The iPad is a new breed of device. While it can’t be fully classified as a computer system, it also isn’t a standard mobile device. With applications and functionality from each, the iPad has a unique identity. It works as an on-the-go device for personal planning, online classes, word processing, web browsing, and media use, without requiring the extra bulk of a laptop computer. One of the things that iPad users may want to do is synchronize their iPad with other web based resources, such as Google contacts and calendars. This article provides a brief guide on how you can synchronize your iPad with your Google Calendar.
Step 1: Back Up Your Contacts
To be certain that you don’t lose any of the information that you have on your iPad, you will want to synchronize your information with your iTunes or Apple account on any of the desktops or laptops that you own. This will ensure that any information that is lost can easily be retrieved. If you follow these steps, no information should be lost, but air on the side of caution.
Step 2: Make Sure Google Sync is Enabled
If you are using a public account, this will be enabled by default. However, if you’re using a professional Google Apps suite that is customized to your brand, the account administrator will need to go in and enable synchronization. This setting can be found in the administrator control panel, under the “service settings -> mobile” section.
Step 3: Create a New Mail Connection
On the iPad home screen, open the “settings.” Select the Mail, Contact, Calendars option in the generated list. Since Gmail isn’t supported by default, you will need to choose “Microsoft Exchange.”
Step 4: Fill Out the Mail Information
An empty form will pop up once you’ve selected “Microsoft Exchange.” Enter your full email address in the email and username sections, and type your Gmail password into the password section. Leave all the other information, including the domain name field, blank. Click next.
The next screen will request the server information, which should be entered as m.google.com. Click next again.
Step 5: Synchronize Your Google Services
On the next screen, you will be asked to select which Google services to synchronize. Your Gmail contacts, calendar, and mail can all be synchronized on this screen. Simply select the items you want to import and then click “done.” When the prompt comes up, unless you want to wipe your iPad clean of calendar events and contact information, be certain to choose the “Keep on My iPad” option, which will allow the Google and iPad information to coexist.
Step 6: Enable Additional Calendars
If you want to synchronize multiple calendars, you will need to make a change on your Google Sync page. You can use your iPad browser or a standard browser to visit google.com/mobile/sync/. If necessary, link your account to Google’s synchronization tool. Once you are in your control panel, select the iPad option. From here, you can simply check or un-check the calendars that you want to keep synchronized.