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wireless itunes sync
- Thread starter northernbaldy
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Why (is it a PITA)? Do we currently have any device that incorporates that behavior? Why should the iPad be any different?
Probably not... but it'd be a great OS upgrade if it did - either via WiFi or bluetooth.
Actually, what I'd like to see is an iPad that didn't need to be tethered to a computer at all. I think one of the great things about the iPad is that it can replace a regular computer for many things, and for many people. If you need to sync it every now & then (for OS upgrades, etc), that's going to be a problem for people like my mother-in-law, who has no computer (currently on webTV). The iPad would be a computer she could use. But, I'll have to occasionally sync it to my laptop... which will be tricky since I'll have my own iPad too.
If they would just make iTunes a native app, that'd solve 90% of these issues. it'd still be nice to sync for backup, but you wouldn't "need" to do it. For me it'd be a blessing just to download new Podcasts automatically. That's about the only reason I sync my iPod touch.
When I got my iPod touch, the first thing it tells you to do when you turn it on is to sync it to a computer. You can't do anything else till this happens. This is a little frustrating, and I think will be more so with the iPad.
Actually, what I'd like to see is an iPad that didn't need to be tethered to a computer at all. I think one of the great things about the iPad is that it can replace a regular computer for many things, and for many people. If you need to sync it every now & then (for OS upgrades, etc), that's going to be a problem for people like my mother-in-law, who has no computer (currently on webTV). The iPad would be a computer she could use. But, I'll have to occasionally sync it to my laptop... which will be tricky since I'll have my own iPad too.
If they would just make iTunes a native app, that'd solve 90% of these issues. it'd still be nice to sync for backup, but you wouldn't "need" to do it. For me it'd be a blessing just to download new Podcasts automatically. That's about the only reason I sync my iPod touch.
When I got my iPod touch, the first thing it tells you to do when you turn it on is to sync it to a computer. You can't do anything else till this happens. This is a little frustrating, and I think will be more so with the iPad.
I would argue that an iPad is "more" than a large iPod Touch and needs to sync wirelessly or even operate completely independent of any desktop computer. Normally an iThing is useless out of the box until you tether it to a "mothership" via usb. If this were true for the iPad, I think Apple would have missed an opportunity to distinguish this device as "something more" and are instead following the path of least resistance and allowing the software to work the same as it does on iPod Touch and iPhone. Would this prevent me from buying iPad? No. But I'm already annoyed that my Ipod Touch doesn't have this capability and I think Apple would be missing an opportunity to delight the customer by omitting this capability. The last device I owned with the ability to sync entirely via wifi was a Palm TX. Come on, Apple! You can do it!
The stupid iPhone takes FOREVER to sync. I can't imagine the iPad would be any different.
Until syncs are easy and quick, you won't see them go wireless, even over wi-fi.
Until syncs are easy and quick, you won't see them go wireless, even over wi-fi.
...also every single time you walk into your house do you really want your iPhone/iPad/iTouch/iPod asking if you want to sync it?
Not really, but if there were a sync app that I could run when I wanted to then that would be a much better option. Also, I would really like to backup to my Time Capsule.
Similar to this function I'd like to see music and movies streamed from my desktop to the iPad. Sort of like iTunes works from my desktop to my laptop.
...also every single time you walk into your house do you really want your iPhone/iPad/iTouch/iPod asking if you want to sync it?
I'd imagine if wireless sync would exist, then it would be part of the remote application from Apple. You'd have to open the application in order to sync just like you would need to if you unchecked the auto sync in iTunes (in this case it'd be forced, but you can't have everything you want).
Until Apple provides this with a native app you can use something like Simplify2 for music - works great. Not sure if there's a similar app for video - haven't looked around but it wouldn't surprise me. Agree this will be nice to have.
Overall, I think this wireless syncing is possible given that the iPad has an 802.11n radio. I also think media syncing in the cloud is coming sooner than others seem to think. I believe a robust service will be offered by Apple within say 18 months, possibly 12.
...also every single time you walk into your house do you really want your iPhone/iPad/iTouch/iPod asking if you want to sync it?
Actually yes, that would great! If it did it as a background process without me knowing it i'd absolutely love it.
...also every single time you walk into your house do you really want your iPhone/iPad/iTouch/iPod asking if you want to sync it?
Actually, I want this. When my computer is in proximity and hasn't been sync'd in a while, I want my iPhone to pop up and ask "Do you want to wirelessly sync?"
Obviously this should be configurable like all other notifications.
My wife also needs this. She sync's her iPhone about once every 3-4 months unless she has recently bought a bunch of music.
Me too
This thread a month old, but I wanted to throw a "me too" out there. I don't use my iPod Touch for music (and might not use a future iPad for music either). It's a terrific portable computer for point-and-touch access like email, calendar, and mobile websites, and I have other iPods for the gym.
But, I don't understand why I can't sync things like Address Book and Bookmarks from the Mac to the iPod/iPad. I really shouldn't have be move something like the iPad into my crowded office just to update my Address Book! I can get email and calendar syncs thru ActiveSync, but I get get my personal contacts loaded on the device unless I plug it into the Mac?
This shouldn't too hard for Apple, or even a 3rd party app. Post any suggestions here!
This thread a month old, but I wanted to throw a "me too" out there. I don't use my iPod Touch for music (and might not use a future iPad for music either). It's a terrific portable computer for point-and-touch access like email, calendar, and mobile websites, and I have other iPods for the gym.
But, I don't understand why I can't sync things like Address Book and Bookmarks from the Mac to the iPod/iPad. I really shouldn't have be move something like the iPad into my crowded office just to update my Address Book! I can get email and calendar syncs thru ActiveSync, but I get get my personal contacts loaded on the device unless I plug it into the Mac?
This shouldn't too hard for Apple, or even a 3rd party app. Post any suggestions here!
Not to troll, but I think the Zune does this as well. Don't own one so can't say for sure.
I think MarkSpace's Missing Sync also supports wireless sync of devices with iTunes. They call it Proximity Sync or something like that.
Thanks for refreshing this topic.
Top of my wish list:
1. an update to the remote app to allow for wireless streaming (Simplify Media like) of music, videos, photos, etc.
2. wireless back up of purchased content (iTunes audio, video, etc).
Fingers crossed
Top of my wish list:
1. an update to the remote app to allow for wireless streaming (Simplify Media like) of music, videos, photos, etc.
2. wireless back up of purchased content (iTunes audio, video, etc).
Fingers crossed