Synchronization is one of the great double-edged weapons in technology. When it works like it’s supposed to, it’s a godsend. But more often than not, getting synchronization to that point is like casting some sort of arcane mystical spell: expecto synchronicitum!
In Leopard, many users appear to be having issues getting their Palm OS devices to sync using iSync. Reader Kevin pointed us to one Apple discussion thread about the issues, but there are a number of other similar threads in the iSync forum.
The problem may be related to the fact that both Address Book and iCal had changes to their formats implemented in 10.5; Palm is supposedly working on a new version of Hot Sync, which may help fix the problem, but it’s unknown if the problem resides in that or in the iSync conduit.
I haven’t tried to sync a Palm device with OS X since I gave up using my old Handspring Visor Pro (whew, that was a while ago). Any of you other readers experiencing problems with syncing Palm OS devices via iSync? Sound off below.
I've had a bad time trying with iSync, Palm Hotsync and Missing Sync. None do the job, and it took several iterations of various combinations to be sure it wasn't just me missing some step. Worked fine with isync and Palm in Tiger.
I now am in the process of investigating some applications for converting to ical format from Outlook--so I can get Windows info synced to my home iCal program, as in the past. Then I'll import the files after emailing back and forth.
I've been using a Google calendar (doesn't sync, but does display on both) to keep track. I also recently checked out Calgoo, which will also allow for viewing while offline.
I hope the ical file imports back and forth will do the trick until Palm or Missing Sync get a real fix for this.
I've been using The Missing Synch 5 with my Treo 650 on my MBP C2d 2.33GHz and its worked flawlessly under 10.5/10.5.1, even mingling data back and forth to my Entourage/Exchange account.
That said, the lack of decent tools for managing duplicate information or entries in Apple's Address Book and ICal is still irritating - sure, you can easily manage changed vCards and choose which information to merge, but there need to be more comprehensive 'macro' tools available to deal with large numbers of edits (for example, I should be able to edit one field in an entire group of contacts based on booleans, say if a company's address changes, rather than having to edit every single record).
I can sync my Palm via Bluetooth (painfully slow) but the USB connection does not connect at all in Leopard. Tiger worked okay.
I am new to the Mac world and new to Leopard, too. I have an old Treo 600 running Palm OS 5.2.1. I followed the on screen instructions to sync my device using iSync to AddressBook and iCal. OMG, I have to say it was unbelievably painLESS. Again, I followed the on-screen instructions and within a few minutes it synced everything perfectly; I tested it by updating and adding records on both the AddressBook (& iCal) and the Treo and it worked flawlessly. Glad I've missed out on the syncing frustrations. Maybe it's because I'm still using such an old device. I've had syncing issues in the past with various PC machines and by far it was the most frustrating computing experience fixing it.
Also, we share iCal calendars and all the changes I make on the Treo go to my wife's calendar perfectly, too.
I am new to the Mac world and new to Leopard, too. I have an old Treo 600 running Palm OS 5.2.1. I followed the on screen instructions to sync my device using iSync to AddressBook and iCal. OMG, I have to say it was unbelievably painLESS. Again, I followed the on-screen instructions and within a few minutes it synced everything perfectly; I tested it by updating and adding records on both the AddressBook (& iCal) and the Treo and it worked flawlessly. Glad I've missed out on the syncing frustrations. Maybe it's because I'm still using such an old device. I've had syncing issues in the past with various PC machines and by far it was the most frustrating computing experience fixing it.
Also, we share iCal calendars and all the changes I make on the Treo go to my wife's calendar perfectly, too.
It worked perfectly the first three or four times on a new MacBook with 10.5.1 and a Palm TX. Now, for no reason at all, the iSync conduit won't sync the calendar on the Palm, just the address book.
In iSync, I selected: Force Slow Sync
AND
Unchecked the Address book sync and then selected the iCal sync option (Calendar) and it worked.
It looks like the iSync conduit won't sync more than one thing at a time now. It really seems to be a random bug because everything worked flawlessly at first both ways.
Who knows how long this solution will keep working.
J
As other users, after I upgraded to Leopard I could no longer sync to palm (T3). I was able to finally sync calendar by turning off contact sync, however, I cannot sync contacts even if I turn off calendar sync. In addition iSync was "successful" in resetting my palm before sync and therefore lost all my contacts (400) in my palm PDA. To recover I exported the contacts as a vCards.vcf file and reloaded via bluetooth to my palm. Therefore, I am "semi-functional" a this point (calendar via sync and contacts via bluetooth) and awaiting for a new version of iSync or Palm Hotsync manager (unlikely). One more bug: An empty "Unfiled" calendar is added to iCal after calendar synchronization. I guess this is a well conceived ploy by Apple to force me to buy an iPhone ($).