Google announces Calendar and contact syncing for iPhone and Windows Mobile devices

February 9 2009

It seems like the messaging industry is rapidly consolidating around approaches and protocols for e-mail/calendar/contact sync on mobile devices:

For iPhone and Windows Mobile devices, Google Sync allows you to get your Gmail contacts and Google Calendar events onto your phone. Sync uses push technology, which means that any changes you make to your calendar or contacts from the browser or phone will be reflected on your device within minutes. For phones that support SyncML, the tool will allow you to get your Gmail contacts onto your phone. For all of these devices, synchronization happens automatically over the air, without having to manually sync your phone. The connection is always on, which means your information is always up-to-date, no matter where you are or what you're doing.
It's interesting to see, though, that some specific devices have "known limitations".  I'm sure they will get worked around for everyone over time.

Also interesting to see Microsoft's reaction to the announcement.

All of this reassures me that our strategy around mobility for Notes/Domino is on the right track -- web and protocol-based approaches, support for a variety of devices through their native interfaces, and a strong partner ecosystem to add value and innovate.

Link: Google announces Calendar and contact syncing for iPhone and Windows Mobile devices >

Ed Brill | Highland Park, IL USA Category:  Messaging  Add/View Comments [12]

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  1. 1  Volker Weber http://vowe.net | 2/9/2009 3:20:19 PM

    Indeed. You are on the right track with ActiveSync support in Traveler.

    If IBM going to comment on the patent issue?

  1. 2  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 2/9/2009 3:22:36 PM

    IBM's plan to add ActiveSync to Lotus Notes Traveler is covered by existing licensing agreements.

  1. 3  Carlos  | 2/9/2009 6:35:25 PM

    "plan to add" - when is it scheduled for release ?

  1. 4  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 2/9/2009 7:33:42 PM

    @3 we haven't announced a release date other than "sometime in 2009".

  1. 5  Rob Brown  | 2/10/2009 4:04:07 AM

    Is it possible to sync an iPhone to more than one Exchange (ActiveSync) account? If not, there might be a slice of the Notes "at work" ActiveSync wannabes who have already used up their ActiveSync slot syncing their Gmail "at home" contacts.

  1. 6  T. ONAY  | 2/10/2009 5:22:31 AM

    I wonder ... if Google is able to sync with iPhone, why Lotus isn't ? I'm talking that useless ultralite iNotes !! Only syncing is the right way. I don't want to have to connect to get contact informations ...

    Are google developpers far better than Lotus ones ?

    Regards

  1. 7  Bryan Schmiedeler  | 2/10/2009 6:19:09 AM

    Is Traveler for the iPhone going to be a standalone application or will it coexists/interfere with my personal email/calendar/to dos? It seems to me that Google is taking the later approach? I hope that Lotus does not. My home computer runs Lotus Notes where my work email/calendar/to dos live and I have other apps for my personal email/calendar/to dos.

    It is hard to keep this seperation with current PDA/smart phones (in my experience) and I think it would be a nice selling point for Lotus.

    I wonder what others think?

  1. 8  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 2/10/2009 6:19:58 AM

    @6 thanks for the spam. IBM has already announced plans to ship the same functionality as google put into beta yesterday. Our beta will come soon and then the functionality will ship later this year.

    There are other ways to get your Notes contacts on an iPhone or iPod Touch today, and there are third party solutions for syncing calendars with more to come on the market soon.

    Ultra-light isn't "useless" and has garnered praise from iPhone users. We never said it was going to be the only solution.

  1. 9  Craig Wiseman http://www.Wiseman.La/cpw | 2/10/2009 3:14:26 PM

    @8 - I'm sure this is blindingly obvious to you, but we really need one of two things: Either a "it's shipped" annoucement, or a pretty granular timeline for Beta -> release. Will the beta be open and available for customers? Plans are being made and we're already wayyy late to this ball game.

    Thanks!

  1. 10  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 2/10/2009 3:24:36 PM

    @9 are you listening to the phone call I'm on right now?

    Unfortunately I can't yet announce those next dates. I am pushing hard on getting to beta, especially considering the actions that Google has taken here. We all want to get this out but get it right.

  1. 11  Craig Wiseman http://www.Wiseman.La/cpw | 2/10/2009 4:00:37 PM

    @10 I am Sgt. Schultz.

  1. 12  Brian Benz http://www.softwaresoapbox.com | 2/13/2009 3:57:55 PM

    It's not exactly a robust application, but I have put together a basic code-free way to get Notes contacts onto Google and Yahoo! Address books. Free, just put it on OpenNTF.

    { Link }