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iOS 5 features: Wi-Fi Sync (Updated)
One feature of iOS 5 that has become a favorite during my beta-testing of the new mobile operating system is Wi-Fi Sync. This is exactly what a lot of iPhone users have wanted since 2007, and now it's finally here and working well. To sync with iTunes on your Mac over Wi-Fi, you need to open Settings > General > iTunes Wi-Fi Sync on your iOS device and also have iTunes up and running on your Mac. On iTunes, be sure to check "Sync with this [iOS device] over Wi-Fi," which is found in the Summary information for the iOS device you're trying to sync. Note that your iOS device must be plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi for the sync to take place -- it won't sync while on internal battery power. However, I was able to fake being plugged in by switching on my Mophie Juice Pack Air so that my iPhone thought it was plugged in. Correction: Your device will sync while unplugged, as long as it has enough juice onboard. What it won't do without external power is back up to iCloud wirelessly -- thanks to our commenters for setting us straight. So, what gets backed up to iTunes? Just about everything. On my iPhone, I have ringtones, music, movies, podcasts, iTunes U content, and apps, so all of those items sync automatically. Whenever I update an app on the iPhone, the new version is synced to iTunes automatically. Speed-wise, the initial backup (if you're doing a complete backup) or sync goes pretty quickly. For me, it seemed like the syncs were going much faster than they did over USB, although that might be an artifact of other improvements in iOS 5 instead of the network being used to transfer the data. I've taken to running iTunes as a full-screen app in its own Lion space just so that my devices have more of an opportunity to sync with the Mac over Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi syncing makes syncing up your iOS devices incredibly pain-free. You can also choose to back up your device to your computer over Wi-Fi, once again selecting that option on the iTunes Summary screen for your device. You can choose to back up to your Mac or to iCloud, but not both. Between the powerful iCloud syncing capabilities of iOS 5 and Wi-Fi syncing of your content to your computer, Apple is doing a great job of insuring that your data is safe.
Wi-Fi Sync developer says he was 'fairly shocked' by Apple's similar Wi-Fi Sync feature
Wirelessly syncing a smartphone is hardly a new idea, but the developer of the Wi-Fi Sync app for iOS devices apparently thinks Apple's similar new feature in iOS 5 -- also called Wi-Fi Sync --is just a little too close to his for comfort. As you may recall, Greg Hughes submitted his "Wi-Fi Sync" app to Apple for App Store approval back in May of 2010 and was ultimately rejected, although not before he says he was told that Apple's engineers were "impressed" by his effort -- he then made the app available in the Cydia store, where it's been downloaded more than 50,000 times at $10 a pop. That was apparently working out just fine for him until this week, when he says he was "fairly shocked" to see Apple announce a Wi-Fi Sync feature of its own in iOS 5, complete with a familiar looking icon. Hughes went on to tell The Register that he was "surprised" by the similarities, but he hasn't offered any indication that he plans to push the issue any further. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Wi-Fi Sync now compatible with Windows and iPad
Wi-Fi Sync is quite the gem (at least we think so) but it had some limitations -- namely, it only worked on OS X for desktop, and only with iPhone / iPod touch. Developer Greg Hughes pinged us earlier today to let us know he's thrown the gates off such restrictions. The jailbroken app now works for both iPads and Windows -- XP, Vista, and 7. The desktop client is free to download but it still cost just a hair under $10 for the appropriate mobile device. Worth the price of breaking free from wires? Your call.
Wi-Fi Sync for iPhone video hands-on: it works!
We just got our hands on Wi-FI Sync and guess what? It actually works -- fancy that! For those of you out of the loop, Apple recently rejected this gem of an app (go figure), but thanks to the magic of jailbreaking, that was hardly the end of the road. Days later, Wi-Fi Sync ended up on Cydia (Mac-only, for now) with a completely-affordable price tag of $9.99, promising iPhone and iPod touch users the ability to sync their device with iTunes sans any cabling whatsoever. Since we're notoriously lazy when it comes to actually plugging in our phones and syncing, we fired up the program on our jailbroken 3GS in order to see exactly what the law-abiders in attendance were missing out on. %Gallery-93092% 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.
hacksugar: Wireless iTunes syncing makes it to jailbroken iPhones
Cables, schmables. Why occupy valuable USB slots when you can make iTunes data fly magically over virtual intertubes to and from your home computer? New to the jailbreak world, Wi-Fi Sync introduces over-the-air sync to iPhone devices. The application works like this: you install a client app on your desktop computer (10.5 and 10.6 Mac only at this time), which you can download for free from the Wi-Fi Sync website. Then, run the $9.99 Wi-Fi Sync application on your iPhone. Your phone will appear in iTunes' sources list as a connected device. You can then sync your device, just as if it were plugged in at a standard USB port.
Wi-Fi Sync app rejected by Apple, headed to Cydia for $9.99
Can't say we're surprised to hear that Apple rejected Greg Hughes' Wi-Fi Sync app. You know, the app that allows you to wirelessly sync your iPhone / iPod touch with iTunes without having to USB tether to your computer. Messing with Apple's synchronization technology is a pretty big no-no as demonstrated by Palm's webOS bluff. Here's the rejection as explained by Greg from an unnamed Apple rep over the phone: "While he agreed that the app doesn't technically break the rules, he said that it does encroach upon the boundaries of what they can and cannot allow on their store. He also cited security concerns." So while you won't find it in Apple's App Store, it's available now on Cydia for a cool $9.99. You have jailbroken your device haven't you? Don't make us get all MuscleNerd up in here. Update: An Apple spokeswoman contacted us to clarify that the rejection was the result of security issues and "technical issues including reading and writing outside of the app's container." So there.
Wi-Fi Sync: wirelessly sync the iPhone with iTunes... in your dreams (video)
Hey iPhone, welcome to 2007. Following Opera's script in building grassroots hysteria to goad Apple into approving a contentious app, developer Greg Hughes is teasing a video of his Wi-Fi Sync app to the peoples of planet internet. As the name implies, the app promises a complete sync of your iPhone or iPod touch with iTunes without having to tether and looks pretty straightforward (and occasionally useful) based on the video demonstration found after the break. Greg says he'll be submitting it to Apple for approval at the end of the week -- good luck with that Greg, we hope to be seeing you on Cydia at the very least.
