iSync Public Beta Released

Apple has released the much anticipated beta version of iSync, which was first demoed at Macworld in July. iSync synchronizes calendar and contact information between Mac OS X and mobile devices including Palm OS handhelds, iPods and Bluetooth-enabled wireless phones. .Mac customers will also have the ability to sync data between multiple computers, regardless of which was most recently updated.

iSync 1.0 Beta runs only on Jaguar version 10.2.1 or later and utilizes the system's Address Book along with Apple's recently released iCal calendar application. Support for Palm OS comes as a separate iSync component and requires Palm Desktop 4.0 be installed.

Due to the delayed beta release of iSync, Apple has extended its free trial period for .Mac in order to give iTools users a chance to test the service's synchronization capabilities with iSync. Apple announced in July it would begin charging iTools members at the end of September and renamed the service to .Mac. .Mac signups have only reached a fraction of what iTools garnered and it is likely Apple hopes the release of iSync will convince more customers to pay the $99 yearly membership fee.

Apple has created a feedback page for users of the iSync beta to report bugs and request features. iSync may be downloaded from Apple, and release notes are available that detail which features are not currently supported.