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The Question
I had a question to ask the experts, but first let me explain the situation at hand.
Cloud computing is being touted as the technolgy to be used today. Less than a week ago, it was reported in a leading USA-based newspaper that "90% of the global population has access to wireless connectivity." :erm: The author of that article clearly has little or no understanding of the global situation. If he sees wireless connectivity to include GSM networks, he may have a point there. Even so, much of the cellular world remains stuck in GPRS/EDGE territory. South Africa, being Africa's most developed country, does not even have 4G at this stage, but LTE. LTE being 3.9G and not included in the definition of 4G.
Wireless connectivity of whatever kind remains expensive, unreliable and certainly does not allow for effective broadband access to the supposed ninety percent of the global population. Even where it is present and functioning, it remains dearly expensive and not within the monetary reach of the majority of users out there.
In the past, many users have used applications like Nokia PC Suite, which allowed for proper synchronising of data between a user's mobile phone and his computer. Contacts, calendar, notes, to do's, documents and media files could be kept in sync via USB cable, infrared, wireless networking or Bluetooth, all without the need of an internet connection.
Nokia lost much of its user base because it took away much of the functionality of said software, then called OVI Suite. It unwisely excluded Windows Phone devices such as the Lumia. Over time, some functionality was restored by Nokia in their once again renamed application, Nokia Suite. It still requires MS Outlook to function, sadly, yet it can now sync data with the Nokia Lumia range of products.
Apple never offered an in-house application that provided the very same functionality, but a cheap alternative called myphonedesktop was available.
With the boom in Android devices, various phone sync apps appeared on the market.
Windows users who own iPhones nowadays mostly use Companionlink to sync data between their computers and phones. This seems to be the only application that can actually sync data without the "cloud." However, it does require MS Outlook to be doing so.
Windows users who are using alternayive office suites such as the excellent LibreOffice or the somewhat quirky OpenOffice, have an excellent organizer/PIM application to their avail: EssentialPIM comes in crippleware and paid versions. The crippleware version still allows for direct sync between an iPhone and computer or Android devices and the computer. The paid version adds much more functionality including cloud sync options as well as multi-user and networking functionality.
Many users like myself need a proper sync service between computer + phone + tablet and we prefer a cable syn option as we operate where the cyber cloud is as elusive as the raincloud covering the very same semi-desert regions of Africa. The lack of cyber cloud also is evident elsewhere in Africa, but also in Asia, Australia, Oceania and South America. Even many users within the USA and Canada still do not have proper wireless connectivity.
Manufacturers of mobile phones and computer systems are prematurely trying to force users through the cloud and this is where the problem arises. The technology simply is not in place yet and it may take another decade or so to be getting there. Meanwhile, we need our computers to work flawlessly and reliably, with seamless integration.
I have seen a Macbook Pro sync calendar/tasks/notes/contacts with an iPhone 5 myself. However, many users visit forums and complain about iPhone 4S, iPhone 5 and Macs running Mountain Lion not being able to sync. Some seemingly will sync and others simply won't. There seems to be an inconsistency in user experience regarding this kind of integration. also, iCloud gets rapped over the knuckles even by users based in New York, for "not functioning at all."
Now my question: are there reliable, proven non-cloud ways to sync iPhone contacts/calendar/tasks/notes between:
- MS Windows 7 or 8
- MS Outlook 2010 or later for Windows
- MS Outlook for Mac 2011
- Mac OS X Mountain Lion (up-to-date installation)
I will please need your response in writing, as I need this information to be posted on a public forum with/without mention the source (you) but at least being able to say that it comes from "Apple experts." Most importantly, however, this will need to be used in a medium- to long-term business decision-making process.
The Solution
As you say, if wireless connectivity means GSM, then 90% could be possible, but there is no way that 90% of the global population has internet access. Even a quick look at a site like http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm shows the numbers to be nowhere near that, closer to 35%.
With regards to non-cloud, USB based sync of iPhones:
Windows 7/8: you can sync contacts with the bundled address book application, but you need something like Outlook if you want calendar/e-mail settings sync
Windows Outlook: USB sync currently works for contacts, calendars, mail settings, but even so, we have users that experience constant issues with the sync process (iCloud sync possible via iCloud Control Panel download from Apple)
Outlook for Mac: sync with iPhone via USB or Cloud no longer possible at all, user must use bundled Apple products (Mail, Contacts, Calendar) - Microsoft specifically doesn't support the sync; MS also dropped sync for Google Calendars and Contacts from the latest update of Outlook for Mac
Mac OSX 10.8: most reliable non-cloud, USB based sync possible - done via iTunes - e-mail settings with Mail, contacts with Contacts, calendars with Calendar, notes with Notes, reminders with Reminders
Basically, the best way to sync an iPhone, be it USB or via iCloud is with a Mac using the included software and iTunes.
Although some users still experience sync problems with a mac + iPhone, there are so many variables at play (3rd party apps, user meddling with the system files etc) that it's impossible to narrow it down to a specific cause, not to mention that the vast majority of iCloud users have no issues at all.
Finally, thanks to Simon Torr of Digicape and Christelle Engelbrecht of iStore, as well as the kind gentleman from Baton Rouge, Louisana, who did the sync as shown in the picture. It is evident that Apple provides the best, also the only in-house sync solution in the entire computing industry as neither Windows nor Linux offer this out of the box.
Combined with iWork, NeoOffice, Kingsoft Office, LibreOffice or OpenOffice, one will be able to conduct business, share & sync data across devices and be on top of your ICT needs with the minimum fuss.
Well done, Apple and a big thanks to the helpful staff
:erm: I meant that Apple and not Apply........
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