NuevaSync (free) utilizes the built-in Microsoft Exchange support in the iPhone to make native synchronization of Google Calendar possible. Most importantly, the service actually uses PUSH (really this time) to propagate changes issued to the calendar immediately. Finally this has been made possible at no cost, without extra software.

Support for anything other than Outlook on the iPhone has been a long standing issue ever since the marveled mobile device was released. As I described earlier on the subject, one had to go through an irritable/expensive rigamarole to get Google Calendar events synchronized with the iPhone or iPod touch. And if you got it working in the end, you either had to make due with some missing data or pay good money for a third-party application to get the job done.

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Wordpress finally puts out its native app for the iPhone. While at first the promising UI aspects look exciting, the application turns out to be a bit of disappointment. It’s definitely a 1.0-application. A short review. Rating:

A bit late in the game, Wordpress finally decided to come out with its application for the iPhone/iPod Touch. The promise is that you’ll be able to blog from anywhere in an easy and robust fashion. I’ve spent some time with this application and ended up with a mixed experience. Robust, yes. Easy, not quite.

Version: 1.0
Price: Free

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Automattic released their first Wordpress application for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch today, shortly after the 2.6 update to their blogging software. This simple app interfaces with any self-hosted or Wordpress.com-hosted weblog and allows you to edit and post entries on the go.

I’ve downloaded the app to my trusty iPod Touch and will be reviewing it extensively once I’ve had the chance to play with it. From now on, not having a computer around will undoubtedly no longer be an excuse to lag on blogging.

The Apple craze was ignited once more since the launch of the iPhone 3G. People waiting in line to spend money, while signing ludicrously expensive carrier contracts, makes me wonder if all this folly is justifiable, sometimes. While 3G and GPS may be interesting enough, the revelation of the iPhone as a platform turns out to be the true point of excitement.

As expected, the usual craze started after the latest installment of the Apple iPhone was officially launched. Immense queues started lining up in front of Apple Stores while people went berserk to get their hands on this piece of gadgetry. One may wonder: “Is it all worth it?”. Since I don’t own an iPhone 3G, I’ll leave the review up to the pros, whom are spread thickly over the net. This Google search should get you going in case you’re the type to research a big investment as such before you buy.

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Impress your friends and family with some cool tricks you can do with an iPhone or iPod Touch:

More info at HotTrix.

iBeer

iMilk

iBug

iMunchies

When the 1.1.3 firmware upgrade came along for the iPod Touch, I decided to hold off a little. The additions to the OS were Mail, Maps, Stocks, Notes and the customizable Home Screen. The upgrade cost 20 USD or 17.99 EUR. Short thereafter 1.1.4 was released, which caused the notification for the ‘January Software Upgrade’ to disappear.

Afterwards I decided to purchase the upgrade anyway, but couldn’t find a trace of it anymore. The link on Apple’s website points to a page in iTunes, but clicking on the ‘OK’-button resulted into a blank page. Over and over again.

After some Google-foo I found the following link: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=271872604&s=143441. From here, I was perfectly able to purchase the update after all.

I wonder why Apple doesn’t make it easier for them to haul in even more money.
Ah well.

(Source: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1418496&tstart=0)

Synchronize multiple (primary and secondary) Google Calendars to Outlook and your iPhone/iPod Touch for free with OggSync.

• Download OggSync 3.22 for Outlook (direct link)
• www.oggsync.com

The iPhone and iPod Touch don’t support calendaring very well out of the box. Apple provides some rudimentary implementation for Microsoft Outlook on the Windows side (the majority of the user base is Windows-users – after all). And that’s pretty much where it stops. Most likely, when the iPhone SDK makes its debut the tables will turn once the third-party developers get their foot behind the door, but for now we’re stuck with Outlook.

The only way to get your Google Calendar(s) onto the iPhone* (i.e. without hacking) is to go through Microsoft Outlook. This means you’ll have to subsequently synchronize your calendars with Outlook and then with the iPhone. Furthermore, the latest version of the ‘Home & Student’ edition of Office [2007] doesn’t come equipped with Outlook anymore, like previous iterations used to. If you’re a Windows user and want calendaring on the iPhone, you’ll have to acquire Outlook first.

Lame, I know.

The secondary calendars dilemma

The problem with Google’s own syncing app for Outlook is that it only supports 1 calendar, the primary calendar. If you like a certain structure in your events, like I do, this will rapidly become a problem. If you want, it is possible to merge all your calendars into one. In that case, you can go ahead and sync to Outlook with Google’s own app.

In order to accomplish a merged primary calendar, you can:

• Move the events to your primary calendar, or
• Export your entire secondary calendar and import them into your primary calendar

(Google promises to make the multi-calendar feature available in the future, but doesn’t specify a date)

OggSync (Google-Outlook Sync) to the rescue

For those who refuse to make such a sacrifice (hell, I do) there’s a free app out there called OggSync. It’s an Outlook Add-In that supports primary and secondary calendars seamlessly and best of all, it’s free. It docks right into the standard Calendar view as a toolbar and provides you with a few options. Once you’re set, all you need to do is hit the ‘Sync’-button. Magically, GCal events will start to trickle into your Outlook Calendar…

After that, plug in your iPhone and sync away.

Pros:

• Full support for all your calendars
• Support for both Outlook 2003 AND 2007
• Pro version available, but optional
• Free!

Cons:

• A bit of a hassle, but heck, it’s better than nothing, no?
• No calendar coloring support [yet] in Outlook 2007
• An occasional freeze, but they don’t usually linger for long

Download OggSync 3.22 for Outlook (direct link)

Notes

*: You can also access your Google Calendars via the Safari browser on the iPhone. However, this is a static view and means you cannot add or edit events. Furthermore, you will need WiFi availability in order for this work. Experience has shown you don’t usually have wireless around when you need that desperate peek at your calendar.