iPod & iTunes: The Missing Manual, Fourth Edition

Using iSync on the Mac

Not everybody runs to upgrade their Macs whenever Apple releases a new version of its operating system, and those folks still running Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) or 10.3 (Panther) can’t use those spiffy sync features built into iTunes for contacts and calendars. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the benefits of automatic synchronization of iCal calendars and contacts from the Mac OS X Address Book between Mac and iPod. You just have to call in the cavalry here, or in this case, iSync.

Note

Using iSync to keep contacts and calendars up to date on the iPod works only with Mac OS X 10.3 and earlier. If you’re running Mac OS X 10.4 or later, iTunes is your go-to program for Pod-synchronization.

iSync comes preinstalled on most recent OS X systems. If you can’t find it in your Mac’s Applications folder, you can download a fresh copy for your system at http://www.apple.com/support/isync. With iSync, you can synchronize your address book and calendar with your iPod, Palm-based organizers, Bluetooth-enabled cellphones, and even other Macs (if you have a .Mac account). Part of iSync’s charm is its ability to keep your iPod in perfect harmony with iCal and Address Book—and you don’t have to export, drag, or drop a thing.

To use the dynamic duo of iSync and iPod, you need version 1.2 or later of the iPod system software, which shouldn’t be a problem if you’ve bought an iPod since the spring of 2003.

Once you’ve started iSync, connect your iPod to the Mac with its cable and then ...