Okay, so if you’re paying attention, Apple is announcing the next major release of the iPhone OS tomorrow. Everyone is on the bandwagon with predictions, wishlists, and leaks. But one is oddly missing. ADHERER
Why on earth isn’t anyone desperate for wi-fi sync? Everyone’s list has the standard most-wanteds, among which are copy-n-paste (which, come on, Apple should have included this early on), push notifications for apps, MMS, uncrippled Bluetooth, video, turn-by-turn GPS navigation, and To-Do List synchronization with Outlook or iCal.
But why doesn’t anyone care about wi-fi sync? For me, this would be a no-brainer. I mean, the technology already exists for the AppleTV. It should be pretty easy to address the issues and include this for the iPhone.
Issues, you ask? What issues? Well, yeah. Apple would be opening up our iPhones for all sorts of hacks. If we inadvertently leave our wi-fi on all the time (which I don’t, since it drains the battery even quicker!), we run the risk of drive-by hacks. Someone could just have an open WAP with the name of “Free WiFi” or “linksys” that our phones would happily glom onto, and then bingo, they would “sync” with our phones to grab photos, contacts, and who knows what other information.
But come on. The Zune has wi-fi syncing and has anyone heard of one such wi-jacking occurring on that platform? And how easy would it be to institute a pairing process similar to Bluetooth pairing or Apple’s own Remote pairing? Just have iTunes and the iPhone have to trade off codes while connected and then the iPhone would refuse to pair with any other iTunes unless the code is changed manually on the phone itself.
Or even better, make it where the syncing process needs to be started manually by clicking on an icon on the iPhone. At least then, I can still control the sync process and I won’t have to trudge upstairs to plug the iPhone in and then wait patiently while it syncs (heaven forbid I walk away from my iPhone and a call comes in!).
In the end, we can control our iTunes and AppleTVs with our iPhones now, via wi-fi, why can’t we exchange other information?
Come on, Apple… make it happen!
What you are asking for is not needed, because something better already exists – Exchange based synchronization. If I am on Wi-Fi, or EDGE/3G, I am always synched. My contacts, calendar events and of course mail are updated on the fly and mail is delivered by push. The only thing that is not synched is music to listen to on the iPod app, but that collection doesn’t change much for me.
So, you should try getting a connection set up on a server at your work or just run a non-Microsoft piece of software to host it yourself?
Cheers
David
I’m a half step ahead of you… I am totally on Google’s bandwagon. IMAP Gmail and Exchange Google Contacts and gCal. Love the wireless sync!
But I guess I should have been more specific… I am indeed desirous of wi-fi syncing for music and videos (and don’t forget photos). I watch/listen to a lot of podcasts and they’re constantly moving in and out of my iPhone and the only way to communicate back to the iTunes mothership that they’ve been watched is to sync. It’s also the primary way (and the only way for larger videos) to get them ON the iPhone.
I think there’s clearly a need for wi-fi syncing. Perhaps it’s not as high on the list as copy-n-paste, but still, there’s a need.
BTW, Exchange Server 2007 costs well over $1,000… so I don’t think that’s viable. So what non-Microsoft solution do you suggest?
-Mike
p.s. be careful with the wireless sync. I gave my girlfriend my old iPhone when I upgraded to 3G. Well, I’d left the wireless sync on. Suddenly we each had this cross-pollination of contacts. Totally had me baffled for a bit as to how her contacts were getting on my phone. Good thing I’d backed up my contacts because she was deleting them at warp speed!
David you are asshole, he’s talkin about sync with iTunes!
Hey, that was a great article. You make some really great points.
I personally think Apple is going too far with the secrecy about their new products. Case in point, the 4th gen iPhone. One gets lost in a bar by a drunk employee, and the person who finds it tries to return it. Apple won’t take it because they don’t believe him, so he sells it to Jason Chen, and they’ve got their panties in a twist about it and are charging him with a felony. I personally find it ridiculous.
Anyway, I’ve written about it on my site. Check it out at http://4thgeniphone.com. Thanks for the read!
I am wanting to say that Apple has a duty to their shareholders to pursue the matter fully. They may back off after they’ve made the proper example.
But in the end, I agree with you. The fault was their employee’s. He wasn’t robbed. He was drunk and stupid. If anyone is to blame, he is. And the moment that Apple refused to take possession of the lost handset, it ceased to be “stolen” in any way, shape, or form, in my opinion.
I believe the EFF has stepped in to help Gizmodo and Jason Chen out. Let’s hope this ends well for all parties.
-Mike