Google announces Google Sync

#1 Marshalus on 09 Feb 2009 - 19:50

This is very interesting, and its a direct shot at Microsoft and Apple in terms of needing true Exchange, Windows Live or MobileMe to get push email on devices like the iPhone or Windows Mobile.

(5 replies) #2 simon360 on 09 Feb 2009 - 19:54

Argh, a month after I bought MobileMe, too.

#2.1 tehkubix on 09 Feb 2009 - 20:22

https://www.nuevasync.com/ has been prodiding this service for a while now. I've been using it without any problems. At a first glance, they both look like they do the exact same thing, but I think I will switch anyway just because I wouldn't have to rely on a 3rd party service.

#2.2 Marshalus on 09 Feb 2009 - 20:23

tehkubix said,

https://www.nuevasync.com/ has been prodiding this service for a while now. I've been using it without any problems. At a first glance, they both look like they do the exact same thing, but I think I will switch anyway just because I wouldn't have to rely on a 3rd party service.

I think nuevasync just does calendar, where as Google Sync does everything across many devices.

#2.3 Fonze on 09 Feb 2009 - 22:32

Marshalus said,

I think nuevasync just does calendar, where as Google Sync does everything across many devices.

Nuevasync does Calendar and Contacts, just like Google Sync and uses the same ActiveSync protocol. I'm going to switch over to Google Sync to test it out, but I have found no reason not to use Nuevasync.

#2.4 Marshalus on 09 Feb 2009 - 23:02

Fonze said,

Nuevasync does Calendar and Contacts, just like Google Sync and uses the same ActiveSync protocol. I'm going to switch over to Google Sync to test it out, but I have found no reason not to use Nuevasync.

You're right. I thought Google Sync did mail as well. Seems silly that it doesn't.

#2.5 Xero on 09 Feb 2009 - 23:34

MobileMe does much more than this. Plus I think it's a better service imo. Especially since Apple updated macs for push updates.

#3 +littleneutrino on 09 Feb 2009 - 19:59

Just tried it on the iphone and here is the issue i came across. Exactly how it said as soon as i did it. it erased all of my contacts (no big deal i backed them up) However, unlike how it is supposed to work. once i synced it did not bring in my contacts from my gmail account. It did absolutely nothing. once i put stuff back into it and synced it. it brought those contacts to my gmail contact list however it does not bring the data to the iphone. the calender features works great though.

#4 koppit on 09 Feb 2009 - 20:35

I use this on my blackberry - free wireless sync to my exchange server at work ..

#5 Critical Error on 09 Feb 2009 - 20:58

Can I sync email and task with this?

(2 replies) #6 MrA on 09 Feb 2009 - 21:00

The Sync service itself uses a Microsoft Exchange server in order to keep your data up to date.

Google Sync DOES NOT use an Exchange server. They've implemented the ActiveSync protocol, but there's no Exchange in sight.

#6.1 Marshalus on 09 Feb 2009 - 21:21

You're correct. The article was not worded correctly, I've modified it to better explain that it uses the ActiveSync protocol, which is typically provided by Exchange.

#6.2 Sam Symons Live on 09 Feb 2009 - 22:03

Marshalus said,

You're correct. The article was not worded correctly, I've modified it to better explain that it uses the ActiveSync protocol, which is typically provided by Exchange.

My bad, sorry. "Google Sync uses a Microsoft Exchange server to keep all of your contact and calendar data in sync over the air." I trusted Lifehacker :p

(1 reply) #7 raskren on 09 Feb 2009 - 21:49

A major limitation of this sync method is you can not sync with Outlook and Google Sync simultaneously. I don't see a way to include the Google Sync server in Outlook.

#7.1 Fonze on 09 Feb 2009 - 22:35

raskren said,

A major limitation of this sync method is you can not sync with Outlook and Google Sync simultaneously. I don't see a way to include the Google Sync server in Outlook.

You end up having to choose either Outlook or Google as your calendar repository. They have Google Calendar Sync for syncing between Outlook and Google Calendar. So, you could replicate your Google Calendar within Outlook, push your Outlook calendar out to Google, or do both.

#8 Marshalus on 09 Feb 2009 - 23:01

I just read over this all again, I thought this would sync your actual mail through push as well. I want that too

#9 C_Guy on 09 Feb 2009 - 23:19

The Sync service itself uses a Microsoft ActiveSync protocol

Shocking. Didn't Microsoft just announce a similar service?

Last edited by C_Guy on 09 Feb 2009 - 23:32

(1 reply) #10 necrosis on 10 Feb 2009 - 00:32

Probably just like Exchange Server. It only pushes the inbox folder, it completely takes over your calendar (can not have two calandars [google & work] sync, and its the same with contacts.

Because of these limitations I know a lot of people this is worthless for, including myself. Its imposable to fully make use of the sync features if you want to keep personal and work separate on the same phone.

EDIT: Humm. Apparently the iPhone flat out refuses to let you configure two exchange accounts. Again this is worthless. Sticking with google IMAP

Last edited by necrosis on 10 Feb 2009 - 00:38

#10.1 ermax on 10 Feb 2009 - 13:54

necrosis said,

Probably just like Exchange Server. It only pushes the inbox folder, it completely takes over your calendar (can not have two calandars [google & work] sync, and its the same with contacts.

Exchange isn't limited to just pushing the inbox. You can get push on any folder you want.

(1 reply) #11 Kojio on 10 Feb 2009 - 03:53

I use Google Sync on my Blackberry Curve, and I love it!

My only gripe is that Google Sync only works for the main calendar on my Google account. I have multiple calendars on my Google account, but only one of them will sync. Still, it pushes changes very quickly, and it allows me to ditch Microsoft Outlook. :-)

#11.1 Zonk on 10 Feb 2009 - 05:52

Kojio said,

I use Google Sync on my Blackberry Curve, and I love it!

My only gripe is that Google Sync only works for the main calendar on my Google account. I have multiple calendars on my Google account, but only one of them will sync. Still, it pushes changes very quickly, and it allows me to ditch Microsoft Outlook. :-)

Previously mentioned NuevaSync allows you to sync multiple Google Calendars.

#12 Mikeparkie on 10 Feb 2009 - 08:20

i find https://www.nuevasync.com/ supports larger pictures in contacts. i set full screen photos on all my contacts and these sync well with google. however if i use google sync then the contact photos are shrank to something silly like 150x150. has anyone else had this issue?

(1 reply) #13 highonsnow on 10 Feb 2009 - 12:55

I can't download it for my S60 Series phone... it won't give me a means to download it at all - over the phone it tells me to go to m.google.com/sync on my computer - and then that tells me to check it on my phone - vicious circle?

They're obviously faced with a bug I presume?

#13.1 highonsnow on 10 Feb 2009 - 12:57

My bad! I thought it was a download

Misunderstanding withdrawn

#14 deathwing23 on 26 Feb 2009 - 21:07

I'm using Outlook on my computer, using Calgoo to sync w/ google calendar (since google outlook sync only does the main calendar) and using the above mentioned method to sync my iPod touch with the google calendar. I like how (if push is enabled) new events created on the iPod are immediately pushed to the google calendar. It seems that this should be possible through Outlook as well (i.e., using m.google.com as an "exchange server" that Outlook connects to and having instantaneous calendar syncs rather than one sync ever X minutes). I know one option is just to ditch Outlook and use Google Calendar; however, my internet is shoddy sometimes and I want to be able to see the calendar on my computer if I'm offline. Does anyone think there's a way to configure outlook to do this?

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