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Google Sync support for Windows Phone to be kept alive until December 31st
As it turns out, yesterday wasn't the last opportunity to get your Windows Phone chatting with Google Sync. At the final hour, El Goog decided it wasn't the right time to block new connections for contact and calendar syncing -- the end date has been postponed again, this time to December 31st. That should leave plenty of time for all handsets to receive the GDR 2 update, letting CalDAV and CardDAV take over syncing duties so that Google Sync can finally retire with a clear conscience.
Gmail push notification no longer works with Mail on new iOS devices
Google's Gmail has provided push notification to iOS users through Mail.app for years, but an announced change has taken effect that will leave users with new devices without push notification in the iPhone's native mail app. Google announced in December that the Microsoft Exchange support offered with Google Sync would be removed, and the company ended that support on January 30, 2013. For those who are using the Gmail push notification feature on existing hardware, there's no cause for concern as Google has grandfathered in your accounts. However, when you get a new iOS device through an upgrade or replacement, you'll find that you can no longer receive instant push notifications for Gmail accounts. According to a post on Apple Insider, these changes went unnoticed by most people, with a number of new threads popping up on the Apple Support Communities regarding push notification issues and even Apple Genius representatives expressing bewilderment with the issue. Gmail users using the iOS Mail app now need to set new devices to fetch their mail on a timed basis (screenshot at right), grab new mail by manually launching the app and refreshing, or begin using another app to continue receiving push notifications. Google's free Gmail app provides push notifications of new emails, as does the highly prized Mailbox app. For those who want to continue using Mail.app, third-party notification service Boxcar can send push notifications separately. Google also provides Exchange support with push notification to Google Apps customers, starting at a monthly cost of US$5 per user.
Google shuts down features and services for 'winter cleaning'
Seasons change and web services shut down -- such in life. Google today announced some "difficult decisions" regarding a number of properties, particularly Calendar, which will see the end of several "less popular" features on the 4th of next month. On the list of blacked out capabilities are the ability to make reservable times through the service's Appointment slots. Smart Rescheduler and Add Gadget by URL are also set to go black on that date, while the ability to check one's calendar and create events via SMS are coming to an end today. On January 30th, meanwhile, it will no longer be possible to set up new devices with Google Sync. That date also marks the end of Google Sync for Nokia S60 and SyncML -- and today, the company's discontinuing Google Calendar Sync. Also on the chopping block are Google's Issue Tracker API and Punchd. More info on all the shutdowns can be found in the source link.
Google Sync for BlackBerry swept away in spring cleaning
It's springtime, and you know what that means for Google: out with the old and in with the new. Unfortunately, many BlackBerry fans might not like how Google's rearranging the furniture. During its routine tradition, the company announced that Google Sync for the BlackBerry will no longer be available for download as of June 1st. Put simply, the company identified its app as redundant, as RIM provides the same contact and calendar sync services to its customers with native software. Also in the spirit of spring cleaning, Google is encouraging users to uninstall the Sync app and properly configure their BlackBerry handsets to take advantage of these services. Fortunately, those content to keep with the status quo will be glad to know that Google Sync will continue to function properly -- so even if you're feeling lazy on this fine day, it's all good. Those with motivation, however, will find instructions of how to make the switch in the source below. [Spring cleaning photo via Shutterstock]
Windows Phone 7.5 gets multiple Google Calendar sync, additional Gmail features
Google's improved how its calendar and email services interact with Windows Phones running the Mango update. Users can now cram up to 25 different calendars into the Metro OS's built-in calendar app. The setup's not exactly seamless; you need to navigate your Windows Phone to the Google Sync page, login and check the boxes found there. While testing on our phones, although one device was able to immediately sync, the other couldn't pick up on our multiple calendars. We had to delete and re-assign our Google account to the phone in order to get it working. However, once we did, the Metro styling lent itself well to multiple calendar listings, with the ability (like the web-based Google Calendar) to assign colors to each. At the same Google Sync page, you can now choose to enable the "send mail as" feature if you're using multiple addresses, with the option to delete unwanted emails instead of archiving. However, aside from replying from the same address that you received emails to, we haven't discovered a way to assign new mails to our multiple guises. We were able to send messages through our own Engadget mail account, although that's then used on all future missives. Despite these rough edges, it remains a welcome bit of extra functionality. Are we still longing for a dedicated Gmail app? Definitely. We just hope those devs don't drop the ball.
Sony Ericsson to shut down Sync service, recommends Google Sync instead
Like bubbles casually floating on the horizon, Sony Ericsson's Sync service is about to fade into obscurity. Last week, the company formerly known as Sony Ericsson confirmed that Sync will be shut down on December 29th, in favor of similar offerings from Google and other companies. In a statement posted to its site, the manufacturer explained that the service had to be cut, "since it was meant for old generation phones and our aim is to create a more enhanced and integrated smartphone experience for you." Sony Ericsson suggests using Google Sync as an alternative, though Plaxo and UNYK are also viable. Check out the source link below for detailed instructions on how to make the transition.
