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Google Calendar synchronization

Posted: Saturday, 18.09.2010 19:47
by geohei
iPhone provides a built-in Calendar App. It can be used to synchronize with Google Calendar. Works perfectly since #4 months on my iPhone (read, modify, create). Automatic sync with Google server (read, modify, create - web interface) and Thunderbird Lightning (read, modify, create).

Let's assume following Google Calendar account:

Name: John Smith
Google Calendar login username (e-mail): john.smith@gmail.com
Google Calendar login password: susanna
Calendar ID: john.smith@gmail.com

How to configure iPhone:

Settings >
Mail, Contacts, Calendars >
Add Account... >
Add CalDAV Account >

Server: www.google.com
User Name: john.smith@gmail.com
Password: susanna
Description: Main Calendar

(Advanced Settings)

Use SSL: ON
Port: 443
Account URL: https://www.google.com:443/calendar/dav ... l.com/user

If the Google Calendar account homes more calendars, the second (and following) Calendar ID might look like this (slightly different format as first Calendar ID):
"bxgfsr7sh52rla5hvnkjrrr5ks@group.calendar.google.com" (username before @ has 26 characters)

The new Account URL will be:
Account URL: https://www.google.com:443/calendar/dav ... e.com/user

That's how it looks like:
my_calendar.png
my_calendar.png (46.21 KiB) Viewed 7774 times
Alternative methods (Apple App Store):
- CalenGoo for 5.49 €
- gCalendar for 2.39€
CalenGoo.png
CalenGoo.png (76.02 KiB) Viewed 7774 times
gCalendar.png
gCalendar.png (89.04 KiB) Viewed 7774 times
Firefox shows Google Calendar as below:
Google Calendar Firefox.jpg
Google Calendar Firefox.jpg (116.53 KiB) Viewed 7768 times
Thunderbird provides an extension called Lightning:
Google Calendar Thunderbird.jpg
Google Calendar Thunderbird.jpg (136.56 KiB) Viewed 7768 times

Re: Google Calendar synchronization

Posted: Wednesday, 06.10.2010 22:49
by geohei
Google Calendar offers since a few days access to a Microsoft Exchange Server holding all Calendar data.

How to configure iPhone:

Settings >
Mail, Contacts, Calendars >
Add Account... >
Microsoft Exchange >

Account Info:
Email: john.smith@gmail.com
Server: m.google.com
Domain: (leave Optional)
Username: john.smith@gmail.com
Password: susanna
Description: Main Calendar
Use SSL: ON

Mail: OFF
Contacts: OFF
Calendars: ON
Mail Days to Sync: No Limit
Mail Folders to Push: Inbox

Likes:
1. Easy configuration, making obsolete the CalDAV method described in previous article.
2. Subscribed calendars can be included.
3. Push service (works within 1-2 seconds !!!)

Dislikes:
None so far ...

Notes:
The colored dots in front of the event change. I still don't know how to control this?

This article is interesting, but doesn't provide all necessary steps:
http://www.google.com/support/mobile/bi ... opic=14252

The biggest advantage is the almost instantaneous Push service. No matter whether a new event is created or changed (any change!) on iPhone, Thunderbird or Google Calendar webpage, it takes maximum 2 seconds before all connected calendars are sync'ed!

Please read the attached .pdf (German). It's from c't 21 2010 starting page 164.

Re: Google Calendar synchronization

Posted: Thursday, 07.10.2010 08:39
by fwilli
Super!

Merci


Ciao

Re: Google Calendar synchronization

Posted: Monday, 22.11.2010 17:53
by geohei
Issues, drawbacks , and dislikes ...

1. the color of the dot left of the calendar on iPhone can't be changed.
2. read only calendars not possible.

http://www.apfeltalk.de/forum/tutorial- ... ost3180748