PodSync is a small utility that automatically copies waiting files to your iPod when it's plugged in.
PodSync uses the Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0. If you get a "failed to initialize" or "missing dll" error, your PC is missing the .NET Framework. Please see the online FAQ for more information on how to get these files. PodSync should be compatible with any iPod that has the "Enable Disk Use" setting turned on.
PodSync works by keeping track of items that you want to put on your iPod. When you connect your iPod later, these items are copied to the appropriate place. For example, you can tell PodSync to copy a calendar file, which will show up in the iPod calendars menu after syncing. Note that PodSync does not copy music, photos, or videos to your iPod. Please use iTunes for this functionality.
PodSync Basic contains the core functionality of PodSync - it provides a convenient interface that you can drag-and-drop files onto, so that they are copied to your iPod next time it is connected. You can copy calendars, contacts, notes, or misc. files for storage on the iPod. The Pro version includes a wide variety of features for automatic syncing - with no intervention on your part.
For example, if you want to copy your latest Google Calendar to iPod with PodSync Basic, you would login to your calendar, download the iCal version of the calendar, and drop it on the PodSync window in the "calendar" section, so that it is copied on next sync. By dropping it onto the PodSync window, you no longer have to remember to copy it yourself next time you plug in your iPod - just drop files on PodSync and forget about them. But you do need to download the latest calendar next time it changes and you plug in your iPod, so it always has the most current version. With PodSync Pro, you can instead copy the Google Calendar iCal file address provided by Google into PodSync, and it will automatically download the latest calendar every time you plug in your iPod. You never have to worry about copying it again!
There are many such features in PodSync Pro, and they are described in detail later in this document. Note that all of the functionality in PodSync Basic is in PodSync Pro, as well as the additional features.
If PodSync is running it will detect when your iPod is connected, and automatically sync your files. You can also force a manual sync anytime if you'd like to make sure.
When PodSync runs for the first time, it will ask you the name of your iPod. This is the name that Windows Explorer shows in My Computer for your iPod, and is usually the same name that iTunes will show when your iPod is connected. If PodSync can't seem to detect when your iPod is connected, try checking that the Windows name is typed in correctly. Type the name in the box provided, and press "OK". PodSync will then use this iPod name to search for an attached iPod at regular intervals. When an iPod with the correct name is detected, syncing will occur automatically.
Tip: you can actually use PodSync for any connected drive. Simply enter the name of the drive that you see in Windows Explorer, and files will automatically be copied over when the drive is attached. This can be handy for general backup purposes.
To force a manual sync, right-click the tray icon or anywhere on the PodSync program window, and select "Sync Now". There is also a "Sync Now" button on the main window and on the Options page.
All of the file syncing features of PodSync are easily available by drag and drop. Simply drag files over the appropriate button, and drop to add it to the queue. Your files are copied to a "holding area" where they will wait for your iPod to be connected.
PodSync has four buttons corresponding to the item types you can add to your iPod: "Calendars", "Contacts", "Notes", and "Other Files".
If PodSync is hiding, simply drag your files to the window edge where it is hiding, and it will appear for you.
Anytime you want to see what files are waiting to be copied, you can click the corresponding button (calendars, contact, notes, or files), and a new Windows Explorer window will open the "holding area" folder for you. You can delete files or add them directly to the holding area if you'd like.
Tip: you can activate PodSync with drag/drop even if it isn't running. If you drop files or folders on the desktop shortcut, PodSync will start up, then ask you which folder to put them in (calendars, contacts, notes, or files, as well as "none" if you made a mistake and just wanted to start the program, or "quit" in case you didn't even want to start PodSync). PodSync will immediately attempt to sync these new files with your iPod, if it is connected. You can even select to quit PodSync as soon as the sync is complete, so PodSync only runs briefly when you add new files.
Export your calendar items and tasks from your favorite calendar software in iCal or vCal format. Drop the calendar files onto PodSync, and they'll be added to iPod's calendar.
Export your contacts from your email software in vCard format. Drop the contact files onto PodSync, and they'll be added to iPod's address book.
Drop any text-based files onto PodSync, and they will be added to iPod's Notes list.
iPod can be used just like a USB flash drive - just drop files or folders onto PodSync that you'd like to backup or take with you, and they'll be added to a new "Files" folder on your iPod for storage.
The PodSync window is dockable to any edge of your computer screen, and it auto-hides when not in use. Simply drag files over to the location where PodSync is hiding, and it will re-appear for you. This makes it easy to keep PodSync ready for adding files or auto-syncing, without cluttering your taskbar or desktop with extra windows. PodSync uses very little memory while idle, so you can leave it running all the time.
You can change which screen location PodSync is docked to in the Options page, and you can also turn auto-hide off if you always want the PodSync window visible.
The "home" button at the top left of the PodSync window will take you to the Options Page, where you can configure PodSync. You can also get to the Options Page by right-clicking the tray icon or anywhere on the PodSync program window, and selecting "PodSync Options...".
All of the basic settings for PodSync are available on the "General" tab of the Options Page:
Keep PodSync window on top - PodSync will always stay on top of all other windows.
Show scrolling messages - PodSync will show a scrolling message area when turned on. If you turn this off, the status area will disappear and the PodSync window will become smaller. The Options page always shows detailed status messages, even if this is turned off.
