Sony Ericsson Z500 and iSync, can it be done?

Question

Sony Ericsson Z500 and iSync, can it be done?

I have recently been "guided/forced" to select a Sony Ericsson Z500 cell phone and would like to sync it with my Mac. No luck. I can sync with my PC and this chokes me up. All my contacts and information is on my Mac. Anyone have any luck syncing a Z500 to the Address Book via USB?

Posted on Oct 16, 2005 9:45 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 16, 2005 6:12 PM in response to Anthony Bugera

SONY Ericsson mobile handsets interact with iSync only via Bluetooth. USB synchronization is not supported. While your Z500 is not listed as a supported device - the Z600, is by the way - it may be possible to modify an iSync plist to support your Z500, but again, only via Bluetooth.

If your iMac does not already have Bluetooth support built-in, then you will need to purchase a D-Link DBT-120 Bluetooth USB adapter, the only such device explicitly supported by Apple.

You might try to locate someone close to you to experiment with iSync and the Z500 using Bluetooth, or see if you can trade up to the Z600.

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Answer 2

Oct 16, 2005 9:37 PM in response to Michael Lafferty

Unfortunately, the Z500 has no bluetooth features at all and I have bought it already. The odd thing is, the cable is a USB to serial adapter of sorts. Apple does support this type of connection with other phones and devices (ex. Palm) Hopefully an update is forthcoming. The Z600 is not available with the carriers in this area. I may have to ... ugh... use my PC. Not a pleasant thought considering all my business info is on my Mac.

Here's hoping for a Sony Ericsson Z500 USB update to iSync. Or a software package I can use on the Mac instead.

Thanks for your input.

AB

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Answer 3

Oct 16, 2005 11:36 PM in response to Michael Lafferty

I now have some additional information.

The USB cable I was sold with the Sony Ericsson Z500 phone is a DCU-11 USB to serial data cable. It appears to be able to use the PL-2303 driver (kext file) under OS X 10.4.x (Tiger). I know from reading various articles that the .plist file within the .kext file will need to be modified but, I cannot find out how.

Details are sketchy on the sites I have been to... any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Answer 4

Oct 27, 2005 10:25 PM in response to Anthony Bugera

I suggest that you have a look at OnSync.

Their compatibility page lists the Z500, but they say they have only heard of one success story and they ask for more feedback.

http://www.onmadesoft.com/onsyncdetails.html

Give it a try and please report back here to let us know how it works.

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Answer 5

Oct 28, 2005 3:00 PM in response to Rob Vestrum

I downloaded the OnSync software you mentioned and tried it out. I did not succeed at first but, I also installed a copy of the Prolific PL-2303 kext file I had on hand and to my surprise I can now sync my Sony Ericcson Z500a with the Apple Address Book and/or Entourage. Seems the PL-2303 USB to Serial kext driver was the magic bean. The version I used is 1.9b6.

Thanks for the very helpful advice.

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Answer 6

Oct 28, 2005 10:38 PM in response to Anthony Bugera

Anthony,

I am glad my suggestion worked for you, even with some modification. It is so nice to have a Mac and a SonyEricsson phone on friendly terms.

Do you know where I could get the Prolific PL-2303 kext file? Prolific no longer has driver downloads on its website while they are constructing their new site.

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Answer 7

Oct 29, 2005 12:13 AM in response to Rob Vestrum

I hesitate to post the kext file but, it is located all over the net. Unfortunately, the site I used no longer has it posted. If you iChat me I could transfer it over to you. My user id for iChat is through AIM.

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Answer 8

Nov 7, 2005 12:11 AM in response to Anthony Bugera

I found the kext driver on the internet and I tried connecting to my wife's SE J300 using the DSS Sync Station with no success. Both phone and USB connector are different from your configuration, so I don't know if buying a DCU-11 will help or not.

I will give it a try with another cable--hopefully from a store with a good return policy--and post back the results.

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