Filed under: Software, Video, Internet Tools
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)
Alex said 11:46AM on 4-22-2008
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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pdiddy said 11:49AM on 4-22-2008
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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Pat Dryburgh said 12:52PM on 4-22-2008
That would be great, but I agree with pdiddy.
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Yaphi said 1:12PM on 4-22-2008
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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Jason Rudolph said 1:16PM on 4-22-2008
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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Wayne Schulz said 2:15PM on 4-22-2008
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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Phil Bowell said 5:04PM on 4-22-2008
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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Ivan said 5:00AM on 4-23-2008
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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mtfootfun said 12:45AM on 4-27-2008
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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Steve said 5:13PM on 5-02-2008
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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