Sep 28, 2002, 02:41 PM

I have the same error as horovitz but only on my current compuer, it works fine on another one. It is only a problem with one calendar with heaps of similar info.

At the moment it means that it is easier for me to just copy my calendars in manually. Hopefully this will be fixed in the final version.

iAryeh

Sep 28, 2002, 02:46 PM

It works great. I can not wait until my next pay check to get the Sony phone. I guess my iPod will have to do until then.

dricci

Sep 28, 2002, 04:16 PM

eolson03

Sep 28, 2002, 04:45 PM

Has anybody looked at the wireless earpiece for Nokia Phones?
http://www.nokia.com/phones/hdw-2/faq_func.html
It says it supports bluetooth and lasts up to three hours talk time and 30 hrs standbye.
What are the chances that the iPod will have bluetooth in the future? That would be a great way to add phone capabilities to the iPod.

http://www.nokia.com/phones/hdw-2/pics/446x160_4.gif

blakespot

Sep 28, 2002, 05:42 PM

How curious. Have a look at iSync (http://www.mmddyy.com/en/General/Download.jsp?name=download) for PC.

blakespot

skunk

Sep 28, 2002, 06:07 PM

It looks like exactly the same thing (bar the phone synching): surely there's going to be lawyers going crazy over this! Who wrote the programme? And they're both public betas released on the same day! This lot seem to be based "mainly in Hongkong, China and Taiwan".

big

Sep 28, 2002, 06:15 PM

It's good, it just needs to work on a LAN....not over the internet where you have to have a .mac account

bidge

Sep 28, 2002, 06:39 PM

Those of us having the same issues, when does it happen to you. During the iCal part?

It would be great to fix up this problem

P-Worm

Sep 28, 2002, 06:42 PM

well...Rock on!

P-Worm

Timothy

Sep 28, 2002, 07:39 PM

It is ridiculous that Apple has provided a free program to let you sync between your desktop or laptop and a third-party phone (for which you paid Apple Nothing) but that I have to pay Apple more money to sync between my Desktop and my Laptop (for which I paid Apple).

That's an insult.

Syncing between two connected macs should not require a connection to Cupertino; if you need to charge money for the app, then do so. Charge a $29 "pro" fee, but don't make me have to connect to the net to sync my two macs.

Ridiculous!

telecine

Sep 28, 2002, 08:14 PM

Nokia 7650

does it work? is it worth me shelling out £40 for a bluetooth adaptor?

Powerbook 500 G3/Pismo/640MB Ram etc

meghop

Sep 28, 2002, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by horovitz
i get the following error message in the
log file when i try to sync with .mac:

16/9/02 12:42:49
Assertion Failed!
Expression: IsOpen()
File: Source/f1shared/f1clog.cpp
Line: 575
Assertion failure: File Source/f1shared/f1clog.cpp, Line 575: IsOpen()

Okay I also had the error message above when trying to sync my g4 and ibook through .mac. G4 was syncing fine with .mac but not the ibook. I have apparently resolved it through some tomfoolery - here's what I did:

-I had the Bladerunner beta version installed previously on the ibook, so I checked to make sure I got all of it removed before I installed iSync. Kept getting that error only on the ibook (not the g4) so I checked again by searching for "sync" (NOT isync) in both the library and library for my home directory. I found a folder called "syncservice" in the library that was dated at the same time that I installed the Bladerunner version. I deleted it, as well as the copy of syncservice in my home library, the app, and the package "receipt."

-Then I logged out and back in again, and reinstalled the version of iSync released today. In iSync on my g4, I "unregistered" my ibook's drive, and then set up iSync .mac on the ibook by registering it and synced to merge the data with .mac on the first sync. (I made sure to select "Backup my Data" from the menu first, just in case I killed it).

Worked like a charm - complete sync the first time! Hope this helps somebody. Email me with ?'s if this didn't make any sense.;)

IJ Reilly

Sep 28, 2002, 09:52 PM

Well, I don't know how any of you are doing any of this -- as far as I can tell, all of mac.com is down this evening. No iDisk, no mac.com e-mail, no homepage, nada. Maybe because I decided to pay Apple $49 for it just yesterday?

joed

Sep 28, 2002, 10:10 PM

I'm having the same problem with my .mac.

Ever since I installed iSync and clicked 'register', my email, iDisk etc all don't work.

Just gone to Apple discussions and some people seem to be having the same problem.

James.

theranch

Sep 28, 2002, 10:49 PM

Originally posted by ninkasi
FYI Amazon has the T68i for $50 after the silly rebates. That proved to be too tempting for this person shopping for a new phone. Should have it in about a week!

That's great. That's an expensive phone otherwise.

mc68k

Sep 28, 2002, 11:43 PM

Great results here. I'm glad to not have to manually export/drag/drop my contacts/calenders anymore.

The interface is very pretty and simplistic. Go Apple.

DannyZR2

Sep 29, 2002, 12:46 AM

very sad... i don't read anything about syncing with newton...

