iPhone client?

[bpayst]

The Synthesis client for the iPhone does not appear to be in the app store that launched today with the iTunes 7.7 release. Will it be available soon? If so, any idea when?

[mikepdc]

I'm also interested in the status of a SyncML client on iPhone...

[kikcontains]

i'm interested too!

someone knows the approximate date?

[bpayst]

I got this reply from Synthesis to my e-mailed question. Kind of disappointed that there is no calendar access yet. I plan on pinging my Apple rep to see if they can move that along maybe.

Dear Customer,

this is an automated response to your email asking about availability of a SyncML client for the iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPod touch devices we have announced.

The Synthesis SyncML client for iPhone is written, tested and was posted to Apple within the time frame Apple set for initial submissions to the App Store.

So we've done everything for a timely appearance at the App Store. Unfortunately Apple never guaranteed that all applications would be available at July 11th, and does not share any information about when a particular application will actually get available at the store. We're waiting for it as do many other developers around the world...

Just search for "Synthesis SyncML" in the App Store search or browse the "Business" and "Utilities" categories.

The initial release will be a free download from the App Store, supporting only contact sync. Calendar synchronisation is prepared, but at this time Apple does not allow access to the calendar data yet. The Synthesis SyncML client for iPhone will become a paid application once it is complete with calendar synchronisation.

We hope that it will be a matter of only days until you can download our SyncML client for the App Store. In the meantime, you can visit our iPhone page at http://www.synthesis.ch/iphone.php where you can already download the manual for the software to get a first impression.

Please note that there is no other way than through App Store to deliver the software itself, so you'll have to wait until Apple posts it there.

Thank you for your patience!

support@synthesis.ch
-
Synthesis AG, SyncML Solutions & Sustainable Software Concepts
http://www.synthesis.ch

[taroliw]

Yes, I know a lot of people within Oracle are interested in this too. I'm sad to hear Apple is still keeping parts of their data closed to the API... really bad mistake if you ask me: restricting application developers from doing useful stuff.

I had looked for SyncML in the app store over the weekend but still don't see it. So i guess we just need to wait. Seeing as I *don't* actually sync contact data with OCS, it won't be very useful to me at first. But if the API issues can be resolved them maybe at some point it will be useful.

Keeping my fingers crossed Apple will get on board with true Enterprise integration, rather than just Exchange (*achoo!*).

[luz]

We have posted the iPhone SyncML client to the App Store in time (contacts only at this time, but as a free app for compensation until we can support the calendar).

However, like many other software developers, we are waiting for the review at Apple to complete - the first 500 apps that appeared at July 11th seem to be chosen by criteria not related to in-time submission, nor anything else we could influence. Most probably the selection was "a little bit of everything" and involving pretty much random (which lead to 3 or 4 flashlight programs...).
Apple indicated to us that everything is ok with our app so far and we should just wait and check status - so we hope the application will appear soon.

Regarding the lack of calendar API - I guess it will help if Apple hears from as many (especially corporate) customers as possible that this is a key issue, so if you have a way to let them know, please use it.
Once the API is made public it'll be a matter of weeks until we can support calendar sync - everthing is prepared.

Best Regards,

[taroliw]

Well, that's all fine and well. But there are competitors, like SyncJe (Nexthaus), who developed full solutions via jailbreaking already. I don't know what their plans are for the 2.0 crowd, but my advice is "get creative!" Apple has made it abundantly clear that it doesn't give a s*** about what it's customers say, or 2.0 would have included features like copy-n-paste. So why do we believe that they will hear additional cries from us about opening more of the API? Heck, they have legal restrictions on things like third parties writing applications that do simple things like provide point-to-point directions (using GPS)!

If you are aware who we should be writing to, I have a few hundred folks where I work who would LOVE to start a write-in campaign. Just tell us where to send our tales of woe and angst.

[luz]

We are well aware of competitors, and we have explored the jailbreak path ourselves as well. Accessing the calendar on a jailbroken device is possible, but involves reverse engineering of internal APIs and structures Apple can change with every minor firmware upgrade.

Apple has made it abundantly clear that it doesn't give a s*** about what it's customers say, or 2.0 would have included features like copy-n-paste.

Well, I'm not convinced this is true. Until I have proof they deliberately omit features, I think it's simply a matter of lacking developer power to fulfill all the feature requests right now. As annoying as the current limitations of the iPhone and it's SDK undoubtedly are, as much do I appreciate the strong architectural hand which is very visible in the SDK (and especially its evolution path from the raw APIs - those revealed by the jailbreakers - over 8 beta versions to what is currently in iPhone OS 2.0). But this needs time, and forbids quick bolt-on of requested features.

So why do we believe that they will hear additional cries from us about opening more of the API?

They would certainly not directly admit that they hear it, that's part of the game. That does not mean they actually don't hear...

If you are aware who we should be writing to, I have a few hundred folks where I work who would LOVE to start a write-in campaign. Just tell us where to send our tales of woe and angst.

Organisations and enterprises buying iPhones usually have Apple contacts whose job is to listen to what their customers need. For individuals, posting to Apple discussion boards might also help.

[luz]

Finally, the iPhone client is available on the App Store!

Just follow this link to find it there, or search for "Synthesis SyncML".

Please also have a look at the manual which can be downloaded here

Thank you all for your patience!