Missing Sync for Windows Mobile Version 4.0 Now Shipping
Version 4.0 of The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile is now available for purchase or upgrade via the Mark/Space website. Version 4.0 introduces support for cool, new devices running Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6 operating system (WM6), including the HTC Touch, Motorola Q9 and T-Mobile Wing. New device support also includes those devices with manufacturer- or carrier-supplied Windows Mobile 6 OS upgrades, such as the Qtek 9000 and T-Mobile Dash. These devices may now connect and synchronize over Bluetooth and USB.
In addition to support for WM6 devices, version 4.0 of The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile also adds several new features.
Video Importing – Videos taken with camera-enabled Windows Mobile devices can now be imported separately from photos and either placed into a folder of the user's choosing or sent straight to an iPhoto album.
Video Encoding and Download – QuickTime-compatible videos that are free of any digital rights management (DRM) protection can be dragged and dropped onto The Missing Sync, which will encode the videos for mobile playback and send them to the specified location on the device or its memory expansion card. Video playback requires an MP4-compatible video player application on the device, such as Windows Media Player Mobile 10.
Phone Call Log Access – The new Call Log plugin reads the complete call log history from Windows Mobile devices and stores it on the Mac, where the included Call Log application for Mac OS X provides sorting, filtering, searching and even annotation for all inbound, outbound and missed calls. Tight integration with Address Book allows the Call Log application to gather additional information, such as contact photo and company name, from matching Address Book entries and display that information when a call is selected. The Call Log app also makes it easy to add new Address Book contacts from call data at the click of a button. The Call Log application also supports exporting its data to Excel or a database for further manipulation, a boon for those who need to track and bill for their time.
SMS Text Message Log Access – The new SMS Log plugin reads the text message history from Windows Mobile devices and stores it on the Mac. The included Mac OS X SMS Log application will then display all sent and received text messages grouped by sender. Spotlight technology searching makes it easy to find specific text within a discussion, and Address Book integration similar to the Call Log app provides additional functionality.
The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile sells for $39.95 (download) from the Mark/Space website. CDs will be available soon for $49.95 plus shipping and handling. Upgrades from previous versions and other qualifying Mark/Space products cost $24.95, while purchases of version 3.0 made on or after June 1, 2007 qualify for a free upgrade to version 4.0.
Please visit the Mark/Space website to purchase or upgrade to version 4.0.
New Windows Mobile Edition Hailed as Better than Windows ActiveSync!
In his recent blog entry covering the release of The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile v4.0, Matthew Miller, ZDNet's Mobile Gadgeteer, states: "The Missing Sync v4.0 beats the pants off of Microsoft's ActiveSync." Thanks, Matthew. We couldn't agree more!
It seems that Paul, known as "The Man" over at MoDoCo, a long-time PC user who just got his first Mac, agrees. He writes: "The number of supported sync options puts ActiveSync / WMDC to shame in a big way. Call log sync, video encoding for download to the device, SMS message syncing and many other options are things Windows users can only dream of. Oh the irony!"
In a guest post on the Technically Speaking blog, "thefl0yd" compares Windows Mobile devices paired with The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile against the iPhone: "With the excellent Mark/Space 'Missing Sync' product, my WM devices sync to my Mac even better than the iPhone does (built in drag and drop video conversion - something iTunes STILL lacks, Sync support for: Contacts, Calendars, Bookmarks, iTunes Playlists, Video, Call Log, Files, Notes, Photos, SMS, and Tasks.)"
If you or someone you know uses a Mac and has a Windows Mobile device to sync, there's no excuse for not getting The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile today!
Important Info on Windows Mobile 6 Device Password Protection
With the recent release of version 4.0, The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile now supports devices that run Windows Mobile 6 (WM6). Unfortunately, support for WM6 password protection is not available in this release. This means that WM6 devices with device-side password protection enabled are not able to complete the connection process with The Missing Sync.
We are working to include WM6 password protection support in a future update. In the meantime, there is a workaround that will allow these WM6 devices to connect and synchronize. If you have password protection enabled on your WM6 device, simply follow the steps below to get it connected and synced up.
