Should MobileMe support SyncML?

As I understand it, SyncML isn't really the most modern of calendar-sharing protocols. CalDAV is much better. Yet, Mass Asay agrees with Fabrizio Capobianco that it's a shame that the new Apple MobileMe doesn't support SyncML. I guess I'm really left wondering what opportunity was lost when Apple chose to support CalDAV and didn't support SyncML. Couldn't SyncML be added to the iPhone via a third-party extension? Sure, making it a plug-in is never as good as having it baked in, but how big a deal is this? Anyone?

Funambol plans its MobileMe alternative

Funambol is stepping up to the plate with an open-source alternative to MobileMe. Initially it will sync contacts, and later, calendars. Don't expect to see any demos in Apple stores, but early adopters will spread the word quickly if it's a good alternative.

SpanningSync vs. MobileMe

SpanningSync is the obvious calendar sync competitor to Apple's new MobileMe. It's $25 a year or $65 for a one-time purchase. Yesterday the company annnounced it had passed 20,000 paid subscribers.

My complaint? SpanningSync uses Google Calendar as its back end. Google's privacy policy is never likely to be as strong as Apple's.

Now, if SpanningSync were able to develop its own back end, undercut Apple's $99 MobileMe price because it's just syncing calendars, and provide a privacy policy as good or better than Apple's, then I'd probably have to buy an iPhone.

iPhone syncers: Does $99 a year work for you?

Does $99 a year work for you? That's what Apple's new over-the-air MobileMe calendar sync costs. Of course you're paying for a lot besides that, including 20GB of storage. For us who only want calendar sync, we'd like something a bit cheaper. Never buy more calendar sync than you have to, I always say!

So, will Apple allow cheaper competition to MobileMe?

Mobile Me to drain more Apple swamp -- at what cost?

This morning, Apple's demoing MobileMe with over-the-air iCal sync from any iPhone. Still waiting to hear what it will cost. I'm sure it won't be free.

Report: Mulberry does CalDAV best

Over a Zimbra's blog, Mike Morse writes:

"If you want strict [CalDAV] specification adherence in a cross-app & cross-platform thick-client: Our winner is Mulbery for Linux, Windows, & Mac. In addition to being a Swiss-army-knife of protocols, it’s also Open Source."

Sunbird, watch out!

Jon Udell's how-to-publish series; Sunbird flakiness

Jon Udell recently published a series of blog posts on how to publish your calendar on the Web for free. They're useful tutorials. So far, he's covered Outlook 2007, Google Calendar and Apple iCal. I guess I should do the Sunbird tutorial.

Does anyone else find Sunbird itself a bit flaky, though? I've seen some strange things...entries that don't show up until later, and then are hard to delete, unless you quit Sunbird and restart.