Aside from the thundering cries for a Mac version of eWallet (we’re working on it!) the most popular questions are all iPhone sync related. Well, the wait for answers is over. If you’re one of those folks who is dying to find out more about sync, hopefully we’ll answer all your questions in this post!
DISCLAIMER: We firmly believe that everything in this blog post is how it will be when we release it, but experience has taught me that something unexpected always pops up so this is my “we MIGHT do something a little bit different” disclaimer (but I don’t expect we will.)
Do we have to sync to the cloud/internet?
No. Honestly, this is the direction we were going with it. Frankly, with a 256-bit AES encrypted wallet file, this is an exceptionally safe option despite the misgivings some folks have. As it stands though we received MANY emails asking us to please release a local sync option first. Well, we listened, and the sync solution coming out in August will be a local sync.
Will it sync through the USB/cradle?
No. The reason is that Apple won’t let us. At this time, there is no way for a third-party developer to use the cradle or USB connection to transfer data back and forth between a (non-jailbroken) phone and a desktop. We REALLY wish there was. It would make life far easier for everyone involved. Unfortunately, this isn’t something Apple decided to do. The only options are Wi-fi or Cloud. All I can say is that if you want to see USB sync send Apple an email! The minute Apple gives us a way to do a USB sync, we will be all over it.
So you’re using wi-fi to synchronize?
Yes. If you have access to a wi-fi network (ideally a home network) you will be able to synchronize your wallet to your mobile device. Again, let me repeat what I said earlier. This isn’t by choice. Apple won’t let us sync via a wired connection. We WANT to. We just can’t.
Will I need to create a special/ad-hoc network with my desktop?
Nope. If you have a standard home or office wi-fi network you can sync your data.
Wait a second! Sync my wallet over the air? Is this safe?
The entire sync process involves synching a fully encrypted wallet over a closed network and you’re never broadcasting a password. Basically, even if somehow someone managed to get your wallet it’d be worthless because they couldn’t get into it. Furthermore (see below) we require a confirmation of the sync partnership before we allow synching (and that confirmation is remembered.) This means no one is going to nab your wallet during sync.
How can I be sure that my wallet is going to the correct device?
When you add your device as a new sync location in the desktop version of eWallet we require that you confirm that partnership using a code provided by the iPhone/Touch. This ensures that the wallet only goes between those two devices. Period.
Is cloud/internet sync an option?
It will be but not in this release. In time we plan to add almost all of the features you’ve come to love in the desktop and mobile versions of eWallet.
Will I need a different desktop version?
No. The same desktop version you’re using will also let you sync with the iPhone. You won’t need a special “iPhone desktop” version. You will want to get the upgrade to eWallet 6.1.1 (it isn’t out yet) but the upgrade will be a free one if you own eWallet 6.0/6.1. This update doesn’t add any new technology, just some helpful user interface options that make it easy to setup iPhone synching.
Can I sync multiple iPhones/Touchs with the same desktop program?
Yes. Each device is added as a sync location and you can sync to as many phones as you like.
Can I sync more than one wallet to the same device?
Absolutely. All the sync flexibility you’ve come to expect from eWallet will be true with this as well.
Can I sync multiple wallets to different devices with different settings?
Sure thing! Sync the way that YOU want to. We’re not going to restrict you.
Will I need anything else to make sync work?
Yes. You’ll need to have Bonjour installed. This is a background application that Apple makes which lets the iPhone/Touch talk to the desktop via a wireless network. If you’re using iTunes there is a good chance you already have this installed. Even if you don’t (or if you need to update Bonjour) we’ll give you a link and make it easy. This is an Apple product and you never have to DO anything with it (it’s a background application). The only thing it does is facilitate communication between desktop and device. Only people synching with an Apple device will need Bonjour.
When will sync be out?
We’re still on track for an August release. Updates seem to be getting pushed out within a week of submission so I don’t think we’re going to have problems like we did with the initial release.
eWallet is one of my most used apps on my PDA and now I’ve purchased it for my iPod Touch. Can’t wait for the Sync option!
@Armin: Yeah, DiskAid does the Job without Jailbreaking, because it can even access the root folder. Then access to /private/var/mobile/APPID/Documents. In my case the Application ID starts with 18C439BD, but this seems to be different on every iPhone. Just look in every Folde rin /private/var/mobile/Applications and scan for the Folder eWallet.app – and put your Wallet File in the Documents Folder found beside…. And dont forget to create a wallet with the same name previously in the iphone
@Michel and Armin
So if I find this /private/var/mobile/APPID/Documents with eWallet.app folder with Diskaid, I can add my current wlt file from my PC to my iPhone???
Have you done it? I’m going to try tonight. I’m very excited. I’m tired of carrying my old Treo, just to access my ewallet.
