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Mac OS X Services in Snow Leopard

Mac OS X Services let one application supply its powers to another; for example, a Grab service helps TextEdit paste a screenshot into a document. Most users either don't know that Services exist, because they're in an obscure hierarchical menu (ApplicationName > Services), or they mostly don't use them because there are so many of them.

Snow Leopard makes it easier for the uninitiated to utilize this feature; only services appropriate to the current context appear. And in addition to the hierarchical menu, services are discoverable as custom contextual menu items - Control-click in a TextEdit document to access the Grab service, for instance.

In addition, the revamped Keyboard preference pane lets you manage services for the first time ever. You can enable and disable them, and even change their keyboard shortcuts.


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Problem Solving | 02 Sep 2009 | Listen  | Print Printer-Friendly Version of This Article | Comment (10)

Missing Sync Helps Palm Users Connect with Snow Leopard

by Doug McLean Send Email to Author

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Handheld maker Palm has been moving away from its legacy Palm OS for some time now, with its latest product being the webOS-based Palm Pre smartphone. Nonetheless, older Palm OS-based handhelds - including the Centro, Treo, Tungsten, and Zire - have worked fine with the Mac, at least until the release of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.

In Snow Leopard, the Palm OS support for synchronization via iSync is no longer present, making it impossible to continue syncing your Palm OS-based handheld with Address Book and iCal. However, you need not toss your handheld into the obsolete technology dustbin just yet, since The Missing Sync for Palm OS from Mark/Space can provide the synchronization capabilities you need in Snow Leopard. (Reportedly, the ancient Palm Desktop 4.2 continues to work in Snow Leopard as well, though its sync components won't give you connectivity with Address Book and iCal.)

The Missing Sync for Palm OS enables users to synchronize contacts, calendars, and tasks with Apple's Address Book and iCal, as well as with Microsoft Entourage. It can also synchronize music, photos, and videos in both directions. Document syncing capabilities are set up such that you can actually view and edit files with compatible handheld applications such as the Mark/Space Notebook, Yojimbo from Bare Bones, and Entourage. The Missing Sync for Palm OS also lets you archive text messages and call logs to the Mac (for Treo and Centro phones only) for searching or for billing purposes.

The Missing Sync for Palm OS costs $39.95 for new users, and owners of any other Mark/Space product can crossgrade for $29.95.

 

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Comments about Missing Sync Helps Palm Users Connect with Snow Leopard

Mark M.  2009-09-02 12:37
What about syncing with the outdated, but still working under Leopard 10.5.8, Palm Desktop 4.2.2?
Adam Engst  An apple icon for a TidBITS Staffer 2009-09-03 05:47
No idea - anyone tried it? I don't have a working Palm OS device here any more to test with.
James I Fraser  2009-09-07 18:51
Yes it works in a hit & miss affair, more misses, many repeating coflicts, duplicate events - generally not good
Danniel  2009-09-07 20:21
What does that mean - is the Mark/Space software not working properly when syncing the Palm Handheld with Palm Desktop on the Mac, or do you write about the sycing software of Palm itself?
Adam Engst  An apple icon for a TidBITS Staffer 2009-09-08 07:28
This comment was about using the obsolete Palm Desktop software, not The Missing Sync for Palm OS (which is current and up to date).
Danniel  2009-09-14 21:37
So Missing Sync for Palm OS syncs the Palm handheld perfectly with Palm Desktop on a Mac Computer?
Adam Engst  An apple icon for a TidBITS Staffer 2009-09-15 05:07
No, the Missing Sync for Palm OS syncs your Palm handheld with iCal and Address Book. Palm Desktop had its own syncing solution called HotSync, if I remember right.
Dave Crockett  An apple icon for a TidBITS Contributor 2009-09-08 04:43
I'm still using Missing Sync under Snow Leopard. The bluetooth sync is entirely broken from my Palm Centro but I seem to be limping along with my USB connection. The beta upgrade offered by Missing Sync didn't help the bluetooth issue.
E. Daras  2009-09-14 00:07
Same for me with a Palm TX Network/USB ok but no BT synchro possible.
Dave Crockett  An apple icon for a TidBITS Contributor 2009-09-14 11:05
Just discovered that telling the Mac bluetooth sys pref that my phone is 'non-compliant' got it to work. Didn't have to do that before....