Nipsy

Sep 29, 2002, 01:57 AM

I'm happily impressed.

I have acheived perfect parity between iPod, 2 Macs, and Palm in a mater of 10 minutes, with little intervention.

I have a few sporadic errors with the Palm conduit, but I'm sure these will be addressed as we all volunteer QA the 'Public Beta'.

AngusB

Sep 29, 2002, 10:40 AM

Ok, normally I am at least somewhat swift with gadgets, but I can't get my wife's palm to sync to the I-mac. I tried following the help instructions, but it tells me to push buttons that don't exist...

Any help out there, how to I get hotsync manager to talk to ISync?

AngusB

AngusB

Sep 29, 2002, 10:43 AM

No worried mates, I proved myself the idiot I am by finally seeing what d$mn button they were talking about...

Angusb

blankcell

Sep 29, 2002, 11:27 AM

Originally posted by blakespot
How curious. Have a look at iSync (http://www.mmddyy.com/en/General/Download.jsp?name=download) for PC.
I'm predicting a lawsuit.

gandalf55

Sep 29, 2002, 12:55 PM

iSync is a great little application. No question & no problems found here... I wish I didn't need to have a .Mac account to sync across my LAN in my house though... but for FREE, this is simply sweet!

gmapes

Sep 29, 2002, 12:55 PM

ISYNC does not sync notes, memos, or categorize todo's? What good is syncing if it only supports address and calander events.

This is not a business app! If it was intented to support palm devices then why don't they support the PIM features of PALM. Even Pocket PC devices sync with active sync, make sure toso and notes are in sync!

the whole purpose of a syncing solution is to carry all your info with you when not in office.

What really needs to happen is a complete solution and an apple software solution for Palm that works with Palm and adds newton message pad capabilities like note pad solutions and handwritting solutions. Then a sync that allows info both ways complete with categories would be a hit!

I was waiting to see what Isync had to offer before I purchased a new pc or mac. What happened to all the apple products that have been promised to us. The last couple of showes Apple execs promised a lot of new (new) and excititing products??

In my opinion they only have to End of OCT to come out with a pda/ipone/iwalk device.

Oh by the way do you really think that an IPOD device as it is today is a PDA replacement? What about data entry? IPOD is for music not PDA. I have used the calander and contacts apps on the ipod! You have to be crazy if you think that that would work in a practacle situation. Maybe for students...

Iphone maybe a softeare application and not hardware? Just a thought.

evilpenguin21

Sep 29, 2002, 01:28 PM

I'd like to report the first official iPod hosing on the board. I just synced up and my iPod became unmountable :) I'm gonna try it a few more times, so be weary people.

zimv20

Sep 29, 2002, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by gmapes
ISYNC does not sync notes, memos, or categorize todo's? What good is syncing if it only supports address and calander events.

This is not a business app![chomp]

*yawn*

it's free BETA software.

go buy your PC. and some kleenex to cry into when you're in driver hell.

d00d

Sep 29, 2002, 03:10 PM

Has anyone noticed that Custom Fields in the Palm aren't synced to the Address Book? This seems like a huge failing. I guess I'll stick with Entourage and use my Palm to sync between my two computers. There doesn't seem to be any mention of this problem.

skunk

Sep 29, 2002, 05:51 PM

Well actually there IS a thread about that on Apple's iSync FAQ section....

buffsldr

Sep 29, 2002, 07:13 PM

Okay, i am having problems getting my palm to sync. iSync shows my ipod, palm (m100 connected via a keyspan usb-serial adaptor).

I press sync and isync tells me to press the hotsync button on my palm. i do this and the hotsync starts just fine, but the isync just sits there and stares at me. i have two buttons to choose from, "dont show me this message again" and "continue without palms". that is not helpful. I press continue without palm and it does just that.

how in the world do i get my palm to sync.

skunk

Sep 29, 2002, 07:53 PM

At the risk of repeating myself, there is a lot of stuff over at Apple discussions about this. Check the iSync FAQs "Read Before You Install iSync Palm Conduit (beta)".

e-coli

Sep 29, 2002, 11:34 PM

well....iSync said it was putting my "to do" list on my iPod...but I sure don't see it anywhere.

hmm.... :confused:

Unicron

Sep 30, 2002, 05:54 AM

The Sony /Ericsson p800 phone is the closest thing to Apple's iPhone I've seen. PDA/Camera/Phone with Bluetooth!
http://www.sonyericsson.com/P800/

the Nokia 7650 is pretty slick too
http://www.nokia.com/phones/7650/

telecine

Sep 30, 2002, 07:36 AM

I've had the Nokia 7650 (I'm in the UK) for a few weeks now and can confirm it is a fantastic phone. It does everything it says on the tin and the pictures (640x480) are great, especially in low light.

Hopefully the Sony Ericcson p800 will live up to the hype....
The specs for it arent a million miles from the nokia (apart from superior memory size) and...oh dear... the camera lens doesn't appear to have a cover...not clever!

mcrain

Sep 30, 2002, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by telecine
I've had the Nokia 7650 (I'm in the UK) for a few weeks now and can confirm it is a fantastic phone. It does everything it says on the tin and the pictures (640x480) are great, especially in low light.

