iSync Upgraded With Support For Symbian Phones, iCal Upgraded With New AppleScript Support

by , 1:00 PM EDT, October 8th, 2003

In addition to announcing Panther and Panther Server today, Apple also released new versions of iSync and iCal. iSync 1.2.1 is Apple's technology for syncing information between digital devices, maintaining bookmarks across different Macs, and syncing your Address Book with .Mac's online webmail service. The new version of iSync adds support for new phones (listed below), including phones based on the Symbian operating system. iCal 1.5.1 includes new interface enhancements, and the ability to trigger AppleScripts from iCal. From Apple:

Apple today announced the immediate availability of iCal 1.5.1, an update to Apple's powerful and easy to use calendar program, and iSync 1.2.1, an update to Apple's breakthrough synchronization software. In addition to managing multiple calendars and sharing them over the Internet, iCal now includes an all-new interface for creating and managing event details and improved support for working across time zones. iSync, which allows users to instantly sync their Mac address book and calendars with their mobile phone, Palm OS device, iPod and other Macs, now delivers calendar support for Symbian-based smartphones and supports new mobile phones from Sony Ericsson, extending Apple's lead in integrating with Bluetooth-enabled phones.

iCal was the first calendar program to introduce calendar publishing and subscribing over the Internet, enabling access to shared calendars from any Internet-connected computer using .Mac or any WebDAV server. iCal users can coordinate schedules with friends, family and colleagues, and access a wide community of public calendars for events such as concerts, movies and sporting events. New features of iCal 1.5.1 include a simplified Info Drawer to view and edit all event and To Do details in one panel; time zone support to schedule and view events worldwide using any time zone; unlimited customized calendar colors; keyboard shortcuts to hide and view calendars or create and edit events; and the ability to run AppleScripts triggered by iCal events.

iSync 1.2.1 adds complete calendar synchronization support for Symbian-based smartphones such as the Nokia 3650 and 7650, and the Sony Ericsson P800. With the addition of the Sony Ericsson T616 and Z600, iSync 1.2.1 supports over 20 mobile phones from Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Siemens.

Pricing & Availability
iCal 1.5.1 and iSync 1.2.1 are available immediately as free downloads from www.apple.com . Publishing calendars on the Internet requires a .Mac membership or access to a WebDAV server and Mac to Mac synchronization requires a .Mac membership. .Mac is available as a subscription-based service for US$99.95 per year through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. New Macintosh customers can sign up for a free, 60-day .Mac trial from www.mac.com. A list of iSync-compatible devices is available at www.apple.com/isync . iCal 1.5.1 and iSync 1.2.1 require Mac OS X version 10.2.5.

You can find more information about iSync and iCal at Apple's Web site.

The Mac Observer Spin:

We are also delighted to see the new AppleScript support in iCal. Being able to trigger AppleScripts from iCal means new worlds of functionality and service, and we expect to see some very interesting developments from the Mac community based on this.

Apple