Wi-Fi Sync for iPhone video hands-on: it works!
By Sam Sheffer 
posted May 17th 2010 10:07AM
posted May 17th 2010 10:07AM
Installation couldn't have been easier. We parted ways with our Hamilton, downloaded the necessary companion software for our laptop, and fired up the application. The iPhone was immediately recognized, and after a few prompts we were ready for action. Syncing was just as easy as it normally is (with "easy" being a relative term here), just without that iPod wire hanging around and bumming everyone out. We will say, however, that things weren't as snappy OTA as a standard hardwired connection. It was a bit sluggish on the first couple of runs, and although iTunes crashed a few times (boo), we're fairly confident in saying that a poor WiFi connection was to blame for the jankiness. Once we migrated closer to the router, things went much smoother. Still unsure if it's worth the investment? Then give the video past the break a look.
@Scouse Pricey
I only use a laptop, and I don't carry around an iPod sync cable. I charge my iTouch via a wall adapter, so being able to WiFi sync means I never need to move my cable.
What will they make next? Wireless charging?
Oh, wait.
COOL!
@Darth Vadar Indeed it is! Works like a charm! Just wish Apple would have allowed this into the store because they could have made a fortune off selling it as well!
@Darth Vadar
What's cool too is that Engadget is saying to Apple: We are going to promote what we think is cool, & that you're lame for rejecting it.
@Khris Well you know how it is. They wanna make it themselves. Beneficially, they could make that 30% profit, but I think they would rather their devs. have full credit for making and having the feature than another developer.
@Darth Vadar
Articles like this are cool because it really shows just how diverse and expert the developer community is.
However, microsoft got this one right first with the zune HD and I applaud them for that
@Darth Vadar
I can hear it now:
Steve Job this June at the iPhone 4 unveiling: "...and that's the magical iPhone 4... and just one more thing..."
Bam! Wireless syncing is a revolutionary new way to keep your iPhone connected.
You weren't able to sync the iPad wireless before???
Why is this think called "the true mobile device" again?
@connorpoole
Zune did it from their first device along with wifi song sharing between other zune devices. Its a shame that microsoft didn't try a little harder cause its such a good device and the software is just so much nicer than itunes imo.
@connorpoole
well wireless sync was on the flash 8 gb and 16 gb zune when it came out
@SeeKo
Stupid me.... I meant the IPhone of course. And 'thing' not 'think'. ;-)
@Darth Vadar
You have to PAY for this??? Hahahaaha!
@Darth Vadar -
SO WHAT'S THE BEST PHONE ON THE PLANET RIGHT NOW?
A Jailbroken iPhone? Why? Tell em Roy (iPhone personified) Batty:
"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion (Cydia). I've watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate (Rock). If Steve Eldon Tyrell has his way, all those ... moments will be lost in time, like tears...in rain ;^(...
Blade Runner (1982)
@Khris
Do you know of a way to download it through Rock?
@Frankenstein Black Nice. That's the best scene in that movie.
@RMarch Yep. I agree that's exactly what I think will happen too. And they will totally trash this particular app along with those that use it.
@Darth Vadar. yeah it's really cool that I can set my iphone down right next to my computer where it would be if it was pugged in and get a slow, buggy, crashing and battery draining wifi sync rather than not being so lazy as to pick up a cable and plug it in .
That is probably why Apple rejected it. the app is not ready for prime time. Not to mention the cited security concerns and the not so little detail that any change in the OS wifi software or itunes could break the whole thing.
@SeeKo Apple's always late to the party (Zune HD Wireless Sync), but then yet again, Engadget makes it feel like it's a revolutionary feature that was just invented by Apple.
The whole jailbreaking idea just makes me laugh... :D This is ridiculous, guys, how can you NOT see it?
@RMarch Wouldn't that make for a good explanation as to why Apple rejected the app? In the past, haven't they rejected an app that contained functionality Apple themselves planned to implement in the next version?
@loocas why is it ridiculous? Android users have the ability to root their phone and add other roms that aren't defaulted to their device.
It sucks to have to do it, but some don't care and will continue to hack to get what they want.
Unrelated to this, but how do you get the weather icon and phone symbol in the iPhone's status bar at the top?
@Darth Vadar
Zune was first
OVERRATED.
What is the big damned deal with plugging your phone in? You really want to sync potentially gigabytes of audio, video, or other data over wireless when you're two feet away from the computer?
There's a much bigger problem: the inability of third-party apps (or even some of Apple's own apps) to sync data with a companion app on the computer. WTF, Apple, the Palm OS could do this 15 years or so ago.
Then there's the glaring lack of another basic syncing function: "mobile device overwrites computer." If you know that all your info (contacts, calendar, and so forth) is correct on your phone and you want to overwrite the info on the computer with it... NOPE. Good luck keeping two or more computers in sync then. Again, PDAs had all three options (computer overrides handheld, computer and handheld sync, handheld overrides computer) before most people had Internet access. How does Apple just forget the third option, and not fix it in YEARS?
