Coming soon: updating your iPod calendars automatically

[Pieter]

I'm currently working on a program that updates your iPod calendars automatically when you insert it. This could be useful if you want to take your Google Calendars with you wherever you go. No command-line configuration needed; it can be set up to use the calendars you want from within the program interface.

The program's not finished yet, but I want to know what you think of the concept. Would you consider using it?

[Nogg3r5]

Is there anyway we will be able to use this without Outlook? Outlook leaves me with a nasyy taste in my mouth!

[Ryan Wagner]

He doesn't say anything about Outlook but mentions Google Calendar, and in that case I think it would be awesome. I assume that this also works independently from iTunes or any other synchronization software. Also, were you planning on making this free?

[Pieter]

Of course. I hate shareware!

Yes, it will work independently from iTunes. If you use ephPod or something similar, no problem. The program just needs access to the iPod folder structure.

This program will pick up any .cal file from the internet you want and put it on your iPod. Google Calendar just happens to use the .cal format, which allows you to copy it to your iPod without converting anything.

[Nogg3r5]

Apologies, I only got my iPod the other day, I dont know much about it yet. Until I read this post I wasn't aware of the calendars feature.

iTunes states that you need Outlook installed to use calendars on the iPod.

[Pieter]

Apologies, I only got my iPod the other day, I dont know much about it yet. Until I read this post I wasn't aware of the calendars feature.

iTunes states that you need Outlook installed to use calendars on the iPod.

Correct. However, it is also possible to put .cal files in the Calendars directory on your iPod. This will work too.

[Nogg3r5]

AH ok. I understand now. Obviously .Cal is the format that iCal uses on the mac, hence it supporintg it. Also isnt .Cal one of the Microformats??

[Pieter]

Microformats? You mean that new functionality in Firefox 2? I don't know.

[Ryan Wagner]

Hmmm, the Firefox 2 feature is Microsummary. I'm not sure what the Microformat thing is. 

[Pieter]

Our good friend Wikipedia has an article about this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microformats

More details on the program: it will be called iPodCALsync. Here's a screenshot:



This is almost the entire GUI of the program. Of course, that's because the program doesn't require any more configuration than this. For technical reasons, you can "only" choose up to five calendars. If you require more, just ask.

[Ryan Wagner]

Looks great, let me know when you have the program ready and I'd love to post about it.

[Pieter]

Great! I'm getting ready for release of v0.1 as I stomp a few bugs that are still left. I also want to have the website up today.

[Pieter]

iPodCALsync v0.1 is up and ready for download! You can find it at http://ipodcalsync.ueuo.com/.

If you have Adblock (Plus), you might want to add the filter '*achmedia.com/*', because my free web host started injecting popups into every site they host. If anybody knows a free web host that can provide PHP, at least 20MB of web space and manual text ad insertion, please let me now.

Direct link (FreeWebHostingArea.com; might not work)
Backup mirror (Scarlet.be)

Of course, please let me know what you think. If you encounter an error, post it here or on the iPodCALsync forums so that I can fix that as soon as possible.

[Ryan Wagner]

Awesome...we should have an article up later today about it!

[Ashley Wagner]

Great work pdedecker! Just finished our write-up about it