Hopefully the Sony Ericcson p800 will live up to the hype....
The specs for it arent a million miles from the nokia (apart from superior memory size) and...oh dear... the camera lens doesn't appear to have a cover...not clever!

I wanted the Sony p800, but you say it has no cover on the lens? Does the Nokia? The Nokia site says it has memory for "dozens" of pics. How many really? Are they good pictures, and can you sync them over to your computer?

Sorry for all the questions, but I want a phone like the 7650 or p800.

telecine

Sep 30, 2002, 09:55 AM

the nokia slides open to reveal the keyboard and the lens... nice!
it is a better phone then the t68 (for starters on the sony you have to add the camera 'attachment' on the bottom to (a) take pics and (b) edit/view the pics, as they are stored in the 'attachment'...rubbish!

my sites got some pics if you want a look.

http://www.peterlynch.org

There's about 3.5 Megs space for pics/emails on the phone. Plenty of room as a 'full res' one is about 35k. I usually dump to computer when I've got 50+ images.

@ the moment I am using the nokia pc suite form the 7650 and virtual pc via infra red on my powerbook, which is like wading through treakle. I'm waiting to see if iSync supports the 7650 before spending another $50 on a bluetooth adaptor for my Powerbook.

Unicron

Sep 30, 2002, 10:12 AM

seems like what all these phones need is a flash! The 640x480VGA resolution is fine for phone use and quick sending. It certainly won't replace a dedicated digicam, but then it's not meant to.

Originally posted by telecine
the nokia slides open to reveal the keyboard and the lens... nice!
it is a better phone then the t68 (for starters on the sony you have to add the camera 'attachment' on the bottom to (a) take pics and (b) edit/view the pics, as they are stored in the 'attachment'...rubbish!

my sites got some pics if you want a look.

http://www.peterlynch.org

There's about 3.5 Megs space for pics/emails on the phone. Plenty of room as a 'full res' one is about 35k. I usually dump to computer when I've got 50+ images.

@ the moment I am using the nokia pc suite form the 7650 and virtual pc via infra red on my powerbook, which is like wading through treakle. I'm waiting to see if iSync supports the 7650 before spending another $50 on a bluetooth adaptor for my Powerbook.

telecine

Sep 30, 2002, 10:18 AM

the whole point of the camera is that it is totally discreet. a flash would be idiotic.

skunk

Sep 30, 2002, 10:29 AM

I'm sorry, but if those pictures are representative, I don't see the point.:confused: :(

Edot

Sep 30, 2002, 10:29 AM

Just a reminder to make sure you guys let apple know about these things. They are the ones who can give us what we want. They are have been really good at listening to their customers, so send them some constructive comments about iSync. They have provided for their customers in the past.

Happy Discussions!

telecine

Sep 30, 2002, 10:36 AM

i remember when orange introduced a digital cellphone network to the uk in the mid nineties, we quickly discovered text messaging (which was free for several years). I remember how many people scoffed at the time as we tapped messages madly to each other. They said...' whats the point' , 'its too difficult' and other such rubbish..

Well several years on it's texting that generates most of the revenue in Europe for the cell telcoms.

My 'whats the point?' cameraphone is never going to 35mm. It's something completely different.

Wise Up!

Unicron

Sep 30, 2002, 11:13 AM

The whole point it to make communication fun. You are talking to your significant other, you are at the grocery store chatting, you can take a pic of two cuts of meat... what do you feel like eating?

What if you are meeting a someone for a drink at the place neither of you have been to? Once you arrive, you can send him/her a shot of what it looks like on the outside.

What if you want to get an estimate for some body work on your car? You can send the mechanic shots of your car. Or take your phone into the shop with you.

What if a friend of yours is trying to find your house, but lost directions? Scribble a map on piece of paper and send it to his/her phone!

The whole point it to have everything in one super small, portable device that you always have on your person. I'm not going to drag around my $800 Canon G2 to the mall -- plus a laptop and a wireless modem. But I WILL have my phone always with me.

There are a ton of other examples where a voice cannot communicate what a picture can.

Originally posted by skunk
I'm sorry, but if those pictures are representative, I don't see the point.:confused: :(

telecine

Sep 30, 2002, 11:23 AM

.....and i can email that picture (or a bunch of them) effortlessly in seconds from my phone. beautiful!

Foocha

Sep 30, 2002, 04:37 PM

The stats I've seen indicate that European Mobile operations derive 10% of their revenues from Text messaging - sure it's big, but it's hardly the majority of their business!

telecine

Sep 30, 2002, 04:45 PM

Originally posted by Foocha
The stats I've seen indicate that European Mobile operations derive 10% of their revenues from Text messaging - sure it's big, but it's hardly the majority of their business!

They regard it as a very important part of their revenue and picture messaging is an extension of this.