CNET thinks there is a battle brewing:
synchronization software is shaping up as a key battleground for Apple and Microsoft. As consumers shift spending away from PCs to more portable devices, such as cell phones or digital music players, controlling the key element for synchronizing data on these devices with computers is becoming increasingly important, say analysts.
On the Apple side, John Robb points out the obvious: iSync needs to be open. In theory it is, using SyncML to communicate with certain devices (cell phones). The big question is how open iSync will be on the computer side. Will there be APIs that allow non-Apple software to use iSync, and what about APIs for other connection types (Pocket PC USB, Zaurus USB, etc)?
On the Microsoft front, are they ready to treat ActiveSync as a key technology instead of a mere component of a larger device strategy? Right now Microsoft is in underdog mode when it comes to devices — they don’t concern themselves with anything that will not generate revenue. Bundling ActiveSync with Windows and opening it up to support non-Microsoft devices will not sell more Pocket PCs.
iSync vs. ActiveSync? Puh-lease. Neither company is very keen on creating software or standards that benefit other platforms. Even if iSync is completely open, I wouldn’t expect Pocket PC support anytime soon — it doesn’t provide enough benefit for any MS business unit. Perhaps a third-party will step forward.
