SpanningSync 2 to include contacts in Google sync
Just last week we noted that BusySync 2, which adds Google calendar syncing to the iCal sync app, is now shipping. Another 2.0 would seem to be around the corner, as a post on the SpanningSync blog shows a video demo of Address Book -> Google contact synchronization coming in the next version of the utility.
While Plaxo and other tools are lining up to take on the contact sync challenge -- most sync only in one direction right now, although with the Google contacts API in play that's going to change -- it's nice to see SpanningSync picking up the torch on contacts as the competition on calendaring heats up.
[via ars technica]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-22-2008 @ 11:46AM
Alex said...
I wonder if the quick releases improve the quailty of the software? Anyway its nice to have this!
http://hacktheiphoneitouch.blogspot.com/2008/04/busysync-20-syncs-ical-with-google.html
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4-22-2008 @ 11:49AM
pdiddy said...
Sounds cool, but my first thought is that this would lead to a cluttering of my address book. GMail adds everyone single person I email to the GMail contacts. Even if I email a technical support address that I would only use one time.
This would lead to my Address Book getting populated with all these junk contacts right?
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4-22-2008 @ 12:52PM
Pat Dryburgh said...
That would be great, but I agree with pdiddy.
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4-22-2008 @ 1:12PM
Yaphi said...
It'd be nice if SpanningSync 1.0 worked first. I get constant hiccups having a desktop and a laptop syncing to gCal/iCal along with .mac
Contacts will be nice though.
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4-22-2008 @ 1:16PM
Jason Rudolph said...
Too bad SpanningSync has a server that sits in between your Mac and Google, which means that you have to trust SpanningSync with your Google login info *and* therefore trust them with your e-mail, your docs, your spreadsheets, your AdSense account, etc. No thanks.
Even if you buy the explanation in their FAQ...
http://spanningsync.com/faq.html
...wouldn't you rather install the occasional upgrade than trust them with your data? Considering that BusySync offers the same service *without* requiring you to trust your Google login credentials to a third party (i.e., BusySync allows your Mac to communicate *directly* with Google), why again would you choose SpanningSync?
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4-22-2008 @ 2:15PM
Wayne Schulz said...
Remind me again of why Research In Motion is able to charge $30-$40 per month for BES?
IMHO this eventually is a RIM - BES killer -- probably not right away because they're pretty deeply embedded in corporation infrastructure - but the 5 year outlook sure isn't that pretty...
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4-22-2008 @ 5:04PM
Phil Bowell said...
This would be good IF SpanningSync was a) reasonably priced and b) didn't use third party servers and spoke directly with Google. I'll wait for BusySync to add it, which they have already said they will begin working on now 2.0 is out.
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4-23-2008 @ 5:00AM
Ivan said...
Yup, BusySync is already working on on the contact sync feature. But it'll take a few months they said. I just hope they release it before SpanningSync does.
But the update from BusySync 2.0 to the one with contact sync will not be for free, according to the post in the google group.
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4-27-2008 @ 12:45AM
mtfootfun said...
This is great, but since the Google Contacts API got open up, is there a free Address Book Gmail Contacts bi-directional sync application out there?
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5-02-2008 @ 5:13PM
Steve said...
Well, I use Spanning Sync now and it works great for me. No issues whatsoever. I can't wait to try the contact sync feature, but I agree that, unless some type of filtering is added, Gmail could clutter up my Address Book and my iPhone pretty badly. The issue previously pointed out about the server sitting between your Mac and Google is also interesting. When both companies get their contacts products out the door, we'll see how they work.
Steve
http://www.iphonebysteve.com
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