Google sync w/ iPod touch

[dvenardos]

So I finally broke down and ordered the new iPod touch which will be used as my PDA since I don't have a smartphone.
Does anyone know what the difference is between setting up the iPod to use Google email, calendar, and address book versus using the Google Sync mobile app?

What I want is to be able to schedule calendar events when offline and have them sync when I have wifi access and hopefully the same with address book, but not as critical because that doesn't change as often.

[k_t]

It works exactly the same on my ipad as my iphone using using google's moblie sync app. I assume the ipod is the same, but maybe not?

[k_t]

According to google, it's the same for the ipod touch

Set Up Your Apple Device for Google Sync

[dvenardos]

http://www.google.com/support/mobile/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=161769

Mail, Calendar & Contacts Sync: Comparing Google Sync vs. IMAP vs. Mobile Browser
Google Sync synchronizes Gmail, Google Calendars, and contacts with your mobile device. You can use the Google services directly in the built-in Mail, Calendar and Contacts application on your device.
Google Sync offers some advantages over using IMAP on your device. Most importantly, it allows for content to be pushed to your phone within seconds after changes occur on the server. On the other hand, using Gmail Drafts from your device is not possible via Google Sync.

On iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices, the Gmail web application offers the most comprehensive features and the best experience for most users. But for users who prefer using the native Mail application Google Sync offers an alternative way to access their Gmail account.

Hum, sounds like setting up natively will work best for me.

[Jed M]

I actually use both. I prefer the ipod app for email and google sync for the Calendar. Mostly for aesthetic and UI reasons, but if I had to choose just one or the other I would go for sync, but luckily I don't have to. I just really think one excels for email and the other excels for calendar.

[dvenardos]

So how do they act differently? I guess I will have to play around with it when I get it next week. My biggest concern is what is going to give me the best functionality when I am offline.

I actually use both. I prefer the ipod app for email and google sync for the Calendar. Mostly for aesthetic and UI reasons, but if I had to choose just one or the other I would go for sync, but luckily I don't have to. I just really think one excels for email and the other excels for calendar.

[Jed M]

Sorry, I actually have that wrong. I went back to give you a better description and realize I am using the web browser for the Calendar and the Ipod app for email. The web browser is the most useful because it is basically a carbon copy of what you are used to with apps, only smaller. I prefer using the Ipod app for email because I can have all three of my accounts and switch back and forth on the fly. I only use one calendar, so I just leave my browser always signed into that account and I just prefer the way the calendar looks in the browser as it carries over all my colors where the Ipod app only carries over the labels, but not the colors. I also prefer how it can display the days events with a split screen with the monthly calendar view where with the Ipod app you have to zoom into that day; you will see what I mean if that doesn't make sense. Overall its not a big deal if I had to use one over the other as they are both pretty slick, but that little blurb you copied is pretty accurate as far as the browser being the most useful, but the Ipod app maybe being a little more user friendly (IMO for email mostly). Bigger lines, faster response, able to switch accounts on the fly equal a better experience, albeit not as capable, but 90% of what the browser gives you in a very, very slightly better interface.

[dvenardos]

It's here. :dancer:

and wow is this thing thin!
Need to find a cover for it...

[dvenardos]

In case anyone is curious the integrated gmail setup in the iPod touch attempts to setup your gmail account using IMAP and google sync is just google's name for the exchange server that they run. For some reason the iPod couldn't setup the IMAP account with google (even though I have it enabled and have set it up that way on another PC) so I just setup the google sync and since I will only use email when online that will be fine. I need to test the calendar when offline but if it performs as promised it should work fine.

On a side note I am glad that I got the touch before trying to use the iPad as an ereader. Even though the new screen on the touch is gorgeous I can't read a book on a backlit display (too much eye strain) and definitely need to go with an eInk display.