Filed under: Macintosh, Windows Mobile, Productivity
The Missing Sync: synchronize your Pocket PC with a Mac
by Brad Linder Nov 16th 2006
If you're a Mac user, but prefer Windows Mobile PDAs to Palm, you've probably heard of The Missing Sync. It's one of the best known 3rd party applications for synchronizing a Pocket PC with a Mac. It also claims to be the only Mac synchronization program that will work with Windows Mobile 5.0.
Version 3.0 throws a few new features into the mix.
Notes synchronization: Since Mac OS X doesn't sort notes the way Microsoft Outlook does, The Missing Sync 3.0 includes a notebook program for OS X. It includes support for text, pictures, and voice memos. You can categorize your notes, and search for them with Spotlight.
File and folder synchronization: You can choose folders and files on your PDA and computer that you want to keep synchronized. So if you have an Excel spreadsheet for tracking your business expenses, you can update it at home or on the go, and when you sync your PDA both copies will be updated.
iPhoto and iTunes integration: Sync photo albums and The Missing Sync will automatically resize pictures for display on your Windows Mobile device. Select an iTunes playlist and it will be copied to your PDA. The Missing Sync will not convert protected AAC audio files purchased through iTunes, but you can transfer mp3s and podcsts.
Other updates: Synchronize Safari bookmarks with Pocket Internet Explorer, and Address Book photo contacts.
The Missing Sync is available for $40. Users upgrading from previous versions can get a copy for $20.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris said 12:54PM on 11-16-2006
The upgrade is great. I switched over to the Missing Sync from Pocket Mac because they were first to the table with WM5 support (Please...iphone...please...). Version 3 is great...the iLife integration is really nice. The article doesn't mention it but if you had purchased version 2.5 after Oct 1 they are offering a free upgrade. I purchased at the end of September and they were kind enough to give me a free upgrade as well (can't hurt to ask!)
Chris
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j-lon said 7:24PM on 11-16-2006
How did Pocket Mac work for you Chris? I don't need WM5 support, but I might need to run the program under Panther, which you can't do with the new version of the Missing Sync?
I'd love to hear your thoughts. I've seen pretty bad reviews of both these programs on version tracker, so I'm trying to determine whether it's (1) worth the investment and (2) if it is whether there is a significant difference between the functionality of these two programs.
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Chris said 3:11AM on 11-18-2006
Overalll, I found pocketmac to be very much more difficult to use. It's only my opinion but it felt like much more of a hacked together bunch of little apps instead of one unified app. That being said, it did work for what I needed it for. As far as functionality, they seem to have all of the same functionality except for the WM5 support :)
Chris
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Claude Gelinas said 10:44PM on 11-21-2006
Maybe you're like me, a fan of the good'ol keyboard.
The Missing Sync helps me quickly synchronize my Pocket PC with my iMac but, for the time being, I only use it for my contacts' data.
Eventually, I may expand my use to pictures (iPhoto) and music (iTunes) but I'm not there yet.
For the awesome convenience it provides, this software is well worth the price... and I recommend it!
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