ISync
Encyclopedia
iSync is a software application published by Apple Inc. It runs only under Mac OS X
and is used to synchronize contact and calendar data from Address Book and iCal
with many non-Apple SyncML
-enabled mobile phone
s via a Bluetooth
or USB connection. Support for many (pre-October 2007) devices is built-in, with newer devices being supported via manufacturer and third-party iSync Plugins. Support for Palm OS organizers and compatible smartphones was removed with the release of iSync 3.1 and Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. BlackBerry OS
, Palm OS
, and Windows Mobile
(Pocket PC
) devices cannot be used with iSync, but are supported by third-party applications. Before the release of Mac OS X 10.4, iSync could also synchronize a user's Safari
bookmarks with the MobileMe
subscription service provided by Apple.
Starting with Mac OS X 10.4, much of iSync's original syncing functionality has been moved into the Sync Services framework, which developers can use to incorporate synchronization into their own applications. iSync, however, retains responsibility for the setup, configuration and synchronising of supported mobile handsets. Since the release of iTunes 4.8, the user interface for synchronizing iPods has been delegated to iTunes
, although conflict-resolution and substantial changes to contact information (>5%) shows use of iSync. Synchronization with MobileMe
(previously .Mac) is now the domain of MobileMe Sync, accessible through a System Preferences
pane.
iSync was removed from Mac OS X in version 10.7 (Lion)
. . However since the underlying framework still exists in Lion, it's possible to restore the functionality of iSync using a 10.6 (Snow Leopard) installation or backup .
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
and is used to synchronize contact and calendar data from Address Book and iCal
ICal
iCal is a personal calendar application made by Apple Inc. that runs on the Mac OS X operating system. iCal was the first calendar application for Mac OS X to offer support for multiple calendars and the ability to publish/subscribe calendars to WebDAV server....
with many non-Apple SyncML
SyncML
SyncML is the former name for a platform-independent information synchronization standard. The project is currently referred to as Open Mobile Alliance Data Synchronization and Device Management...
-enabled mobile phone
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
s via a Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
or USB connection. Support for many (pre-October 2007) devices is built-in, with newer devices being supported via manufacturer and third-party iSync Plugins. Support for Palm OS organizers and compatible smartphones was removed with the release of iSync 3.1 and Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. BlackBerry OS
BlackBerry OS
BlackBerry OS is a proprietary mobile operating system, developed by Research In Motion for its BlackBerry line of smartphone handheld devices...
, Palm OS
Palm OS
Palm OS is a mobile operating system initially developed by Palm, Inc., for personal digital assistants in 1996. Palm OS is designed for ease of use with a touchscreen-based graphical user interface. It is provided with a suite of basic applications for personal information management...
, and Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft that was used in smartphones and Pocket PCs, but by 2011 was rarely supplied on new phones. The last version is "Windows Mobile 6.5.5"; it is superseded by Windows Phone, which does not run Windows Mobile software.Windows Mobile is...
(Pocket PC
Pocket PC
A Pocket PC is also known by Microsoft as a 'Windows Mobile Classic device'. It is a hardware specification for a handheld-sized computer, personal digital assistant , that runs the Microsoft 'Windows Mobile Classic' operating system...
) devices cannot be used with iSync, but are supported by third-party applications. Before the release of Mac OS X 10.4, iSync could also synchronize a user's Safari
Safari (web browser)
Safari is a web browser developed by Apple Inc. and included with the Mac OS X and iOS operating systems. First released as a public beta on January 7, 2003 on the company's Mac OS X operating system, it became Apple's default browser beginning with Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther". Safari is also the...
bookmarks with the MobileMe
MobileMe
MobileMe was a subscription-based collection of online services and software offered by Apple Inc. Originally launched on January 5, 2000, as iTools, a free collection of Internet-based services for users of Mac OS 9, Apple relaunched it as .Mac on July 17, 2002, when it became a paid subscription...
subscription service provided by Apple.
Starting with Mac OS X 10.4, much of iSync's original syncing functionality has been moved into the Sync Services framework, which developers can use to incorporate synchronization into their own applications. iSync, however, retains responsibility for the setup, configuration and synchronising of supported mobile handsets. Since the release of iTunes 4.8, the user interface for synchronizing iPods has been delegated to iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
, although conflict-resolution and substantial changes to contact information (>5%) shows use of iSync. Synchronization with MobileMe
MobileMe
MobileMe was a subscription-based collection of online services and software offered by Apple Inc. Originally launched on January 5, 2000, as iTools, a free collection of Internet-based services for users of Mac OS 9, Apple relaunched it as .Mac on July 17, 2002, when it became a paid subscription...
(previously .Mac) is now the domain of MobileMe Sync, accessible through a System Preferences
System Preferences
System Preferences is an application included with the Mac OS X operating system that allows users to modify various system settings which are divided into separate preference panes...
pane.
iSync was removed from Mac OS X in version 10.7 (Lion)
Mac OS X Lion
Mac OS X Lion is the eighth and current major release of Mac OS X, Apple's desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers....
. . However since the underlying framework still exists in Lion, it's possible to restore the functionality of iSync using a 10.6 (Snow Leopard) installation or backup .
Version history
| iSync version | Operating system Operating system An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system... version |
Release date | Features | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.2 | 10.3 | 10.4 | 10.5 | 10.6 | |||
| 3.1 | August 28, 2009 | Released as part of Mac OS X v10.6. Also final release of iSync. | |||||
| 3.0.2 | May 28, 2008 | Released as part of Mac OS X v10.5.3 | |||||
| 3.0 | October 26, 2007 | Released as part of Mac OS X v10.5. | |||||
| 2.4 | March 13, 2007 | Released as a part of Mac OS X v10.4.9 update. Added support for additional mobile handsets from Motorola, Nokia and Sony Ericsson and offered initial support for two mobile handsets from Samsung. | |||||
| 2.3 | June 27, 2006 | Released as a part of Mac OS X v10.4.7 update. Added support for additional mobile handsets. | |||||
| 2.2 | April 3, 2006 | Released as a part of Mac OS X v10.4.6 update. Added support for additional mobile handsets, including many Nokia Series 40 devices. | |||||
| 2.1.1 | January 10, 2006 | Released as a part of Mac OS X v10.4.4 update. Added support for additional mobile handsets. | |||||
| 2.1 | July 11, 2005 | Added support for more devices. | |||||
| 2.0 | April 29, 2005 | Released as part of Mac OS X v10.4. iSync now only syncs data between portable devices. Data synching between computers is handled by the operating system. | |||||
| 1.5 | August 10, 2004 | Added support for more devices. | |||||
| 1.4 | February 17, 2004 | Added support for more devices including Symbian phones and the iPod mini. | |||||
| 1.3 | October 24, 2003 | Released to coincide with Mac OS X v10.3 Mac OS X v10.3 Mac OS X Panther is the fourth major release of Mac OS X, Apple’s desktop and server operating system. It followed Mac OS X v10.2 "Jaguar" and preceded Mac OS X Tiger... release. Adding support for more devices. |
|||||
| 1.2.1 | October 8, 2003 | Added support for more devices and calendar support for Symbian phones. | |||||
| 1.1 | June 3, 2003 | Added support for more devices. Added bookmark synching between Macs. | |||||
| 1.0 | January 2, 2003 | First non-beta release. | |||||