SyncServices
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Sync Services change in 10.7.4 disables BusySync, Spanning Sync
For many years, Sync Services has provided the backbone for synchronization of other devices to Macs running OS X. A change that was part of OS X 10.7.4 has apparently stopped iCal from pushing changes to Sync Services, breaking some very popular synchronization applications -- BusySync and Spanning Sync. The Spanning Sync official blog notes that: This bug also affects other sync apps including BusySync and Blackberry Sync. It's unclear whether Apple intends to fix this bug. Larry, Byron, and I don't want anyone paying for something that doesn't work, so we've decided to take the drastic step of temporarily suspending Spanning Sync sales. Over at the BusySync Google Group, the team notes that "any changes made in iCal will not be synced to BusySync. However, changes made on Google or other computers on your LAN that you are syncing with, will be synced to iCal through BusySync. So, the communication is one way -- BusySync can push information to iCal, but iCal won't push anything back." BusyMac, the folks who develop and market BusySync, have some solutions -- upgrading to BusyCal, their product that replaces iCal and BusySync; stop using BusySync and just have iCal sync directly to Google calendar (iCal > Preferences > Accounts); or go through a workaround described here that takes advantage of iCal syncing through iTunes. Regardless of the reason behind the changes in 10.7.4, John Chaffee at BusyMac notes that "... Sync Services is deprecated in Mountain Lion, so this may just be a hint of things to come. Everything is moving to the cloud." In other words, don't expect the old way of syncing to work going into the future. [Thanks to Danny Greer for the tip!]
Ford adds operator assist to its SYNC service, lets you scream at a cospecific
Ford is keeping up with the dashboard arms race by beta-testing live operator assistance within its SYNC system. If the voice-controlled navigation fails to capire no matter how loudly you panic, it'll give you the opportunity to say "operator" and vent at a real-life human being instead. Of course, GM drivers already have this option via OnStar, and there's also the OnStar FMV for everyone else, but the premium annual subscription is a hefty $299. Meanwhile, SYNC costs just $60 per year after a three-year complimentary period. Some of those bucks will trickle down to Wisconsin-based MyAssist, whose operators are set to handle the incoming salvos on Ford's behalf. The question is, who can they call? Navigate to further details in the PR after the break.
Sync your iPhone with Microsoft Entourage
I must admit I'm a bit surprised that this slipped past me, so I hope I'm not the only one that didn't realize Entourage can sync with the iPhone via its oft-forgotten ability to play well with Mac OS X's Sync Services. According to this Apple support doc, switching on the preference you see above in Entourage 11.3.5 or later will break down the barriers between Entourage, Address Book and iCal, allowing iTunes to unite your iPhone and Entourage in beautiful synching harmony (however, as far as I can tell, iTunes won't be able to sync your actual email accounts from Entourage).How well this bridge will work in practice I can't tell you; I'm not an Entourage man myself. But this might be great news for those still on the fence between an iPhone and something like a BlackBerry for whom Entourage synching is a deal maker or breaker. If anyone has been using their iPhone with Entourage, please sound off on how this setup's been treatin' you.
Actiontastic 0.9 raises GTD bar with iCal syncing
Sure, our OmniFocus preview included details of the Omni Group's intentions to bake in iCal syncing when their GTD app lands but the latest version of Actiontastic has it now, complete with Apple's Sync Services for that 'done the right way' goodness (don't forget, not long ago it also gained iPod syncing). Hawk Wings has the low-down with some screenshots of what this new iCal syncing is all about, and I award Actiontastic's developer Jon Crosby bonus points for adding a UI into the preferences for removing his app from the Sync Services directory (Yojimbo, Transmit, SOHO Notes - are your devs reading this?).Head over to Jon's site for the latest beta-ware version, but be sure to stay on top of Actiontastic's development news - this version expires Feb. 28th.
Yojimbo: Made possible by Tiger
The Apple Developer Connection spoke with the folks at Bare Bones about Yojimbo, their application for organizing just about everything, and how Apple technologies made it possible. Core Data, Sync Services, and Cocoa created the perfect storm, in the form of Tiger, that combined to form Yojimbo, after some work in Xcode and Interface Builder that is.An interesting article about a very clever app.
