The Missing Sync for Windows Released 74
by Dieter Bohn Fri, 25 Sep 2009 4:03 pm EDT
The Missing Sync for Windows is out of that technical trial and fully released. Like your Mac-brethen, you Windows folks can now get your direct, USB-based (and occasional WiFi) sync on. iTunes, Windows Media Player, contacts, photos, movies, bookmarks, podcasts, ringtones, files... it syncs a lot.
Outlook integration isn't 100% yet, however, calendars is just one way (PC-> Pre), but Mark/Space will release a free update sometime soon that will bring that up to speed as well.
You're looking at dropping a cool $39.95 for the experience, but the ability to use proximity sync might just impress your friends enough to make it worth it. Also: you may need friends with more diverse interests. Just saying.
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74 Comments
Is calendar sync "one day" or "one way"?
fixed. I swear to god I getting some form of aphasia that causes boneheaded typos today.
It could be worse. If you're going to have typos, at least let them be fun ones like typing "one day" instead of "one way." That's much better than a random "j" or "q" winding up in a word somewhere. :)
See what 1.2 release stress can do :)
"I getting" ?
Nothin' better than making a typo about making a typo
No worries, you can make all the "Bohnheaded" typos you want, we'll still respect ya' :-)
wow 39.95? For something Palm should have included free to begin with and still needs updates to be fully functinal?
I am sure there are people who will flock to get it, at any cost, because its such a needed function for many, but wow that seems really steep.
You have to remember that the developers are primarily mac developers. They are used to ripping people off. I think they will be in for a surprise when literally nobody buys this thing.
It's the same price as a friggen touchstone, and I already thought those were overpriced.
Free Google stuff has really spoiled you guys.
Maybe you need a free phone with a free carrier contract and free Wi-Fi. Then you wouldn't have to deal with the trauma of paid software.
No Tom, he's a Palm-loyal, not a Pre-loyal. Palm devices always featured forwards and often backwards compatibility between devices for PIM data. And yes, it was free, in fact, it was the number one selling point for Palm devices and the reason Palm lived long enough to "invent" the Pre. Cloud based stuff is nice, but it cant replace the local based data synch for professionals that must have secured data management.
Right now, there are hundreds if not thousands of hackers in Nigeria, Belarius and China, trying to hack into the Google and Palm servers to steal data. Maybe they'll find my Aunt's phone number, maybe they'll discover the wire transfer protocol and broker DTC codes for the fund manager on Wall Street that keeps your 401k portfolio growing.
The Palm that the Palm-loyal know, IS DEAD. The Palm assets and infrastructure now produce devices with more in common with the iPhone than Palm's former products. The real Palm would have never left its loyal customers without synch support, so the new Palm will shadow Apple rather than RIM.
Yes, synch should be free, but not from 3rd party sources. Palm has the resources, the know how, to make a WebOS based local synch, but unfortunately, those resources are too busy busting the iTunes change and creating an app that shoots video with the Pre's camera.
Acess developed a full PalmOS Garnet emulator for linux and gave it away for free to Nokia tablet users. Why isn't this thing available for the Pre?
Nicely put.
You think $40 is expensive? Dude this is a complex device that takes PEOPLE, not fairies to provide software for. You think this should have been included free with the phone? Why? It's not a necessary tool to for the phone to be functional. It's a matter of convenience, not necessity, so why not charge for it? The real world doesn't operate like Limewire buddy!
Thankfully, no, this is not LAMEwire. However, the Pre carries the Palm name. It should never offer less than its Palm predecessors, yet it does.
The call it "Pre" because it is the Prequel to the Treo. The Trio fused a phone, with an internet appliance and a PC synchable PDA. It could do everything with integrity.
The Pre is a sub grade phone, excellent internet appliance and an unsecure PDA that won't synch to a desktop. I carry a PDA with my Pre, so I can stay organized without sharing my secrets with strangers I can't see.
You mention WiMP; does that mean we'll have WMA capabilities on the Pre?
I'll give them credit for chuzpah. $40 for something that doesn't even do calendar sync? And no, one way copy isn't sync, it's backup. In this case, without restore. Absurd.
Yea, i'm not willing to drop a dollar for any freaking sync option...this is something that is a mandatory for smartphones. never have i heard of a smartphone not having sync options. Bad bad PLAM!!!
For Contact and Calendar, can you use the "Palm Profile" account , or do you need to create a new account for this and retype in all your data into this new account (like Echo works)?
Check the web pages. It loads PIM data from your Mac or PC into separate account just for Missing Sync.
I wonder how long its going to take for The Missing Sync torrent to leak out. Haha. Na seriously Palm where is our update at?
