Filed under: Utilities, Features, Windows, Macintosh, Windows Mobile, Microsoft, Commercial, Freeware, Mobile Minute
Alternate Windows Mobile Synchronization programs - Mobile Minute
by Brad Linder Apr 2nd 2007 at 10:00AM
Windows Mobile owners have had a love/hate relationship with Microsoft ActiveSync for years. Sure, it's a lifesaver when you want to synchronize data with Outlook. But it doesn't do a great job of managing multiple partnerships, transferring files between your PC and PDA, or synchronizing with Macs.
Microsoft has replaced ActiveSync in Vista with a new Mobile Device Center. But here's a few programs that might help if you're running Windows XP. Most aren't alternatives to ActiveSync so much as add-ons.
ACiD Sync is still in beta, but it already shows a lot of promise. It does one thing, and does it well. That's synchronize data between your PC and a storage card on your device every time you cradle your PDA or sync over Bluetooth or WiFi. You must have ActiveSync installed for this to work.
If you've ever tried copying a large file from your PC to your PDA using ActiveSync you know that it's slow-going. ACiD Sync manages this task much, much faster. It also provides a nice progress meter to give you an idea of how long you'll have to wait for the synchronization to complete.
Microsoft has replaced ActiveSync in Vista with a new Mobile Device Center. But here's a few programs that might help if you're running Windows XP. Most aren't alternatives to ActiveSync so much as add-ons.
Acid Sync
ACiD Sync is still in beta, but it already shows a lot of promise. It does one thing, and does it well. That's synchronize data between your PC and a storage card on your device every time you cradle your PDA or sync over Bluetooth or WiFi. You must have ActiveSync installed for this to work.
If you've ever tried copying a large file from your PC to your PDA using ActiveSync you know that it's slow-going. ACiD Sync manages this task much, much faster. It also provides a nice progress meter to give you an idea of how long you'll have to wait for the synchronization to complete.
ACiD Sync will eventually come in three flavors, Lite, Standard, and Professional. Right now only the Lite version is available. That means you can synchronize between just one PC and one storage card.
It's important to note that what ACiD Sync does is create a "My ACiD Sync" documents folder in your "My Documents" folder on your PC and on your storage card. These are the folders that get synchronized. If you prefer a different file structure, you'll have to move your files manually after synchronization.
One of the most intriguing features of ACiD Sync is support for scripts. For example, one user-generated script automatically downsamples MP3s before transferring them from your PC to your PDA.
ACiD Sync Lite is available for $9.95. There's a free trial that lets you perform 25 synchronizations before expiring.
MobSync
MobSync is another program that synchronizes files and folders on your PC with your PDA. It's a little slower than ACiD Sync, but much more customizable.
You can choose whether to synchronize them manually or automatically, and exactly which folders you want to synchronize. For example, I use Juice to automatically download podcasts to a "podcast" folder on my PC. I use MobSync to synchronize that folder with a "podcast" directory on my SD card. Every hour the program checks for changes and copies or deletes files as needed.
MobSync will set you back $8. There's a 30-day free trial available. Or if you don't need Windows Vista support, you can download an older, freeware version.
BirdieSync
BirdieSync lets you synchronize your contacts, calender, mail, tasks and mail with Thunderbird.
But wait, Thunderbird is just an email program, right? Well sure, but like most Mozilla projects, it includes a number of add-ons, including the Lightning extension which adds a calendar. BirdieSync can also synchronize data with Mozilla Sunbird calendar.
It's very easy to set up and integrates with ActiveSync 4.2 or 4.5. All you have to do is uncheck the default calendar, contacts, tasks, and email and select the new Thunderbird versions (cards, events, mails, and tasks).
The only downside to BirdieSync? A 19.95 € price. There is a 21-day free trial available.
The Missing Sync
The Missing Sync makes BirdieSync look cheap, with a $40 price tag for the downloaded version, and $50 for a CD-ROM copy.
That said, this program is pretty much essential if you've got a Windows Mobile device and a Mac. The Missing Sync allows you to synchronize all of your data with Address Book, iCal, Microsoft Entourage, iPhoto, iTunes, and other Mac programs.
Since Mac doesn't have a program that corresponds with the notes function on Windows Mobile devices, the latest version of the program includes a notebook application for OS X.
Like ACiD Sync and MobSync, The Missing Sync also lets you choose files and folder on your PDA to synchronize with files and folders on desktop or notebook. But unlike the other programs, the Missing Sync is made to work with Macs.
It's important to note that what ACiD Sync does is create a "My ACiD Sync" documents folder in your "My Documents" folder on your PC and on your storage card. These are the folders that get synchronized. If you prefer a different file structure, you'll have to move your files manually after synchronization.
One of the most intriguing features of ACiD Sync is support for scripts. For example, one user-generated script automatically downsamples MP3s before transferring them from your PC to your PDA.
ACiD Sync Lite is available for $9.95. There's a free trial that lets you perform 25 synchronizations before expiring.
MobSyncMobSync is another program that synchronizes files and folders on your PC with your PDA. It's a little slower than ACiD Sync, but much more customizable.
You can choose whether to synchronize them manually or automatically, and exactly which folders you want to synchronize. For example, I use Juice to automatically download podcasts to a "podcast" folder on my PC. I use MobSync to synchronize that folder with a "podcast" directory on my SD card. Every hour the program checks for changes and copies or deletes files as needed.
MobSync will set you back $8. There's a 30-day free trial available. Or if you don't need Windows Vista support, you can download an older, freeware version.
BirdieSync
BirdieSync lets you synchronize your contacts, calender, mail, tasks and mail with Thunderbird. But wait, Thunderbird is just an email program, right? Well sure, but like most Mozilla projects, it includes a number of add-ons, including the Lightning extension which adds a calendar. BirdieSync can also synchronize data with Mozilla Sunbird calendar.
It's very easy to set up and integrates with ActiveSync 4.2 or 4.5. All you have to do is uncheck the default calendar, contacts, tasks, and email and select the new Thunderbird versions (cards, events, mails, and tasks).
The only downside to BirdieSync? A 19.95 € price. There is a 21-day free trial available.
The Missing SyncThe Missing Sync makes BirdieSync look cheap, with a $40 price tag for the downloaded version, and $50 for a CD-ROM copy.
That said, this program is pretty much essential if you've got a Windows Mobile device and a Mac. The Missing Sync allows you to synchronize all of your data with Address Book, iCal, Microsoft Entourage, iPhoto, iTunes, and other Mac programs.
Since Mac doesn't have a program that corresponds with the notes function on Windows Mobile devices, the latest version of the program includes a notebook application for OS X.
Like ACiD Sync and MobSync, The Missing Sync also lets you choose files and folder on your PDA to synchronize with files and folders on desktop or notebook. But unlike the other programs, the Missing Sync is made to work with Macs.