Filed under: Software, Beta Beat, .Mac
Beta Beat: fruux keeps you in sync
One of the most frequent questions we hear from readers on our Ask TUAW posts (and for our doting Aunt TUAW) is a simple one, with no simple answer: "How can I replace the synchronization features of MobileMe with a free service or a software package that doesn't cost me $99 a year?" We feel your pain.For anyone looking to cut their cash outlay and maintain multi-Mac data sync, there are options for calendaring (BusySync, Google's CalDAV support) and some for address books (address-o-sync, or the free Google & Yahoo sync in Leopard's Address Book), and some products that handle both calendars and contacts (SpanningSync, Plaxo) -- but if you're in the mood for a free all-in-one approach, you may want to check out a promising beta service from a team of European developers: fruux.
Starting with address book sync in earlier versions, fruux has now progressed to include calendar, task and bookmark sync via Apple's built-in apps (Address Book, iCal & Safari) and a cloud service that stores the synchronized data. The system pref pane interface is no-frills and the product is definitely still a work in progress (there are prominent warnings to back up your data beforehand and frequently thereafter), so it may not suit your needs just yet -- but it's definitely one to watch. Future roadmap plans include an iPhone client and a web interface to your PIM data.
Thanks Dominik, Hagen & everyone who sent this in.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hagen said 9:09AM on 10-08-2008
Thanks Hagen!
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XabiK said 10:17AM on 10-08-2008
Just my 2 cents:
This soft won't make to the iPhone... it duplicates MobileMe functionality!
(I see it on my crystal ball)
Please keep us informed about it:
P.S.: sorry for my english, it's not my native tongue
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Joshua Baker said 10:41AM on 10-08-2008
Fingers are crossed that this is not the case.
Lustigson said 10:32AM on 10-08-2008
I have to say I'm more than happy to fork out € 79 for the MobileMe services. I've hardly had any problems with syncing and love being able to read and send e-mail on my iPhone, iMac, iBook or through the web client. Only 'problem' I have is that I'd like to use my own domain in stead of the me.com address.
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JuniHH said 10:46AM on 10-08-2008
From some time i'm using Plaxo. The system form Plaxo is strong and free than this one.
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Sean said 10:54AM on 10-08-2008
This works Great!!! keeps my desktop and laptop in Sync, and on the same page!!! and Free!!
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Michael said 12:39PM on 10-08-2008
does any one know of a service to duplicate the photo sharing that mobileme does?
I don't mean like picasa or flickr which forces you to sign up plus has tons of questionable content...
Just curious, this is one reason I like me.com to share photos securely with family...
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Nate said 1:19PM on 10-08-2008
uh... MobileMe requires you to sign up to post photos to your account? Just like the other services: flickr, Facebook, picasa. All of which you can upload pictures to from the iPhone. None of them require guests to sign up to view photos and I'm not sure what questionable content you're talking about. These are all highly respected services.
Picasa would probably provide the most MobileMe-esc web interface. I use Facebook because most of my friends and family are up there.
King Fysel said 1:41PM on 10-08-2008
$99 a year. "We feel your pain."?!
Come on, that's 27 cents per day. You spend ten times that on your daily coffee. Skip one coffee every week and a half and it's paid for. Better yet, skip all the coffees and buy stocks while they're dirt cheap.
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Jash Sayani said 1:47PM on 10-08-2008
Read about it at Lifehacker. Its an awesome sync-solution...!
Waiting for iPhone version.....
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Jeffrey said 3:14PM on 10-08-2008
This may be useful software, but I REFUSE to buy software from ANYONE who shamelessly steals someone else's web design.
Compare http://www.fruux.com and http://macrabbit.com
fruux basically stole an entire Web sites design, and, worse, it's another Mac developer!
Despicable.
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Philipp said 5:27PM on 10-08-2008
I noticed those similarities, too - and asked them.
But seriously you are talking about "shamelessly stealing" which is pathetic.
Don't think that anyone would come to the conclusion that http://www.spiegel.de shamelessly stole http://www.sueddeutsche.de
(I am from germany, but I am sure you have examples in the US, too)
There is always a similar design.
They reacted very quickly to my mail and told me that they'll modify their design, but they also clearly stated that they didn't steal anything (which is true, when you look at their code and their graphics).
Ever heard of this thing called blogiquette? Your aggressive tone is seriously missplaced and if you really want to harm them, you should just not talk about them - no press = bad press. bad press = press. press = good press.
Besides that - you don't have to buy their software. It's free.
bill said 7:12PM on 10-08-2008
What i could really use is a way to sync iTunes on my two Macs and the PC at work.
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