$40 for something that should be free? This is crazy. Never had to buy a freaking sync program for windows mobile phones and don't see why this was not included with the PRE to begin with. Sorry , but I will keep using google as painful as it may be.
These people are crazy if they think I am going to buy without trying it first. Where is the trial? Maybe that is how it works in "Mac World" but it does not work that way in the real world.
Can anyone tell me if I will ever be able to sync Contacts, Calendar, Notes, and Tasks with Outlook? I was amazed when I bought my Pre that this was not part of the package.
$40 and it still can't friggin sync Tasks and Notes?????
When did everyone just decide that these two basic
PIM functions shouldn't exist any more?
As far as I'm concerned, the missing Sync is still missing.
I went ahead and bought it in beta last week for $30. This was after I had swallowed my pride philosophically and did a trial run on Chapura Pocket Mirror, which failed miserably. Agreed, I'm pretty chapped it didn't come with the Pre to begin with, but after finding myself out of carrier or wifi range and not being able to read my calendar, I realized it was this or go back to a pen&paper week at a glance planner, which served me well for 15 years before the whole PDA thing.
At least the Mark Space app does what it advertises. Right now I'm only using it for the calendar. It's still not that snappy, but I blame the Pre interface for that, at least I can reliably get to the data. I still have my old Palm TX, which I charged and fired up the other day for reference, and it almost made me cry. Came on instantly. Snapped through calendar pages, instantly. No slipping and sliding, just bam bam, information right away.
If it weren't for the phone and web functionality of the Pre, I would go back in a heartbeat. Oh yeah, the TX plays AVI's, too. Those were the days.
1) Too expensive
2) No Linux version
Honestly, if someone came out with a Linux-supporting full desktop sync -- that backed up EVERYTHING on my Pre preferably by USB -- I would be willing to pay a pretty penny for it. And by everything, I mean that I should be able to buy a new Pre, sync it to my desktop sync, and have EVERYTHING restored:
All Applications
All application data
All configuration settings
That is what I am used to from my previous Palms (not smartphones, just normal Palms). That is what I expect to eventually get from the Pre, preferably from Palm but if necessary from a 3rd party.
If my phone dies or is lost, I should be able to trivially restore everything onto a new phone -- in one painless operation. Every Palm I have owned before the Pre had this. The Pre should also have this.
Yep- I know what you mean. I had been using Palm smartphones since they first come out. For many years I have used Linux Jpilot. One click and I had *everything* (apps, data, even the phone system) backed up in one place *PLUS* the ability to edit and sync contacts, calendar, notes, etc; AND the ability to transfer other files and install applications. Kpilot could too (although I am old-skool, so I stuck with Jpilot).
Although the "cloud" concept of the Pre is nice, I really miss the all-in-one backup assurance and editing ability of PalmOS.
Watch there still dumb a**es out there thats going to buy it. I hope they read what people are saying and get the hint. I see if they started out at 5 dollars or something. For the people thats making apps yall getting rip off. if they can charge 40 dollars for that crap.
I have come to the conclusion that palm/devolpers have decided to go the route of the razor and blade principle of selling software to the masses. The idea that you should receive software that you have experienced in smartphone techonolgy will no longer be included. You must pay extra to get things you have gotten free in the past. The apps are the new blades of the 21st century. I expected much more from Palm, I expected an upgrade and I got was half-ass capable functions. And to let you know I came from the Palm Centro so I know the many missing functions of the Pre'
I have come to the conclusion that palm/devolpers have decided to go the route of the razor and blade principle of selling software to the masses. The idea that you should receive software that you have experienced in smartphone techonolgy will no longer be included. You must pay extra to get things you have gotten free in the past. The apps are the new blades of the 21st century. I expected much more from Palm, I expected an upgrade and I got was half-ass capable functions. And to let you know I came from the Palm Centro so I know the many missing functions of the Pre'
Those guys aren't doing a great gob but No way am I going to pay $40 for something that should be included with my pre. Palm I'm waiting. Its like getting a digital camera, mp3, printer, pda with no software. This is a smartphone isn't it?
You have lost your phucking mind! What phone have you ever bought that came with a computer CD?! This is WEBOS!! Everything that you need a computer to sync, you can do ON THE PHONE!! This program is only for people who have home-offices where they manage such data on their home PC/mac. If you work in an office all the syncing is done automatically via your network server to your Pre! Get your damn panties out of your ass and start being realistic! If every company gave you every convenient accessory, free, for every device that they sold, they would all be bankrupt!
