An unofficial blog that watches Google's attempts to move your operating system online since 2005. Not affiliated with Google.

Send your tips to gostips@gmail.com.

December 14, 2012

Google Sync, Discontinued for Gmail Accounts

After dropping support for the free Google Apps edition, Google continues to disappoint non-paying users. The sync service powered by Exchange ActiveSync will no longer be available for Gmail users and for free Google Apps users, but the existing connections will continue to work.

"Google Sync was designed to allow access to Google Mail, Calendar and Contacts via the Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync® protocol. With the recent launch of CardDAV, Google now offers similar access via IMAP, CalDAV and CardDAV, making it possible to build a seamless sync experience using open protocols. Starting January 30, 2013, consumers won't be able to set up new devices using Google Sync; however, existing Google Sync connections will continue to function. Google Sync will continue to be fully supported for Google Apps for Business, Government and Education," informs Google.

Three other services and apps will no longer be available: Google Calendar Sync (the download link has been removed, but the app continues to work for existing users), Google Sync for Nokia S60 (no longer supported from January 30, 2013) and SyncML (will stop syncing on January 30, 2013).

While Android owners aren't affected, those who use iPhones, Windows Phones and other mobile devices will have to rely on IMAP, CalDAV and CardDAV. Sure, they are standard protocols, Google doesn't have to pay licensing fees, but Google's implementation doesn't support push. If Apple's iCloud, Yahoo Mail and AOL Mail have push support, why can't Google add it? The Gmail app for iOS has push notifications, but some people might like to use the standard mail client.

If you've already enabled Google Sync on a device, it will continue to work. Unfortunately, you won't be able to enable Google Sync on a new device starting from January 30.

27 comments:

  1. Great article. If gmail natively supported push on iOS, nobody would care about this. But they don't, so it's a huge deal. And no, the gmail app is not an acceptable answer. I don't want to use two separate email programs.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree, great article. Most people don't even realize that this is the end of push for gmail on iOS. Does Google pay to Microsoft for every device using Exchange? It is always the issue, company wants to improve working solution and it fails. Happen to Apple with Apple Maps, now it will happen to Google Sync and Gmail.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Also, even though that's not that important for most users, some service providers (such as mine) block ports used by IMAP. Therefore, I won't be able to use my iPhone to check my mail when I'm not on Wifi... awesome, thanks Google...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Why does Google seem to be pushing users away now?

    I understand that they have to focus on making money, but now they seem to be focussed on making money in the short-term, rather then growing their user base for the long term.

    ReplyDelete
  5. CardDAV only works on newer iOS devices. I guess Google is abandoning those of us with older devices.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This seems to be a decent way for a big corporation of showing iOS users the middle finger.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for these informations!

    You could use Memotoo as gateway if you want continue to use SyncML, Exchange, ... with your Google account.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Google going down. Has set off now officially.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Windows Phone doesn't even support CardDav or CalDav, and 30 days notice isn't exactly enough time to add it, so they are deliberately screwing their Windows Phone customers.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Don't kid yourselves into thinking Google is out to deliberately screw you over.
    Google doesn't care about you enough to deliberately do something yto you, they simply do not give a damn.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Does this include BB users where your mail, calendar and contacts automatically sync ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't it effects BlackBerry Users as a fellow who uses BlackBerry Bold 9900 and PlayBook.
      BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 brought CalDAV and CardDAV support which will Continue on with new BB10 OS.
      While Regular BlackBerry phones get there mail from BIS and BIS I believe supports Calendar and contact sync now.
      Most people already uninstall the Sync app from google and use the built in sync from BIS.

      Delete
  12. With Google pulling so many of their services why would I want to sign up for any of their new services... It may get pulled just as soon as I find it useful...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly, more and more I feel like I will need to support my own little place in the cloud. Here's to open source/free software and the hope for a community driven and hosted openCloud in the future.

      Delete
  13. I have a BB Bold 9900 and my gmail account doesn't sync in time. i get my emails 30-60 minutes later than on my computer. What should I do?

    ReplyDelete
  14. The CEO of Google want Google to become another Apple, so this is strategy move by the CEO, so no matter how marketing guys of Google report to the CEO according to user's feedback, the strategy won't be altered.

    I am afraid that Google becomes a bad apple ...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Google unleashed a ton of “hurt” for many webmasters and site owners in 2012. It seems to be looking forward to do more of the same.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Google test a new interface for iPad: http://tecno-net.blogspot.com/2012/12/new-google-interface-experiment-for-ipad.html

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am slowly dumping all Google services I use and will not pay for anymore extras from them. They have become untrustworthy and greedy and it is only a matter of time before they kill Gmail and Google search too the way they have been killing and abandoning other useful services.

    PS Chrome still stinks and every new version gets worse...

    ReplyDelete
  18. Google tests removing underlined titles in search results, again: http://tecno-net.blogspot.com/2013/01/google-tests-removing-underlined-titles-in-search-results.html

    ReplyDelete
  19. It really now feels very sad that Google is now disabling all the free services making the users addicted to it. I think this step to be very crucial for the company as this step may either lead to its profits or let it down by people not using it.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I just listened to the other comments ..

    ReplyDelete
  21. Maybe we're looking at the beginning of the end of free e-mail? Apple disconnected the MobileMe line a couple of months ago, forcing me and millions of others to join the ICloud setup and that's about as buggy as anything can get- all my mail goes into the trash and I have to dig it out and drag it to me my inbox every day (usually 2 X a day). Now, Google is doing their own dirty email trick. Maybe they'll charge us by the piece with a surcharge for extra pages or large attachments?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Its really a big loss to us, I have quite a lot of domain hosted at Google emails and there are more clients who want to get Google mail at their domain yet don't want to pay that much. Google should have free account option at least 2 free emails or 4 free emails, but there should be few free.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Awesome, great article. In my opinion Google is diregarding those of us with older devices

    ReplyDelete
  24. thanks to this blog really this is nice blog but in future we can get some good experience from this link Gmail support

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.