Spanning Sync 3 Beta 1 Now Available

After months of development and testing, we're happy to announce the first beta release of Spanning Sync 3, available for download now at spanningsync.com/beta-download.

If you're like me you won't read the ReadMe, so here are the five things you absolutely must know:

1. This is a beta. That means there are bugs. Back up your data before you use it.
2. You must quit System Preferences before installing the beta. Then just double-click the Spanning Sync.prefPane included in the download. (If you forget to quit System Preferences first, it will hang when you first launch Spanning Sync—just quit and reopen System Preferences, then reopen Spanning Sync.)
3. Some defaults have changed, so make sure you're happy with them before your first sync.
4. Your first sync will be a refresh sync, so it will take longer than usual. Be patient.
5. There's lots of cool new stuff. Keep reading.

What's New in Spanning Sync 3 Beta 1

• Event alarm syncing
• Customizable alarm types
• Syncs more contact properties, including birthday and nickname
• One-way syncing option for both contacts and calendars
• Option not to sync older calendar events
• One-way syncing for CalDAV calendars
• Much faster sync times
• Reduced memory usage
• Easier installation process
• Uses Sparkle for software updates
• Makes full use of Google's Contact Data API v3.0
• Bug fixes

To those of you willing to help us beta test—that is, to find the bugs we assume are there but which we haven't been able to find yet—thanks! We look forward to getting your feedback, either via email at beta@spanningsync.com or through our new ZenDesk-powered customer support system.

If you're not comfortable running beta software on your most important data (I know, who wouldn't be, right?) just hang tight for now and we'll let you know when it's safe to jump in the pool. Until then here's a sneak peek at some of the new features in the UI:

Comments

[John]

What'll be the policy on upgrade paths?

I have a yearly subscription to the latest software, will everyone be getting v3? Or will it cost more?

[Charlie Wood]

We hate paying for upgrades, so our customers always get free upgrades, both major and minor, for the term of their subscriptions.

Cheers,
Charlie

[Gregor]

Any plans to allow syncing of multiple Google accounts with this version? I need a way to sync both my work Google Apps account and my personal gmail contacts with my Address Book.

[Thomas Menguy]

Hi,
I'm evaluating spanning sync, and really wants to try the beta, but in the downloaded zip ..there is no dmg, nor any spanningsync.app, so how do I install it?

Thanks
Thomas

[Thomas Menguy]

forget my previous post, I'm a complete mac newbe (I've just swtiched few days ago from PC) ...just clicking the prefpan stuff do the tric ...
Thomas

[Charlie Wood]

Thomas-

That's it--just double-click the Spanning Sync.prefPane and it will install itself into System Preferences.

Gregor-

Multiple accounts won't be a feature of 3.0, but it's on our list of feature requests.

Cheers,
Charlie