Every Palm smartphone and every other Palm (non phones) before this one would sync with the desktop, and that functionality came included. It was a shock to me that the Palm Pre did not sync to the desktop like every single other Palm, ever, before this one. It's not an unreasonable expectation. It's not a crazy request. It's a genuine surprise that for the first time ever, there's a Palm that does not sync to the desktop.
Maybe people who never owned a Palm before don't consider this a surprise.
And you're missing part of what people want sync for. Syncing my Tungsten T3 to my desktop provided two functions:
It allowed me to view and work with my private data on my home computer without anyone else ever getting a copy of my data, and
It provided an invaluable backup for such a portable device. If my handheld was ever lost or stolen or just dropped and broken, I could trivially make an exact replicate of it by buying a new device and syncing it. All of my applications, data, settings, all restored. Everything. 100%. EVERYTHING.
I am not comfortable with the fact that the data from many of my applications is not being backed up. If my Pre breaks, I have to re-enter a lot of data. OK, the Calendar and some other apps will be restored from "backup in the cloud." But I have some other apps with critical data that aren't part of that backup. With desktop sync, *EVERYTHING* was backed up.
Eco, it doesn take much to figure out who on this forum is a doctor, attorney, stock broker or a pizza delivery boy. Now put on your name tag and get to work. I'm hungry.
mmm, pizza!
ALL of my Palm phones prior to the Pre came with "a computer CD".
My Treos came with a CD. And no, I can't sync memos or to-do lists over "WEBOS!!". Heck, I can't sync my calendar without totally re-working it because Pre doesn't support categories, only multiple calendars.
Those guys aren't doing a great gob but No way am I going to pay $40 for something that should be included with my pre. Palm I'm waiting. Its like getting a digital camera, mp3, printer, pda with no software. This is a smartphone isn't it?
I've already paid for CompanionLink software and it's working quite nicely, thank you very much; therefore, I don't have a reason to buy "Missing Sync," i.e., the sync is not missing!
CompanionLink also syncs automatically without hooking up a cable. If I want to "sync" photos, music, or files, I still have to hook up the cable, of course, but the everyday syncing of Outlook calendar and contacts (both ways) is something I don't have to think about. I can still use iTunes because I have not upgraded.
I would like to have more stuff synced such as bookmarks, though--are you listening CompanionLink?!
Maybe I'm missing something here, but I'm content for now.
Listening yes!
I will not get this software until I can sync Tasks in Outlook. Why can I not find anyway to get this done. I can't even figure out a way by using Outlook and Google sync.
You can't find anyway to get it done, because there is no way to do it right now. You can easily just input the tasks in to your phone manually, the same way you manually input them into Outlook... by typing. Or maybe you would rather just whine all day about any small thing you can.
Hey eco, grow up. Just you don't "get it", doesn't give you the right to jump down people's throats, when they complain about a feature set being missing from a device, that had come standard on every previous device the company had ever made to date.
...and if you ever spoke to me, in person, the way you respond to others here, well, let's just say, you'd learn to be more respectful of others and their differing opinions and views.
...now, where's that pizza?! ;-)
Those guys aren't doing a great gob but No way am I going to pay $40 for something that should be included with my pre. Palm I'm waiting. Its like getting a digital camera, mp3, printer, pda with no software. This is a smartphone isn't it?
Most people with smart phones are people who embrace technology and its advancements. But most of you sound like my 89 year old grandmother. Who needs indoor plumbing with a good two holer in the back yard, whats a computer, whats cable!
People whether you like it or not the cloud will be the future, get used to it. If you did any kind of research about the phone, you would have known that it sync'd through the cloud, and that NO SYNCING SOFTWARE WOULD BE PROVIDED! Quite frankly its been easier than Hot Sync or Active Sync ever was. As for the $39.99, good for Mark Space. Whats wrong with a programmer recouping his investment, and making a living? If you visit his site they clearly state that you will get FREE upgrades that include two way sync, tasks, and notes once they are available. If you don't want to pay $40 great don't pay it, but shut up!!!
My 3 year old whines less than most of the people on this site!
Amen brotha.
Most people have absolutely NO idea about the blood/sweat/tears that go into creating good software.
Why so hostile? And why can't you understand that your needs do not reflect the needs of everyone? Good grief. So many people who are posting here assume that their needs define everyone else's needs.
Yes, I agree, there's a lot of whining going on. Some of it is reasonable, a lot of it is not. We are in partial agreement. It's the hostility that I don't get.
I am not comfortable with backup-in-the-cloud. Why?
http://www.engadget.com/2005/02/20/paris-hiltons-hacked-sidekick-release...
That's but one example. If my data is in the cloud, it is vulnerable to attacks that it wouldn't be subject to on my home computer. My address book? Not a big deal. However, many professionals have data on their handheld that is not public and should not become public. Many individuals have personal or private data on their handhelds that deserves to be private.