Deactivate the password protection feature on your WM6 device.
Connect it to your Mac running version 4.0 of The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile via USB or Bluetooth.
Synchronize.
Once the synchronization process has completed, disconnect your device and reactivate password protection.
Though it will add a few extra steps to the connection process, the workaround outlined above will give you the best of both worlds (synchronization and security) until we're able to finalize support for WM6 password protection.
Hoping for a Symbian Version of The Missing Sync?
Missing Sync editions are now available for all major smartphone operating systems, save one. There's a Missing Sync for BlackBerry devices, one for Palm OS devices and one for devices running Windows Mobile. But if you use a device based on the Symbian OS, like the new Nokia N95, Motorola MOTORIZR Z8 or Sony Ericsson P1i, there isn't a Missing Sync edition to match.
Well, it wouldn't be like us to sit on our laurels, and we're seriously considering a Symbian version of The Missing Sync. If you would like to see Mark/Space release such a product, please click on over to our Symbian Survey and let us know. If you have friends who don't get this newsletter but want to use their Symbian-based phone with their Mac, please tell them about our survey.
New Astraware Games in the Mark/Space Online Store
We've recently added the very latest mobile games from leading developer Astraware.
For Palm OS
Astraware Solitaire for Palm OS – Astraware Solitaire includes the 12 most popular solitaire games: Klondike, Pyramid, Spider, Clock, Yukon, Canfield, Four Seasons, Sultan's Harem, Idiot's Delight, Golf, Calculation, and Freecell. Rendered beautifully for mobile displays. $19.95 for Palm OS.
Cake Mania: Back to the Bakery for Palm OS – Back to the Bakery is an expansion pack to Cake Mania, winner of Best Casual Game of 2006. Cake Mania: Back to the Bakery includes all the culinary chaos of the first game along with brand new bakery levels and customers and can be installed separately without the original game. $14.95 for Palm OS.
Tradewinds 2 for Palm OS – Tradewinds 2 is the sequel to Tradewinds, the best-selling game of Far East trade and pirate adventures. Tradewinds 2 offers a brand new adventure based in the exotic seas of the Caribbean. Building on the trading fun of the first game, Tradewinds 2 features 20 all-new ports to explore, new ships and weapons to buy and upgrade, new goods to trade in, and a brand new feature: tasks to complete for honor and reward. $19.95 for Palm OS.
For Windows Mobile
Astraware Solitaire for Windows Mobile – Astraware Solitaire includes the 12 most popular solitaire games: Klondike, Pyramid, Spider, Clock, Yukon, Canfield, Four Seasons, Sultan's Harem, Idiot's Delight, Golf, Calculation, and Freecell. Rendered beautifully for mobile displays. $19.95 for Windows Mobile.
Tradewinds 2 for Windows Mobile – Tradewinds 2 is the sequel to Tradewinds, the best-selling game of Far East trade and pirate adventures. Tradewinds 2 offers a brand new adventure based in the exotic seas of the Caribbean. Building on the trading fun of the first game, Tradewinds 2 features 20 all-new ports to explore, new ships and weapons to buy and upgrade, new goods to trade in, and a brand new feature: tasks to complete for honor and reward. $19.95 for Windows Mobile.
Check out these cool titles and more in the Mark/Space Online Store.
Careers at Mark/Space
Mark/Space's growth continues, and we still have more open positions to fill in our Los Gatos, California offices. This newsletter's readership was instrumental in helping us find the right candidates for positions we've mentioned in the past, and we really appreciate it!
So, if you (or anyone you know) is passionate about Macs and mobile devices and might be considering a job change, Mark/Space wants to hear from you. Please visit our Careers page to learn more about our available career opportunities. Even if you don't see a position there that interests you, we're growing, so we're always happy to receive rŽsumŽs from Mac and mobile computing enthusiasts.
Version 4.0 of 
Mark/Space's growth continues, and we still have more open positions to fill in our Los Gatos, California offices. This newsletter's readership was instrumental in helping us find the right candidates for positions we've mentioned in the past, and we really appreciate it!