Mac-to-Mac syncing

Mark/Space today began shipping SyncTogether, the company's new Mac-to-Mac synchronization software for individuals, workgroups and families who need to share and synchronize information. The software offers the ability to easily synchronize all contacts, calendars, notes, email settings and more between their Macs, without requiring an annual subscription service, such as Apple's .Mac. Users have the ability to selectively synchronize defined Address Book groups and iCal calendars across a local-area network, allowing them to share specific information, such as a project schedule or a family events calendar, while keeping personal information private. The software uses Bonjour to easily find other Macs on the network and supports IP addressing for Internet-based syncing. In addition, it offers password protection and data encryption as well as Automator and AppleScript automation.

SyncTogether uses Apple's Sync Services technology found in Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" to synchronize a wide variety of information between Macs. In addition to Address Book contacts and iCal calendars, SyncTogether synchronizes bookmarks from Safari and email account settings and filters from Apple Mail.

SyncTogether also synchronizes information from other applications that use Sync Services, including Microsoft Entourage 2004, Bare Bones Software Yojimbo, Panic Transmit and Mark/Space Notebook. As more applications support Sync Services, SyncTogether will be able to synchronize more types of information, the company said.

"Mac users have been calling for synchronization software that doesn't require an annual subscription fee to synchronize critical information, such as contacts and calendars, between their Macs," said Brian Hall, Mark/Space president and CEO.

"SyncTogether meets that need, but it also goes beyond the simple one-user-with-multiple-Macs case. Selective synchronization of Address Book groups and iCal calendars provides sharing and group-editing of information. Before now, these capabilities were only available to organizations that could afford expensive group calendaring servers. SyncTogether leverages syncing technology in Mac OS X to bring these capabilities to small workgroups and families at home."

A single SyncTogether license supports synchronization between up to three Macs, while each additional license add support three more Macs; a single installer includes English, French and German language versions. SyncTogether is available for $50 (electronic) or $60 (CD) and requires Mac OS X 10.4.8 or later.

by MacNN Staff