12-20-2002, 12:57 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Competition on the Sync Front
"Apple Computer is refining a strategy for connecting cell phones and other portable devices to its Macintosh systems in an effort to boost sales. But a rival endeavor from Microsoft, expected to be unveiled early next year, could dim the company's hopes, analysts said."
Apple's iSync product is an important long-term strategy as the company branches out into the lifestyle market, such as with their iPod device. However, Microsoft's building extensions to ActiveSync to support a wider range of devices too. While Microsoft has not yet decided to integrate ActiveSync into the OS, this may happen in the future, and the article asserts that it could spell the death for iSync and some of Apple's momentum in this area.
Personally, I think it's far too early to call such shots. Besides, ActiveSync has to be made much more reliable. :twisted: Additionally, I would love to see an open technology like SyncML win. But this is an area definitely worth watching long-term.
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12-20-2002, 01:38 AM
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Mystic
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,768
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other sync
Some of the people I used to work with started up a new company called fusionOne... but they were funded in part by 3Com before Palm split from them and also Nokia. It is good software, but I can't use it with my Pocket PC. I think that sync software is one of the very under-valued tools that as the article points out, will become increasingly valuable with more mobile devices hitting the market.
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Jonathan (JonnoB)
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." -Edmund Burke
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12-20-2002, 01:43 AM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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ActiveSync? A mature technology?
Bwahahahahahahaha!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 ukeface:
Sorry. I shouldn't eat then laugh so much.
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12-20-2002, 03:07 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 37
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Monopoly Killed the Competitive Stars
OK, that was a weak attempt to invoke "Video Killed the Radio Star"
This article was mostly silly but it does raise the very issues at the heart of the MS antitrust trial. Any PocketPC user will attest to the, shall we say, progress-yet-to-be made in the Windows/PocketPC synchronization world. But Microsoft's monopoly on the desktop OS, combined with its insistence on using proprietary protocols, kills any real competition in the market.
As soon as the industry appears on the verge of agreeing on some great, open technology that many companies could use to compete on a level playing field, MS usually foists its own, closed, proprietary technology on the market and it only works with Windoze. If Microsoft wasn't a monopoly, that would be smart marketing. But they are a monopoly and that makes it unfair competition.
JW
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12-20-2002, 03:10 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 212
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I read that too as well from C|net, what a joke. Who the hell wrote that, were they smoking something?
I agree that the beta version of iSync works well with say the T68i or iPod but not the palm devices. This is going to be an area to watch in the future, but not iSync's demise. Gimme a break, like XBOX is winning over PS2 just b/c Microsoft gets into the game industry. Dumb editors. :roll:
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12-20-2002, 03:31 AM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 513
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I'm clueless of course, but I thought I remember reading that iSync was based on SyncML?
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12-20-2002, 04:13 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 735
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Yup, iSync is based on SyncML. Although they boast that they work on multiple platforms, unlike ActiveSync, I don't really buy Palm+some cellphones = multiple platforms. I want to iSync Mac to PPC and Zaurus!!
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12-20-2002, 06:55 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by klinux
Yup, iSync is based on SyncML. Although they boast that they work on multiple platforms, unlike ActiveSync, I don't really buy Palm+some cellphones = multiple platforms. I want to iSync Mac to PPC and Zaurus!!
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Or, ideally, since MS would never officially support iSync, we'd like SyncML support on PPC's and Zaurus'es, and then iSync would just work. Or ActiveMLSync. Or whatever. Long-term, I think it's necessary for consumer devices to reach the next level. To some extent, Bluetooth's OBEX protocols are designed to satisfy this, but something a bit higher-level would be nice.
BTW, I do agree the article was highly fluffy. The underlying thought merits discussion though. 
--janak
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12-20-2002, 10:34 AM
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Magi
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,386
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Love the PPC, but ActiveSync is a disgrace... GO iSYNC!!
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12-20-2002, 01:36 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 118
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My ActiveSync Wish List
:idea:
1) Selective synchronization across many devices - this would allow me to only backup either outlook data or files to 4 or 5 computers (or more).
This would require extending the partnership capabilities of A.S.
2) A transfer optimization setting (for serial/wireless/pptp) connections.
3) The ability to recognize other sync-capable devices such as a "cough" Palm :?: :!:
4) Any others?????
-Steve
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Linear Mode
