App Store submission offers wireless iTunes sync for iPhone
A developer has created an application that allows the iPhone and iPod touch to sync wirelessly with iTunes over Wi-Fi, and plans to submit the software to the App Store later this week.
The software, dubbed "Wi-Fi Sync," requires a separate desktop application on either a Mac OS X or Windows machine that allows the sync to occur over a wireless network. The developer, Greg Hughes, released a video that shows the syncing process with the application, which must first be approved by Apple before it could be released for the App Store.
The first sync includes a pairing process that must only be done once to verify that the iPhone is to be synced with the computer. Once a handset has been paired with a computer by accepting prompts on both devices, iTunes is launched on the computer and begins syncing with the mobile device.
The video shows off the feature with an iPod touch. When the sync is activated, the standard iPhone OS "Sync in Progress" screen, complete with a slide to cancel option, is displayed. When done, iTunes updated to say that the sync was completed and it was OK to disconnect -- just like if the device had been tethered via a USB cable.
Whether Wi-Fi Sync falls within the rules of Apple's iPhone OS developer agreement is unknown, but if the software relies on non-public application programming interfaces, it would likely be rejected. The developer said he believes his application doesn't break any of Apple's rules.
Engadget, which first discovered the video, suggested it would become available on the App Store "in your dreams," but presented the Cydia jailbroken marketplace as a potential alternative. In a comment on his YouTube video, Hughes said he'll consider his options should Apple reject the application.
The software, dubbed "Wi-Fi Sync," requires a separate desktop application on either a Mac OS X or Windows machine that allows the sync to occur over a wireless network. The developer, Greg Hughes, released a video that shows the syncing process with the application, which must first be approved by Apple before it could be released for the App Store.
The first sync includes a pairing process that must only be done once to verify that the iPhone is to be synced with the computer. Once a handset has been paired with a computer by accepting prompts on both devices, iTunes is launched on the computer and begins syncing with the mobile device.
The video shows off the feature with an iPod touch. When the sync is activated, the standard iPhone OS "Sync in Progress" screen, complete with a slide to cancel option, is displayed. When done, iTunes updated to say that the sync was completed and it was OK to disconnect -- just like if the device had been tethered via a USB cable.
Whether Wi-Fi Sync falls within the rules of Apple's iPhone OS developer agreement is unknown, but if the software relies on non-public application programming interfaces, it would likely be rejected. The developer said he believes his application doesn't break any of Apple's rules.
Engadget, which first discovered the video, suggested it would become available on the App Store "in your dreams," but presented the Cydia jailbroken marketplace as a potential alternative. In a comment on his YouTube video, Hughes said he'll consider his options should Apple reject the application.
Comments
Hopefully it will be approved...
This is useful.. But I think it isn't necessary...
Well...there are lots of apps currently on the appstore that are well short of being useful...
Likewise not many of them are necessary, either.
Interesting. Is this a private API call that enables this?
probably not on the iphone side.
the "server" app tricked the iphone into thinking it's connected, the iPhone app's just for connecting it to the "server".
Post if you know about it.
This is useful.. But I think it isn't necessary...
You don't own an iPad, do you?
While it's no big deal to connect the iPhone to your Mac/PC when you get home in the evening, for charging, back up and syncing. The iPad cannot charge via USB in most cases, so you have the strange situation where you have to plug in to sync, then take it away and plug it into the mains for a charge.
There is no real reason not to offer this as part of iTunes, especially when you have thinga like Home Sharing on your computers anyway.
You don't own an iPad, do you?
While it's no big deal to connect the iPhone to your Mac/PC when you get home in the evening, for charging, back up and syncing. The iPad cannot charge via USB in most cases, so you have the strange situation where you have to plug in to sync, then take it away and plug it into the mains for a charge.
So I see you don't have an iPad.
The lower powered USB does in fact charge the iPad, just not when the screen is on.
Would be nice if you could update your podcasts over wifi. Supposedly it can be done, but I can't find out how.
Post if you know about it.
That's what I'd like it for. There are a couple of podcasts from the UK that I like to listen to in the morning when I walk the dog, and I'd like it if there was a way to have them available on my iPod Touch when I wake up, rather than me having to go and plug it into the Mac.
I hope Apple either develop their own way of doing this sync wirelessly, or allow this app. Whilst I agree it's not essential, it would be a nice to have.
But for the most part, syncing makes the most sense if it takes place while also charging, so wireless syncing will never be that useful until you can transfer gb's in seconds.
Apple should offer a limited version of Mobile Me for "free" (I say free in quotes since we pay $30/month for iPhone data plan), one that omits email and large storage space.
With Android and WebOS (and soon Windows Phone 7) offering free cloud-based syncing, it's sad that us iPhone users are forced to use USB cable (unless we pay $100/year for MobileMe or use Exchange Server).
Apple should offer a limited version of Mobile Me for "free" (I say free in quotes since we pay $30/month for iPhone data plan), one that omits email and large storage space.
actually gmail does provide activesync and it's free.
This is useful.. But I think it isn't necessary...
You probably said the same about copy/paste , multitasking, and even third party apps (for the original iPhone. Would you rather the developer create yet another fart app instead?
Yes i see that it wouldn't help with large movies etc, but just for the odd updated few tracks, or for a new podcast etc, this would be very useful. Hope apple either develops this itself, or approves this app!
With Android and WebOS (and soon Windows Phone 7) offering free cloud-based syncing, it's sad that us iPhone users are forced to use USB cable (unless we pay $100/year for MobileMe or use Exchange Server).
Apple should offer a limited version of Mobile Me for "free" (I say free in quotes since we pay $30/month for iPhone data plan), one that omits email and large storage space.
I have to admit, I thought the way you could do pretty much everything through the cloud with the Google phone was a real plus point. Hopefully Apple will do something similar.
Luckily, my macbook charges my iphone while asleep.
Yes, I know the answer is to get her a macbook. Easier said than done.