Google Calendar synchronization

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geohei
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Google Calendar synchronization

Post 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 4955 times
Alternative methods (Apple App Store):
- CalenGoo for 5.49 €
- gCalendar for 2.39€
CalenGoo.png
CalenGoo.png (76.02 KiB) Viewed 4955 times
gCalendar.png
gCalendar.png (89.04 KiB) Viewed 4955 times
Firefox shows Google Calendar as below:
Google Calendar Firefox.jpg
Google Calendar Firefox.jpg (116.53 KiB) Viewed 4949 times
Thunderbird provides an extension called Lightning:
Google Calendar Thunderbird.jpg
Google Calendar Thunderbird.jpg (136.56 KiB) Viewed 4949 times
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geohei
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Re: Google Calendar synchronization

Post 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.
Attachments
Google Exchange Server Setup.rar
.pdf document compressed to .rar file to permit upload to geoheiBB. Use WinRAR to extract pdf.
(2.88 MiB) Downloaded 465 times
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fwilli
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Re: Google Calendar synchronization

Post by fwilli »

Super!

Merci


Ciao
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geohei
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Posts: 3388
Joined: Tuesday, 19.11.2002 07:56
Location: Luxembourg
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Re: Google Calendar synchronization

Post 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
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