There is a valid purpose for desktop sync in the place of sync-to-the-cloud. Not everyone has this need. Perhaps only a subset of users care about this. But it's irrational to say that everyone uncomfortable with sync-to-the-cloud-of-all-data is a Luddite.
And is backup-to-the-cloud the future? That is not determined yet. Many companies are pushing for cloud computing to be the standard model, but not because it's intrinsically superior; because they profit by it. Nothing evil there. The market as a whole will decide if cloud computing will become the end-all-be-all, or whether it will become a large and important niche.
If your uncomfortable syncing with the cloud great. All I'm saying is don't buy a handheld that clearly states its going to sync with the CLOUD, and then whine to everyone that it doesn't sync directly to your desktop. Palm was very specific about how and what it would sync to. I don't believe I'm being hostile, I'm just tired of hearing people cry over issues that a little research would have prevented. I'm also sick of the negativity. I have had zero issues with the phone, I would love Docs to Go, but also realized I would have to be PATIENT an wait for it to be released.
I bought a handheld that clearly stated it would sync with the cloud KNOWING that 3rd parties would fill this gap if Palm didn't later fill the gap. It's such a big and obvious gap that I had no question but that someone or multiple someones would fill the gap. And as you can see, it's happening. I'm not complaining about the price or that the software isn't perfect yet or that "it's not on my schedule," etc.
I'm not whining. If you're responding to others' posts when you're talking about whining, fine. If you're responding to mine, then I challenge you to point out anywhere where I'm whining.
Give it up ekuns, GoSteelers doesnt have anything worth hacking in the cloud (or if he does, he doesnt know enough to care). He maybe a hacker trying to get pro's to trust the cloud. His real name might be GoStealers.
I'm with you. Yes, Pre was offering cloud on day one, we knew that. But Classic was suppose to deliver a lot for the $30, and they came up very short. I trusted them to bring back functionality, but they took the money and ran. They wont develop it any further now that more capable apps are out there. Time to consider Symbian or other alternatives. Palm as we knew it, is resting in peace.
I understood that the makers of Classic were still working on updates to it, for example, getting desktop sync to work from within Classic. They haven't taken the money and run.
Classic will include WiFi & Bluetooth sync to the desktop application. It will be rolled out with the next webOS update.
Ekuns I have no bone with you, unfortunately I replied in the wrong spot. Quite frankly I don't have a bone with anybody, just tired of the whining and the lack of simple research put into a purchase.
As for PreDogs, if that is your real name. I'm smart enough to understand that nothing on the net, and especially the cloud is close to being secure. Hackers will always try to exploit any crack available, and I also realize a phone can be stolen and hacked into. As a result I try to keep anything worth hacking off my portable device, as well as confidential customer information.
we need a pirated verison of this
Yeah that's a brilliant statement. How bout you just toss us all your SS# and a few credit card and bank account #'s so we can pirate those. I'm sure thinking like this is why they charge $39.99 for apps.
Just because it is too expensive, has missing functions, and doesn't run on all major platforms, that doesn't give you the right to "steal" it. Period.
No, we don't. And if you actually wish quality software to be created and to continue to exist for the Palm Pre, you won't pirate any of it. People who pirate software have no right to complain how much software costs, because they are part of the cause of software being more expensive than it otherwise would be.
You are not entitled to software, just because you want it.
Too expensive and where is the trial version? $40 IS A LOT TO PAY FOR SOFTWARE THAT DOESN'T DO QUITE WHAT YOU NEED IT TO DO!
EXTRACLASS
Then don't buy it! I do agree they should have a trial, but please stop bitching about it!
If it doesn't do what you need, then don't buy it. Very simple. No-one is forcing you to use or buy this software. It's like you're angry that a car company didn't make a car model that fits your needs. Well, then use another model that does!
To the folks who continue with the lame-old canard of "love it or leave it" mentality, you have obvioulsy missed the point. Most users on here have had a good idea of smartphone technology and all it's capabilities. We've had it before and know what the taste of convenience means in synchronization and other basic features enjoyed on other Palm phones.
To have those features omitted by Palm is disappointing at the least. The fact that the Pre doesn't have this feature, shouldn't mean I have to fork over more money on something that is a basic feature in all their other Palm phones.
This is a huge stumbler for Palm and no one at Palm or the various sycophants here have the guts to admit it.
How do you push out a phone to the market with half-ass software you had fully in all other phones you have marketed in the past???????? And then have the gall to call it an upgrade?
