The SyncML initiative publicly released version 1.0 of the SyncML specification, a protocol designed to support universal data synchronization of both remote and local data among various devices. The group also released the SyncML Reference Toolkit source code to enable companies to build SyncML-compliant products.
The specification has been available to the sponsor companies and external supporters since September but only now is available to the entire public for free.
The SyncML initiative was formed 10 months ago in February by sponsor firms Nokia, Ericsson, IBM, Lotus, Matsushita, Motorola, Palm, Psion and Starfish Software. Outside of the founding companies, about 550 external supporting companies have contributed insight and expertise to the development of the specification, said SyncML Chairman Douglas Heintzman.
The group was created to solve the problem of proprietary protocols and client software needed to synchronize data. Only certain devices may synchronize with certain servers under this proprietary system. SyncML was formed to allow any device to sync with any server and other device, as long as all support the SyncML specification. It is designed to allow synchronization locally and remotely through such transports as infrared, Bluetooth, HTTP and WAP over a mobile network.
The Reference Toolkit, first unveiled in May and upgraded in September, was added to validate the assumptions made in the specification, sort of a proof of concept that is also used to attract others to the initiative. The upgraded toolkit includes information for generating SyncML messages for the Palm and EPOC operating systems, as well as Windows 32 Server technology. It also includes a full description of the XML-based SyncML format.
Noticeably absent as either a sponsor or external member is Microsoft Corp., which resisted the initiative’s advances to join the group until it could get its hands on a working copy. Now that v1.0 is available, SyncML members expect Microsoft to evaluate it, and the group has left the door open for Microsoft to participate in the second round of SyncML development if it likes what it sees.
Now that the specification is publicly available, Heintzman said he expects to see many more products and technologies rolled out during the first half of next year supporting it.
Out with a SyncML product is Nokia, which demonstrated the technology on its 9210 Communicator device with a SyncML-enabled Internet calendar solution. Starfish Software, a subsidiary of Motorola Inc., also demonstrated a SyncML-enabled version of its TrueSync technology, wirelessly synchronizing address book and calendar data between a Motorola concept phone and a TrueSync-enabled Excite Planner.
Supporting firms like Openwave Systems Inc. and FusionOne also ratified the specification. Openwave announced it will implement the standard in the next version of its software, while FusionOne made available its own SyncML server and client technology.