Two-way sync - PodSync will remove files from your iPod that are no longer in the "holding area" if this is turned on.
Automatically sync when iPod is connected - As soon as your iPod is connected, PodSync will update it. If this is turned off, you can sync anytime by pressing one of the "Sync Now" buttons or menu items.
Ask before overwrite - if you drag duplicate files onto PodSync, it will ask you before overwriting files in the holding area. If this is turned off, PodSync will automatically overwrite the files, without asking.
Check for update - PodSync will check for newer versions every couple of weeks. Update checks only occur when you are exiting the software, so that your syncing activity isn't disrupted. PodSync will tell you if a new version is available, and what has changed since the last version so you can decide if you want to download it. If there is a newer version, you can go to the downloads page to get it (click "Yes"), ignore that version (click "Skip"), or don't worry about the update, but check again next time you quit the software (click "Not Now").
PodSync Pro includes automatic syncing features for every major area - Calendars, Contacts, Notes, and Files.
On the Options Page, there is a tab for each of these areas, where you can configure the behavior.
When you first install PodSync, you have have a 30-day trial period to test the full functionality.
In order to continue using the PodSync Pro features after the trial, you must purchase an inexpensive license. On the Options Page "General" tab, there will be a link to purchase a license if you have not already done so. When you receive your license key via email, please enter it in the textbox provided on the General tab, and click "Apply" to activate. You may also go to the purchase page directly by clicking here.
PodSync can automatically update your iPod with the latest calendar items from Google, Yahoo, and other iCal-compliant programs:
Google - simply paste the URL to your Google Calendar into the box. You can copy as many as you'd like, one per line. Click here for instructions to find the URL from Google.
Yahoo! - To sync your Yahoo! calendar, please log in to your calendar online, then go to "Options" - "Import/Export", and click the "Export to Outlook" option. Yahoo! will create a file called Yahoo.csv. Simply drop it on the PodSync calendar button so it copies to the holding area, and it will be converted to iPod format and synced with your iPod during the next sync process. Yahoo! does not offer a sophisticated format like iCal yet, so this is a little more work for you than the Google Calendar. As soon as Yahoo! offers a more automatic way, we will implement it.
Other iCal programs - any program that stores its calendar data in iCal format can be synced, if you know where the iCal file is. Simply find the file, and drop it onto the list in the Other tab. The latest version will always be copied to iPod.
PodSync can automatically keep your iPod contacts up to date from Gmail, Yahoo!, or other vCard files:
Gmail - To sync your Gmail contacts, please log in to Gmail, then go to Contacts (on left side), and click on "Export" (top right). A popup window will ask which format (Gmail or Outlook). You can choose either one, then click "Export Contacts" and save the file. Simply drop it on the PodSync contacts button so it copies to the holding area, and it will be converted to iPod format and synced with your iPod during the next sync process. Gmail does not offer an automated API for contacts yet. As soon as Gmail offers a more automatic way, we will implement it.
Yahoo! - To sync your Yahoo! contacts, please log in to your address book online, then go to ""Import/Export", and click the "Export Now" button next to "vCard, Zip of .VCF files". Yahoo! will create a file called yahoo_ab_vcf.zip. Simply drop it on the PodSync contacts button so it copies to the holding area, and it will be converted to iPod format and synced with your iPod during the next sync process. Yahoo! does not offer an automated API for contacts yet. As soon as Yahoo! offers a more automatic way, we will implement it.
Other vCards - Any program that stores its contacts as vCards can be synced, if you know where the vCard files are. Simply find the file you want, and drop it onto the list in the Other tab. The latest version will always be copied to iPod.
PodSync Pro can automatically split your notes to fit iPod's 4kb limit. This is just like built-in PodNote! Simply check the box, and your longer notes will be split into short "chapters", with previous and next links for easy navigation.
PodSync Pro has great features that enable it to be used as an auto-backup program for your important files (using iPod as an external hard drive).
There are two options: auto-sync folders, or auto-sync files:
Auto-Sync Folders - you can drop any folder onto the Auto-Sync Folders list box, and it will be automatically copied to the iPod during the sync process. In addition, whenever new files are added to the folder on your computer, they will be added to the iPod during the next sync.
NOTE: There are some cases where you may want a folder backed up, but not all of the folders within it. A good example is My Documents. Since iTunes usually stores your music files in My Music, you probably don't want it copied as a backup, since the music files are already on the iPod. Simply drop the My Music folder on the "Folder Filters" box, and it will be excluded from syncing when My Documents is synced. You can do this with any folder that is inside another folder - if a path in the filter is encountered, it will be ignored. You can also do this with files, in case there are certain files you don't want backed up. Simply drop them on the "File Filters" box to exclude them, and they'll never be copied.
Auto-Sync Files - you can specify precise files to always ensure are copied to the iPod, such as your latest budget spreadsheet or other important documents that are updated frequently. Simply drop them on the Auto-Sync Files box, and they will be copied over every time to ensure that your iPod has the latest version for safe-keeping.
NOTE: Files that you explicitly set for auto-sync will override any filters on the auto-sync folders tab. In other words, if you have a file you want synced that is in an excluded folder, it will still be synced if it's in this list.
If this help file didn't answer your questions, please feel free to email support with questions. We also welcome your suggestions and feedback.