Apple Releases New Versions of iCal and iSync

Apple today announced the immediateavailability of iCal 1.5.1, an update to Apple's powerful and easy to usecalendar program, and iSync 1.2.1, an update to Apple's breakthroughsynchronisation software. In addition to managing multiple calendars andsharing them over the Internet, iCal now includes an all-new interface forcreating and managing event details and improved support for working acrosstime zones. iSync, which allows users to instantly sync their Mac addressbook and calendars with their mobile phone, Palm OS device, iPod and otherMacs, now delivers calendar support for Symbian-based smart phones andsupports new mobile phones from Sony Ericsson, extending Apple's lead inintegrating with Bluetooth-enabled phones.

“iCal and iSync give Mac OS X users access to their contacts and calendarswherever they go — on their mobile phones, Palm OS PDAs and iPods”, said Rob Schoeben, Apple's vice president of Applications Marketing. “Used together with .Mac, Apple's suite of Internet services, iCal and iSync allow users to effortlessly sync important information across multiple Macs”.

iCal was the first calendar program to introduce calendar publishing andsubscribing over the Internet, enabling access to shared calendars from anyInternet-connected computer using .Mac or any WebDAV server. iCal users canco-ordinate schedules with friends, family and colleagues, and access a widecommunity of public calendars for events such as concerts, movies andsporting events. New features of iCal 1.5.1 include a simplified Info Drawerto view and edit all event and To-Do details in one panel; time zone supportto schedule and view events worldwide using any time zone; unlimitedcustomised calendar colours; keyboard shortcuts to hide and view calendarsor create and edit events; and the ability to run AppleScripts triggered byiCal events.

iSync 1.2.1 adds complete calendar synchronisation support for Symbian-basedsmart phones such as the Nokia 3650 and 7650, and the Sony Ericsson P800.With the addition of the Sony Ericsson T616 and Z600, iSync 1.2.1 supportsover 20 mobile phones from Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Siemens.

Pricing & Availability:

iCal 1.5.1 and iSync 1.2.1 are available immediately as free downloads from102.p.syniva.es/ie/software. Publishing calendars on the Internet requires a.Mac membership or access to a WebDAV server and Mac to Mac synchronisationrequires a .Mac membership. .Mac is available as a subscription-basedservice for £69 (inc VAT) per year through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorised Resellers. New Macintosh customers can sign up for a free, 60-day .Mac trial at www.mac.com. A list of iSync-compatible devices is available at102.p.syniva.es/ie/isync/. iCal 1.5.1 and iSync 1.2.1 require Mac OS X version 10.2.5 or later.

Press Contacts:
Apple UK and Ireland Public Relations
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0)20 8218 1440