tech-tag

Synchronize Google Calendar v2

October 9th, 2006

An overview of the number of ways Google Calendar can be synchronized with applications and devices like Outlook, Cell phones and Ipods.

Here are the main ways that I know of. There are some solutions for mobile devices Ipod and Java compatible cell phones, and some solutions for desktop applications Ical and Outlook.

What Google Calendar offers

The main offers from Google

• Import and export of cvs and ical files, but doing this manually is too much of a hassle.
• Make the calendar available as a feed or a public ical file, but this is read only.
• Texting in events via the cell phone, but they don’t support my service provider.
• An open API which makes it possible to write software which interacts with Google Calendar

Scheduleworld: the Swiss army knife of Google Calendar Synchronization

Scheduleworld is an online calendar service, among other things offers web access, Google Synchronization via API and syncML synchronization. The great thing about this is that the open standard SyncML is supported by many standard cell phones and third party clients are available for services and applications like Outlook.

Engtech has a fascinating guide, on how to put Scheduleworld to full use.

Scheduleworld is free for now, but as I understand it they plan to earn monye adding sponsored appointments to your calendar.

cell phone calendar

The way to synchronize Google Calendar which applies to most cell phones, is by synchronizing via Scheduleworld via the synML client, which is in most cell phones and an Internet connection like GPRS or 3G. Scheduleworld can be set up to synchronize automatically with Google Calendar, whenever a synchronization is requested from the cell phone.

It is possible to sync with advanced cell phones via the free application gcalsync, but I just read on Matthew Millers blog that there is also a commercial solution called Companionlink. I am hoping that this maybe supports more phones.

Ipods

Ipod users can sync one way with the getcals pc application. Or simple downloading the public or private Ical file to the Ipod Calendar folder.

Outlook and other desktop applications
Syncing desktop applications

• Ical:Tuaw.com has published a guide for setting this up in Ical
• Outlook: Grinn Productions has published one for setting one-way sync up in Outlook using the remotecalendars, but this graphic tutorial shows how to-way sync is possible in the current version. With a syncML client for Outlook Scheduleworld can act as middleman.
• Sunbird: One-way synchronization can be archived by subscribing via the public ical address.

If you have a question or know of more ways to sync Google Calendar – don’t hesitate to comment.

Entry Filed under: Cell phone, google calendar