@Charlik
You need a new router my WIFI is solid and my Hero connects to it fine.
But then I just Sync with the net and don't need backward cables and such.
Ridiculous is the Apple eco-system! You have to friggin JAILBROKE your phone in order to get maximum out of it! What the hell? In 2010? This is the NUMBER ONE reason I'd never buy ANYTHING from Apple. No that I dislike their products or can't afford them, but because I hate being grabbed by my balls by other than my girl!
It's a cool feature, but I just think $9.99 seems a bit overpriced (Although it is completely affordable.....)
@Dead Man Inc
Yeah, how long till theres a Jailbreak Jailbreak - or rather cracked cracked servers. Bound to happen.
@FORDY
There already is and there has been for a long ass time.
I just got this from Cydia this morning. Interested to see if I actually use it.
@werty1432k sure you did...you just wanted to "try before you buy" right? mmmhm.
@derrickONLINE
Palm Pre also has an app that does media syncing over WiFi. Been available for a while now.
@derrickONLINE You nutsack it's a paid app on Cydia.
@richb93 & @derrickONLINE, you are both nutsacks...
@derrickONLINE is wrong because he's assuming pirated the app, which he didn't and @richb93, you are wrong because he did not pay for it, in his post above he mentions xSellize which is where he got to beta test the app...
(hope I'm right, don't wanna be a nutsack...)
@Plazmic Flame
Actually, dumbass, if you read up, he DID pirate the app!
"@Dead Man Inc I got the 'free' version. (xsellize repo)"
@Plazmic Flame it is on cydia with the default repo it is hosted from (cant quite remember), and it has also through other repos cracked for free, which i noticed on the same day it was originally uploaded to cydia
We're all nutsacks QQ
@Kamalot
MANY platforms have had this for a while. Heck, even the butt-of-jokes Zune had this feature from its initial release!
But again, Apple innovates by bringing in old features. And they CHARGE for them while other offer them for no additional cost. Well, Apple isn't exactly offering this themselves, but you get my meaning.
Now that I think of it, for any of you who are thinking about getting this app: beware, lest Apple add this "magical and revolutionary" feature a few months from now, banning the app yuo paid for because it "duplicates functionality."
Apple is so awesome. hahahhaa!
@DoctarPeppar
you're looking at the wrong comment, dumbass.
@Plazmic Flame Well since this started some sort of debate here I may as well weigh in.
I do crack apps and I did get this app for free from Cydia on the xsellize source. I'm not some sort of hacker and I can respect devs hard work. I'm just a college student who doesn't want to pay 10 dollars for an app I probably won't use. (and to be clear, even if I do use it a lot I wouldn't go back and pay for it, think of me what you will.)
Another thought: Cydia IMO is not a place to sell things. Cydia is an 'underground' community where anything goes. This isn't your fancy clean cut Apple branded App Store.
@Kamalot
I used to sync my Sony Clié TH-55 over Wifi, and that's a looong time ago. I really wonder what's taking so long here.
iPhone is so boring to me now. Bleh.
@Scape3d
Multitasking Fail
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa55/goodavatar/MultitaskFail.png
we all know why Apple rejected it. Its going to be put on the iPhone in OS 6.0 as "innovative" even tho I have been apple to Sync wirelessly on my Zune for years.
and for those that are worried about battery life, just put it in a dock while its syncing, I'm sure I'm not the only person that charges their iPhone in a dock thats not connected to a computer
@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi
Exactly what I was thinking too. 3 years from now when Apple releases iphone 6.0, wireless syncing will be hailed as the most innovative way to sync your mobile devices. Of course fanboys' argument will be "yes I know the feature has been available but the way Apple implemented it is TRULY innovative." Puleeeez!!
"I'm sure I'm not the only person that charges their iPhone in a dock thats not connected to a computer"
Word!! Sometimes I go weeks without syncing.
@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi if you're going to put it in a dock while syncing, then why in the world would you need to sync wirelessly?
@crunc
Maybe the dock isn't near my computer?
@crunc yea see I tend to put it in a dock in the kitchen or bedroom sometimes....now while there is a computer in said bedroom, said computer is a laptop and doesn't have many USB ports...one of which is being used by the cooling fan under the laptop, the other is being used for the wireless mouse....so yea there are plenty of reasons why one would like to sync wirelessly while its charging in a dock
@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi Also, not my case, but I'd assume a good case scenario would be if you have a radio dock (opposed to generic) where you prefer to have the device hooked up whenever it's not in the pocket so it can be accessed. Similar but with added benefits of increased audio output for playback of synced content without having to fuss about with cables.