Daylite 3.9 is out!
The much anticipated Daylite 3.9 was released last week by Marketcircle. DL 3.9 is a major upgrade, with an under-the-hood database engine change (out with OpenBase, in with PostgreSQL), a new Daylite Server component, and support for the new iPhone companion application Daylite Touch. One week in, the transition has gone smoothly for most, with just a few hiccups (mostly from early adopters not reading the instructions!). I have been busy upgrading clients all week. With so many changes, it would take a lot of space to summarize them all here. However, here’s a GREAT write up — very readable — with nice screenshots, that explain the whole thing in good detail. It will answer most of your “what’s new” and “why should I care” questions. Give it a read.
The bottom line, however, is that Daylite 3.9 is faster, more robust, and modern under the hood than were previous versions of Daylite. For you, this means faster searches, faster online/offline syncing, and more reliable communication with iSync/Address Book/iCal/MobileMe. It means a better Daylite experience for users with larger numbers of contacts and items. And it means that Daylite has a very, very powerful architechture that will allow it to grow, adapt, and add new features going forward. Marketcircle is so focused on getting Daylite users to this new version, that they are announcing they are ending support for DL 3.8 and earlier as of June 2009! Did I mention that for all current Daylite users, upgrading to Daylite 3.9 is free? And that Daylite Server is free?
Daylite Touch
The part of the release that is getting the most attention, of course, is Daylite Touch. DLT is a companion application for the iPhone and iPod Touch that connects directly to your Daylite Server. It will display your Daylite contacts, calendars, projects, opportunities, appointments, notes, tasks, etc etc, and allow to add/edit/delete these items in a powerful, flexible way, right on your iPhone. No more will you need to rely on chain of interconnected parts of 1) Daylite syncing to Mac OS, 2) then to Address Book/iCal, 3) then to MobileMe, 4) then to your iPhone. DLT talks directly to your Daylite Server, all in one step. You can download Daylite Touch right now from the iTunes App store for free, and try it out with the sample database. However, to run it with your database, the cost is $49/device/year. This is the first time Marketcircle has offered a “subscription” type of license, thus the “per year”.
With the arrival of DLT, Daylite and iPhone users can finally feel secure about leaving that laptop at the office, and still being in control and informed about their business while on the go.
Also, if you’re thinking of purchasing licenses from Marketcircle for Dayliet, Daylite Touch, or Billings, please don’ forget to do so through my Marketcircle affiliate link. Doing so will help me get a small “recommenders fee” — thanks!
