Palm Pre App Catalog. 30 Apps in 30 Days. Day 21: Roundup of WebOS non-Cloud Based Sync Options

Posted on 21 August 2009, at 8:00 am, by Doug Goldring

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There are a number of apps available for the Palm Pre which require a specific hardware or software configurations. Since I do not have all of the right equipment, I will not be able to go into too much detail, but I wanted to mention them in the interest of ensuring a complete series. So, read on for a few additional sync options designed for your unique needs.

Echo for Palm Desktop: This app allows you to sync your Palm Pre with the Palm Desktop software. Echo will give you true two-way sync via any wireless network. The great thing about syncing via Wi-fi is that you do not need to worry about a hardware connection or sync cable. Likewise, unlike syncing via the Internet, you do not need to worry about passing your private PIM data over the web. Using the Palm Desktop software, Echo creates a direct sync between your Palm Pre and your Windows PC. You can download a 7-day trial from the App Catalog, but you will have to pay later to unlock all of the features after that time.

Fliq: This is a basic Internet bookmarks sync option for fans of Apple’s Safari. It allows you to transfer your Safari bookmarks from you Mac to the Palm Pre. You can then access these bookmarks through the WebOS web browser. Not that this currently works only with Mac, and it does require that you load Missing Sync as well. A PC version is expected to be coming soon.

The Missing Sync: Fans of Windows Mobile probably remember The Missing Sync. This is the app which allows your device to talk with your Mac. Using The Missing Sync, you can sync your iCal, iTunes, iPhoto, and plenty more, including documents, contacts, and other files. A PC version is expected to be coming soon. You can download a 7-day trial from the App Catalog, but you will have to pay later to unlock all of the features after that time.

Pocket Mirror: This is the app which all of you Outlook users have been seeking. Most of you may have noticed that while WebOS does a great job of syncing with Google’s Gmail and your Exchange server, it does not do so well when you try to connect it to your computer to sync your contacts, emails, and other PIM information. This may be a bit of a shock for Windows Mobile users who are used to finding this feature included with the Operating system. Just like Echo, this will sync your calendar and contacts via wireless network. Support for Tasks and Notes sync is coming soon. You can download a 7-day trial from the App Catalog, but you will have to pay later to unlock all of the features after that time.

I was pretty impressed by all of these sync options. Although none of them worked for my needs (I use the native web sync), they each really expand the functionality of the device.