I just tried DiskAid 1.5 for windows and it doesn’t access the root folder on my non-jailbroke phone. @Michel any ideas?
Unfortunately, the only ideas left are to jailbreak the phone or wait for eWallet sync. It does annoy me that the Dev kit for iPhone was out since, what, January, and we still see only half-finished products from so many vendors.
The method Michel states above works, however you need to jailbreak the phone.
Jailbreaking is the only option if you have lots of data to input, if you can’t wait for the Ilium team to provide a solution.
BTW since Apple are seriously crippling my ability to use the iPhone, I’ very seriously considering selling it and going back to a smartphone or PDA.
Have Fun
Any update on the ETA for eWallet Sync?
Since the OSX version will probably not come out until later in Sept/Oct. I’d recommend mac users purchase Crossover and run the Windows version of eWallet on OSX.
DITTO: Any update on the ETA for eWallet Sync?
Today is August 13th, and if memory serves, your previous posts said this was the day the iphone sync would be released.
Has it been delayed?
@Shane: We knew it would be out in August and we were shooting for mid-August. Looks like it will take a little longer but we’re still fine for an August release. It’s definitely coming and I’ve seen it working here!
Thanks Marc. I can’t wait. I’m tired of digging out my old Treo everytime I need something from my eWallet. Thanks for keeping us posted. Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait. ….oh, I’m a little excited.
Getting this app to sync is one of the final steps to dumping my Palm TX and replacing it full time with my iPod Touch. Now if I could only get my Microsoft Exchange sync working to get calendar and contacts on my iPod…ahh the holy grail of iPhone apps.
Thanks Ilium for a great product!
D.
thanks for the update Marc.
Quick question though…
Assuming you are able to release the sync by the end of the month, that just means that you will submit it to Apple by the end of august, correct? We still will have to wait a couple of weeks for Apple to actually post the update in the app store.
So realistically, we are looking at another month before we can sync? I just want to clarify so I don’t get my hopes up too soon.
Good morning –
I was just thrilled to see eWallet at the app store and snapped it up for all three iPhone 3Gs in the family. I have used eWallet and ListPro on the PC and Palm for years. Now that you’re porting eWallet and ListPro to the iPhone, I would like to move both data files from the PC to the Mac/iPhone. I would love to see a Help document that steps me through that process.
Also, the presentation of cards and data on the iPhone is stunning…much better than the PC or the Palm.
Did I say I’m really looking to the full Mac/iPhone implementation?
Thanks,
– Don
Hey, 1password already has web sync to OSX.
Where is the OSX or Windows version of eWallet?
While waiting for iPhone sync to appear, I’ve been importing data from keepass to ewallet. Personally, I prefer keepass to ewallet, as keepass has more features, but I’m going to give ewallet a try, as it will soon have some form of iPhone sync. The one big feature that I miss in ewallet is a search box (that can search all fields of all records). Perhaps you can add that to some future version of the desktop client.
@Mikey: Desktop already has a search feature that does this. It just doesn’t have an “always up” box for it. CTRL+F or Tools->Find. We are also adding search to iPhone in a future release.
It’s been another week. (Well ok, 6 days) But, I’m curious as to how much closer you are to a release?
And, I’m curious like Shane. “Assuming you are able to release the sync by the end of the month, that just means that you will submit it to Apple by the end of august, correct? We still will have to wait a couple of weeks for Apple to actually post the update in the app store.”
@Rob: We are synching here already. It is going very well. As for the wait time, updates are, on average, taking around a week. I simply can’t guess an exact release date but I can say that we have the release candidate in our hands and are testing it.
Could you please start another blog entry, or put up a status page, so that people know where to look for updates about the next release.
Many Thanks & keep up the hard/good work.
Thanks Marc. I’ll keep watching and waiting. Of, course with the release of the QuickPwn I just might take that step and pwn my iphone.
@Marc: Thanks, I was looking for the “find” menu under “Edit”. For some reason, I didn’t look under “Tools”.
As a desktop enhancement request, could you add an option for an “always displayed” search box? Keepass is very nice in that respect: start up keepass, and the keyboard focus is automatically placed into the search box. If you have a lot of entries (I have a few hundred), it’s a big usability win.
iPhone search is nice, but I don’t think it’s essential. Even with a few hundred entries, it’s probably faster to scroll using fingers, than to bring up the keyboard and hunt-and-peck (just tested this with my large contact list). Still, it’s something that you probably need to add, just to stay competitive.
@Mikey: Yep – search needs to go into the iPhone at some point to stay competitive. As for the search box, request noted! It’s something I’ve thought about for awhile now and would like to see us add at some point.
Pleeaaasseeee provide the sync this month, I really really really need em !!
Hi,
I have an eWallet ver. 5 and I’m wondering if I will be able to import my existing data to IPhone when the new version of eWallet Desktop is released? Please advise.
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