Google Sync adds mail server search, appointment confirmation to native iOS apps
Google Sync has pushed Gmail messages, calendar updates, and contacts to iOS since its launch in 2009, but this half-baked solution previously lacked some key functionality. Beginning today, users can finally perform mail server searches and confirm appointment requests from their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. This means that you'll be able to search for messages in your entire mailbox, not just for emails stored on your device -- a feature that first appeared with iPhone OS 3, but without Google Sync support. You can also respond to calendar invites from within the Calendar app. Fancy that! A third update brings support for sending messages from other addresses listed in your Gmail account, though only the first two features worked when we took Sync for a spin this afternoon. (Curiously, Google omitted a "Send Mail as" screenshot on its blog, so this last update may not actually be available yet.) This latest trio of updates is available for both gratis and Google Apps accounts, so head to the source link for set up instructions and the full feature rundown.
Samsung Monte now official, all the TouchWiz and Google Latitude you can handle
Samsung's just gone ahead and pulled the trigger on announcing its S5620 Monte ahead of Mobile World Congress next week, offering a decent set of social features and Google integration at what should be a pretty reasonable price. The "reasonable price" part of this equation comes thanks to a 3-inch WQVGA display and 3.2 megapixel camera, though exact pricing hasn't been announced; meanwhile, you've got a whole host of features that you'd typically associate with higher-end devices like WiFi, Exchange ActiveSync support, and integration with Google's Latitude service to keep track of your friends' whereabouts from afar. Riding atop the latest "2.0 Plus" version of Sammy's ubiquitous TouchWiz UI, the phone features 3.6Mbps HSDPA on the 900 and 2100MHz bands (read: no US support here) and has AGPS, integrated FM radio with RDS, and microSD support up to 16GB. We should know more on pricing and availability around MWC, we imagine, but for now, specs and this lovely picture are all we're going to get.
Ask TUAW: Syncing, custom keyboards, sharing iPhone apps, and more
Welcome back to Ask TUAW, our weekly Mac troubleshooting Q&A column. This week we've got lots of questions about syncing, as well as customized keyboards, sharing iPhone apps, managing iTunes, and more. As always, your suggestions and questions are welcome. Questions for next week should be left in the comments. When asking a question please include which machine you're running and which version of Mac OS X (we'll assume you're running Leopard on an Intel Mac if you don't specify). And now, on to the questions
Google adds support for push Gmail via Exchange ActiveSync
Google Sync's pretty awesome as it is, but it's had one glaring flaw in its implementation: no support for Gmail, just Calendar and Contacts, which means you aren't able to get true push email delivered. Well, they've gone ahead and completed the holy Google trinity today with the introduction of Gmail support into the Exchange ActiveSync mix, so any phone with Exchange support should theoretically be able to get in on the action. We say "theoretically" because they're only quoting support for the iPhone and Windows Mobile at this point, but it seems like anything that can speak the EAS protocol should be able to make this happen. Let us know your trials, tribulations, and successes getting this set up in comments, won't you?
Google Sync now playing nice with S60
Google's been hard at work recently making as many non-Android mobile devices fully (well, at least partially) compatible with its cloud, and Google Sync has now moved to yet another platform. The S60 version of the client is now in beta, bringing contact and calendar syncing to a very large, very important new customer base -- and it's totally push, meaning users don't really have to do anything to keep their data in sync. Since it's still in beta, Google is recommending that users back up their phone before installing and using the software -- and we can personally attest to the value of backing stuff up before performing a fresh sync in any situation, so yeah, go ahead and do that. [Via Phone Scoop]
Google Sync debuts for iPhone, Windows Mobile and SyncML devices
Google just announced a new service for pushing Gmail contacts and Google Calendar updates to mobile devices. For iPhone and Windows Mobile devices Google is using Exchange ActiveSync with some limitations due to the beta nature of the service, but it'll also work on many other devices that support SyncML (a vendor list is here). Google Sync works automatically, and replaces all existing contact and calendar information on the device, so sync-er beware -- we wouldn't let Google get close to our contacts without some serious preflight cleanup and maintenance. Google Apps users can enable the service per domain. There's an explanatory video after the break.
Google Sync for BlackBerry gets into your contacts
If you're a BlackBerry user or a prospective user, and also happen to be a Gmail enthusiast, you're going to be a lot happier than you were yesterday, because Google's just added over-the-air contact syncing to its Google Sync application. Previously, the app was only able to sync up calendars between the cloud and RIM devices every two hours. Now you can get your names and numbers in the mix, so it looks like the nightmare days of having one list of contacts in Gmail and another, totally different one in your 'Berry are apparently at an end. Sure, Google's timing on this seems a little convenient to us, coming as it does just before the BlackBerry Storm launch, but we're not going to complain about something that makes ours lives easier, okay? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