Hence, my idea that the razor/blade business principle is going swimmingly. So get those credit cards out, 'cause you gonna pay up for what should have been included.
You have obviously missed my point! If you think me a Palm sycophant, then you haven't paid attention to everything I'm saying. I am one of those that misses desktop sync. But it's not the responsibility of a third party to provide this missing Pre feature for free, or for cheap. They also have to work within the confines of the published API.
For people to be angry at this third party that is trying to provide what Palm left out ... is silly. You are aware that Mark/Space (the creator of "The Missing Sync") is not a part of Palm, correct? It's in that light that I replied. People angry at Mark/Space are angry at the wrong party.
Dude you completely missed the point when you bought the phone. IT NEVER WAS GOING TO HAVE FIRST PARTY DIRECT DESKTOP SYNC! EVER! Palm could not have been any clearer. It is your fault for not researching the phone more thoroughly, period, end of story!
I hate to tell you but the days of free or preinstalled software are over. Don't be upset with the developers or manufacturers, be upset with the numb nuts a couple of posts up that wanted a pirated version of the software. It's because of boneheads like him that those services are no longer provided or economically feasible.
HotSync wasn't "free or preinstalled software" - it was a core, ingrained feature of Palms. Numerous people who use Palm products and then tried a Palm found out the hard way it didn't sync, and were shocked. "It's a PALM... why doesn't it sync??" I've heard. That it isn't included is baffling. It is not mention in product advertising or descriptions at the store that this product WON'T sync. Anyone expecting a Palm product will be disappointed. As an earlier poster wrote, the Palm of yore is dead (unfortunately. Bring back Jeff Hawkins's creativity and ingenuity, please!)
I'm sorry but things change, and the consumers lack of preparation and research is not the fault of palm. They had repeatedly stated that it would not have desktop sync, and that it would show up as a USB drive for dragging and dropping of files and folders.
I realize my opinion wont be the same as most of you posting. But quite frankly this has been easier than Hot Sync or Active Sync ever was. I use ACT for contact management, Companionlink sync's with Google, and the changes sync in a timely manner without errors. I knew ahead of time that I would need Companionlink, because I can read and I researched it. As for security issues....welcome to 2009! Nothing is 100% secure, including your home PC. I would never put anything overtly critical on a handheld, irregardless of whether it sync's with my home PC or Google.
People is funny. Asking people to stop bitching bout over price software, how bout yall stop bitching about the people thats bitching. Like they said $40 is to much. they could started a little lower. let people know what there working with.
What synch am I missing?
My contacts and calender are backed up on the cloud.
Picasa sucks in any new pics via USB.
And WMP handles .mp3s.
What else would I have to backup?
You have no data in any of your applications other than the Palm applications? I'm not talking configuration settings, but data.
Notes
Tasks
Bookmarks
HB apps themselves
Most app settings
Most app data such as saved passwords and gps waypoints and such depending on what apps are installed.
Game levels passed
Playlists for other media players
Etc...
And both of you missed apps, themselves. From what I understand, the "cloud" backups don't backup ANYTHING on the usbstorage side (music, videos, etc), no phone configuration settings, nor any *applications*.
Imagine losing every homebrew you installed, along with all THEIR settings and configuration. Can you remember everything you installed and how? Can you still get some of the older programs that are not in the repos?
PalmOS syncs backed up *everything*, even the Sprint-specific phone stuff was backed up.
Pretty sure that's what I meant by
HB apps themselves.
40 bucks too much for what i can do for free now.. give me tasks and notes and two way sync with calender and i will consider it.
This argument slays me. First we have the completely elitist and condescending attitude that if we aren't doctors, lawyers, or stockbrokers, we have no information worth hacking.
Second is the complete sense of entitlement. Desktop sync used to come with Palms. It was never just "included" though, the cost of the software was added into the device. I suppose they could have done that again, but instead they chose to separate it out, and let those that needed the functionality pay for it, while not subsidizing it by charging everyone.
Third is the amazing, and completely wrongheaded notion that because your data is synced with a Windows desktop and Outlook, the two most compromised programs that have likely ever existed, it is more 'secure' than it is on Google's or Palm's servers. Paris Hilton had her Sidekick hacked, and the guy did it by hacking T-Mobile, the cell provider. I got news for you, that could still happen, and syncing with Outlook on your desktop wouldn't stop someone from getting your info in exactly the same way, by hacking the Sprint network, and reading it directly off your phone, which is what happened to Paris.
The entire point of the Pre, and most new web-enabled, superconnected mobile phones is just that, to be connected and having access to your data, any time, anywhere. If you want the desktop sync, buy it. I will. But that is my choice, and I shouldn't have to help you pay for yours.