02-11-2004, 08:34 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Palm No Longer Offering Mac Synching?
"...Macintosh synchronization is something that the Palm OS used to offer, but won't any more. Mr. Slotnick made it clear that PalmSource isn't developing a Mac version of the Palm Desktop. As the way the PIM apps work has changed significantly, this means Mac users won't be able to HotSync without third-party software.
Fortunately, a third party has already stepped forward. Mark/Space is going to release a version of its Missing Sync application for Cobalt. This will allow existing Mac conduits for other third-party applications to still work. In addition to the standard functions, Missing Sync for Cobalt will allow Bluetooth and Wi-Fi HotSyncing."
I was reading an article about the PalmSource conference (hey, why didn't I get invited? :lol and the above quote caught my attention. One of the areas in which the Pocket PC never got caught up to Palm in was the are of Mac support. There have certainly been requests for a Mac version of ActiveSync, but ultimately I think it came down to a market share equation for Microsoft (doesn't it always?): "Do we improve the product that we have now, or develop a Mac version?" - you can guess which option won out. This move by Palm to leave the Mac market to third parties mirrors what Microsoft has done, and it takes away one advantage that Palm has traditionally held. What do you think?
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02-11-2004, 08:38 PM
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,998
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As I haven't used a Mac in year, this doesn't affect me really. Still, it's too bad when you see companies scale back their scope. I like to see companies stretch into new areas, not leave existing ones.
However, since a third party app will do the trick, I don't think this will have a huge impact one way or another.
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02-11-2004, 08:42 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,185
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Makes me wonder what's going on at Apple that no PDA vendor is willing to place their bets on Mac functionality. Especially given iSync. I can't understand why MSFT is willing and able to dedicate resources to Office, but not an ActiveSync product. All of the small shop options for syncing PPC/Palms with a Mac are so hit or miss. Frustrating.
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02-11-2004, 09:02 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 298
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Sounds to me like Mark/Space should start hooking up with vendors to have the software bundled. They should make a nice chunk of money from this sort of thing.
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02-11-2004, 09:15 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 95
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Re: Palm No Longer Offering Mac Synching?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jason Dunn
This move by Palm...mirrors what Microsoft has done, and it takes away one advantage that Palm has traditionally held. What do you think?
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Just like going to 2 versions of the OS mirrors what Microsoft has done. Of course, Palm will never admit that MS was right about anything, but does anyone really think that Cobalt apps developed 2 years from now are going to run on Garnet?
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02-11-2004, 09:37 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 330
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I know of a few Mac owners who where really miffed that the Sony Clie has never syncd with a Mac until Mark/space came along.
The sad thing about it for them is that they heard about Mark/Space through me who got the info of PPCT. 
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02-11-2004, 09:42 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 276
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...
As this site is dedicated to Pocket PC's, and PPCs inherent lack of connectivity to the Apple platform, I don't think many readers will find this annoucement effects them enough to have any great feelings.
Yes, a third party solution exsists. However it is not an 'out-of-box' solution. In my opinion this requirement alone will cause average consumers to consider the device unable to connect. Asking someone to find information on the PDA itself, then to go search third party software to see if one might make it connect increases the hassle.
Diehards will do the research anyways. But new users who pick up the box, see that it says thier system isn't supported will just move on.
While it is always a numbers game, I think this move reduces the one advanatge Palm had over Windows PPC in its cross platform capabilities, i.e. a larger market. This move however places Palm strictly in competition with Windows PPC for the same set of niche (PDA) users.
My crystal ball/monkeys paw/chicken bones tell me that a market void always attracts attention. Perhaps the third parties will do the leg work for palm and get included... perhaps Apple themselves will see a whole in thier Digital Life Hub where there is now no competition and reenter the PDA market (iPod with a few more functions perhaps?) or perhaps even Microsoft will now see new numbers and the cost of porting activesync will be less then cost of money made on new users.
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02-11-2004, 09:55 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 974
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Palm had an advantage?
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02-11-2004, 10:05 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 119
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considering the mac has a terrific built in file/bookmark/music/calendaring/address book sync, this isn't a big deal - I'd say Palm knows they can't beat Apple and decided to continue on building software where it is lacking - as in Windows.
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02-11-2004, 10:21 PM
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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 acronym
considering the mac has a terrific built in file/bookmark/music/calendaring/address book sync, this isn't a big deal
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Question for you, though. Does iSync have built-in Palm syncing support? If so, that would indeed be the explanation.
--janak
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