iCloud vs. Google Sync

[jayes]

I recently migrated from a Droid to an iphone and continue to sync my Gmail contacts and calendar via google sync. I do not back up contacts and calendar on itunes. Now I am confused about what role iCloud plays in all this. Can I continue using Google sync? Can you use Google sync AND iCloud at the same time or is it one or the other? I don't mind having a backup in several locations, but will they all sync with each other each time I make changes, or am I asking for trouble?

If I want to continue using Google exclusively, I assume I will just not toggle MAIL and CALENDAR in the iCloud setup. Is that correct? As I (a bit tech challenged) understand it, iCloud provides the same service as Google Sync but is an Apple product. Can I still use the iCloud for music, podcasts et al if I choose not to sync contacts and calendar?

Thanks for your replies.

 

[Dadman]

The easy answer to your questions is yes. You can use both, or just one. I don't back up my information on iTunes, being a longtime MobleMe user. I've had great success using this and am looking forward to using iCloud starting tomorrow.

 

[kch50428]

To answer questions...
Yes
You can, but I wouldn't
You could be asking for trouble - contacts, calendars, etc. to both - duplicates, etc.
Correct.
Yes

 

[zackawee27]

I recently migrated from a Droid to an iphone and continue to sync my Gmail contacts and calendar via google sync. I do not back up contacts and calendar on itunes. Now I am confused about what role iCloud plays in all this. Can I continue using Google sync? Can you use Google sync AND iCloud at the same time or is it one or the other? I don't mind having a backup in several locations, but will they all sync with each other each time I make changes, or am I asking for trouble?

If I want to continue using Google exclusively, I assume I will just not toggle MAIL and CALENDAR in the iCloud setup. Is that correct? As I (a bit tech challenged) understand it, iCloud provides the same service as Google Sync but is an Apple product. Can I still use the iCloud for music, podcasts et al if I choose not to sync contacts and calendar?

Thanks for your replies.

Yes
Yes
You can, but you will run into problems.
Yes
and Yes
__________________

 

[korp#IM]

So far I do not see any duplicates of contacts and I am running both. It gives you an option to merge or not merge contacts ..... and remember iCloud is there for a backup, which is different then what google is for. Google syncs between all devices, cloud from what I have seen will only do this with apps, music, and books.

 

[jayes]

Thanks all for the replies. I'm still a little fuzzy about all this. Somewhere it was noted the contacts and calendar that icloud can sync must be Outlook so that means my Google contacts would not work anyway. I have XP on my computer which probably means iCloud won't work with my computer. I did just get an ipad2 so can I just sync between the phone and ipad and leave the computer out of the loop? Or do I still need to back up using itunes? And will itunes still have that capability? Can I just ignore iCloud and just use itunes as I have always done. Will I still be able to do OTA updates? And if I did have a Windows 7 computer, what exactly does one see in the cloud? Is it a separate program? I know with Google calendar, you open a web page and see your calendar. Same with contacts. Can you see the contents of the icloud or does it just sync between your phone and ipad?

 

[DrewBear]

I haven't read this TiPb article yet, but you might want to scan it for any useful info:
http://www.tipb.com/2011/10/12/daily-tip-transfer-data-android-blackberry-iphone-4s/

 

[alphasportstv]

I stick with Google Apps for all syncing. It's a more robust solution anyway, at least for business. Also, by sticking with Google I can throw my SIM in my BB or any other compatible phone and still sync everything without losing a beat. iCloud forces you to remain forever loyal to Uncle Apple.

 

[csal80]

So far I do not see any duplicates of contacts and I am running both. It gives you an option to merge or not merge contacts ..... and remember iCloud is there for a backup, which is different then what google is for. Google syncs between all devices, cloud from what I have seen will only do this with apps, music, and books.

Can you please clarify what steps you took to get this working. I am currently in your boat I think, where I just want to sync my contacts with google, but I don't want to create dupes. Please help.

 

[Kylazin]

If you use mostly Apple products, iCloud does the same thing Google Sync does. My contacts/calendars/bookmarks etc are on both my laptops and my iMac seamlessly, and I assume my iPhone 4S will have the same success tomorrow. The only reason to use Google with iCloud is if you use multiple platforms and you prefer google's solution. I still use google sync in order to keep my work machine updated.

 

[csal80]

I sync my work outlook with google that is the main reason why I still want to use it. I am basically asking how I can enable the sync with google without creating duplicate contacts. Is this something you know how to do?

 

[rpres62]

I'm in the same boat with google sync. How do you get contacts and calendar from google to iCloud?

 

[jayes]

For now, I think I am going to keep Google for contacts and calendars. It works. But I learned something yesterday that had been puzzling me. If you go to icloud.com, you can see your back ups. I had read that XP does not support icloud, but I was able to access it. There are 5 icons for specific backups.. contacts, mail, calendar, iphone and iwork. I have other items checked in icloud options on my phone so not sure why there are only 5 icons unless iwork is the backup location for everything else.

 

[Allan Todd]

I found the solution!

It is not a big problem for me, but I have found the solution for sync Google and iCloud. Google sync vs iCloud | SyncMate Team blog It works perfect even in free version.

 

[jayes]

It is not a big problem for me, but I have found the solution for sync Google and iCloud. Google sync vs iCloud | SyncMate Team blog It works perfect even in free version.

Sadly, I don't have a MAC. Does not work for a PC.

 

[LooNTooNs]

For now, I think I am going to keep Google for contacts and calendars. It works. But I learned something yesterday that had been puzzling me. If you go to icloud.com, you can see your back ups. I had read that XP does not support icloud, but I was able to access it. There are 5 icons for specific backups.. contacts, mail, calendar, iphone and iwork. I have other items checked in icloud options on my phone so not sure why there are only 5 icons unless iwork is the backup location for everything else.

I think what they mean when they say XP is not supported is that the "plugin" for windows is not supported by XP. I beleive there is a control panel application that gets installed on windows mechines. I think this is what syncs the photostream to the PC. I think you can still visit the website though.

Correct me if im wrong here

 

[jayes]

Yes.. You are correct. Little by little I am learning more and more about ios5 and its new features. Being on Win XP is a bit crippling. I can access iCloud.com but the windows control panel is not compatible with XP. As a work around for Photo Stream access I am using Dropbox to download pics to my camera roll so I can have better control over adding and deleting vs. photo sync via iTunes.
Appreciate everyone's input and suggestions. Great forum.

 

[kicko#IM]

i have been using google sync fine for a while now, but i thought why not pop the contacts in the cloud for a 2nd backup. When i enable contacts in icloud i see an option under the contact app for icloud contacts but nothing ever appears. Under my understanding you can use both, is there something i'm missing?

 

[Ayjona]

or am I asking for trouble?

As far as I can tell, nope, not at all

You can, but you will run into problems.

Seeing as I've been syncing to both iCloud and Google since release without the slightest hiccup, I hafta ask: what would those troubles be?

 

[Alli]

I suspect part of it depends on how you start. I originally had both my iPhone and my Mac syncing to Google. I switched my Mac (only) to sync with iCloud, so now I sync to both.