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EDITOR NOTES
See 'Related Links' below on this page for the latest 'stable' release.
DESCRIPTION
Synergy places three buttons to control iTunes in your menubar: previous track, next track, and play/pause; as well as providing you with visual feedback about the currently playing tune.
The Synergy controls, together with the ability to control iTunes via system-wide Hot Key combinations, mean that Synergy provides the fastest way of skipping between songs when using the keyboard or the mouse; all this without having to switch to iTunes or accessing its Dock menu.
WHAT'S NEW
Version 3.5.1a (alpha/experimental series):
- Added a checkbox to temporarily disable the submission of track information to last.fm (fulfills feature request #1310); this is ideal for those times when you don't want what you're currently listening to be "scrobbled" to the website.
- Removed some out-of-date localized resources.
REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.5.7 or later.
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SCREENSHOT
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| Synergy User Reviews (154 posts) | Write A Review |
 | Jul 3 2009 |
VRH I had previously given this application an overall four star rating because of things I thought were missing or needed changing. I have found that all those issues have already been addressed so I'm increasing my rating to five stars. This application does exactly what I need it to do, and does it beautifully!
(Version 3.5.1a) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Jul 2 2009 |
VRH Wow -- it's so nice to have this application working again! It was dead in the water for *so* long (some kind of AppleScript bug??) that I gave up on it and settled for "TotalTunes Control" as an alternative. But nothing in the field compares to this app for its intended purpose. The settings interface is clear and uncluttered and I love the visual feedback options. One gripe I have is that it doesn't use the album artwork already in iTunes, but instead it requires an Internet connection for downloading its own set of album artwork. This is just a waste of resources in almost every way. At least I hope the developer will give an option to use existing artwork. That would seem a lot more efficient. A feature I'd like to see added is Growl integration. While I really like the developer's own version of notification eye candy, it would be nice to have the option to use Growl.
(Version 3.5.1a) | |
| [ 3 Replies - Reply ] | |
Replies:
 | Jul 2 2009 |
VRH I just found this at the developer's site: "If you have iTunes version 4 or later, Synergy will first query iTunes for album cover art before attempting to connect to the Internet." So, my one major gripe was remedied long ago and I didn't even realise it! :-)
(Version 3.5.1a) | |
| Jul 2 2009 |
NORAA You actually can use Growl notifications with Synergy! You have to set it up within the Growl Preference Pane and not the Synergy Pane. Simply enable Synergy (if it is already enabled, un-enable it and then re-enable it) within Growl and setup how you want it to work (where to display on screen, style, etc.) Also, within the Synergy Pref Pane disable "Display floater when iTunes track changes" under the General Tab. If you don't do that, then both the Growl notifications and Synergy's own notifications will display.
(Version 3.5.1a) | |
| Jul 3 2009 |
VRH @NORAA -- Thank you for that info! I'm revising my rating to 5 stars. I can't find anything for my purposes that this app needs to improve or change!
(Version 3.5.1a) | |
| Jun 26 2009 |
EASER I'm not a programmer, so I could be talking idiocy here. But could the developer opt to make this an application rather than a preference pane? Would that overcome the problems he's having with the restart issue? I know it might take a substantial rewrite, but given the bad press he's getting for what is otherwise a really good product, maybe it would be worth it. I'm only trying to help here.
(Version 3.5a9) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Jun 26 2009 |
KOSOVAR1 No friggin' way! I was overly optimistic. The latest release does not resolve this bug that stops Synergy from loading between restarts. The developer shouldn't receive a penny for this failed product, at least until this bug has been fixed. The problem of Synergy failing to start up between boots has persevered for the past half dozen or more updates and for nearly two years. The developer really should drag his/her sorry buttocks onto the MacUpdate forum and explain why this problem has been ignored or to simply admit that (s)he can't fix it. No, it's easier just to ignore it and to continue to accept money for junk. Trouble is, people lose faith in how the system works and other, more diligent or skilled developers stop getting their hard-earned pay.
(Version 3.4) | |
| [ 5 Replies - Reply ] | |
Replies:
 | Jun 26 2009 |
ANONYMOUS Sounds like you have a stale item in your login items. To force it to update, go to the Synergy preferences and (1) Uncheck the "Launch at login" checkbox; (2) Click "Apply"; (3) Recheck the checkbox; (4) Click "Apply".
(Version 3.5a9) | |
| Jun 26 2009 |
SHOCK J I have been using Synergy for years. I don't ever remember having a problem with Synergy starting up during boot. 3.5a7 has always worked fine for me. This sounds like the problem is specific to your local system. In the future, I would suggest doing a bit more research before you go ranting at the developer about how his product is defective.
(Version 3.5a9) | |
| Jun 26 2009 |
KOSOVAR1 Hey Shock J, have you read my posts? I've worked on this problem for over a year. It has become a sort of hobby for me. Nothing works. The problem is duplicated on different machines with different configurations, including a pristine installation of OSX 10.5.6 when I bought my new iMac a few months ago, so I am not "ranting" without justification. To the developer who just chimed in, I'm sorry this is the best solution you can come up with. I considered the "stale" startup item possibility as the most simplistic possibility for error and I began to resolve that possibility from Day 1. I always made sure the startup items were newly created ones with each re-installation. Might I also remind both of you that I am not alone with this problem.
(Version 3.5a9) | |
| Jun 26 2009 |
NORAA I've been using Synergy since the 1.x days and haven't had a single problem with it - and this has been on multiple systems. Wish I could give you advice as to why it refuses to open on startup - I'm assuming you've tried deleting the prefs, uninstalling it and reinstalling it, etc. However, I do suggest (if you haven't done this already) emailing the developer directly instead of ranting on MU. Not all developers have the time to check the posts here, emailing directly is far more effective.
(Version 3.5a9) | |
| Jun 27 2009 |
JAZZYGUY I have had Synergy since it first appeared. I have the SAME problem on ALL my Macs. I have 6 Macs 2 are Intel the rest are PPC. Please don't tell me I have to check and apply twice. It just doesn't work.
(Version 3.5a9) | |
| Jun 25 2009 |
KOSOVAR1 i hope that, with this latest version, the developer has finally fixed the bug in Synergy that doesn't allow it to load upon restarting. it's been more than a year since i purchased this app and it hasn't worked on my laptop and desktop macs, unless i open the synergy control panel myself and click "start" (muppets will all notice that i avoided writing in caps and that i am perfectly serene about wasting money by paying for this flawed app)
(Version 3.4) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| May 22 2009 |
KIDCLAM Following some user's advice, I reinstalled Synergy as it was not working that well. And remarkably it worked. Opened on startup, song info with artwork of recent song works well and I am very happy once again. People should try to reinstall and let us know if it works for you. I am using a MacBookPro on Leopard with all Apple updates and latest iTunes 8.1.1. I have given all 5 star reviews except stabillity (3 stars) and hoping that it won't mess up after a few weeks of use. Will update this review otherwise.
(Version 3.2.2) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Apr 22 2009 |
KOSOVAR1 Bought the newest iMac 24" and updated to the most recent OSX. Pristine OS with no other 2nd party software conflicts. Guess what? Synergy STILL DOES NOT STARTUP on it's own. Normally, I wouldn't bother to complain, but I PAID for this. HEY SYNERGY TEAM, FINISH YOUR TWO-YEAR COFFE BREAK AND FIX YOUR BROKEN SOFTWARE OR STOP MARKETING IT, OK!?
(Version 3.2.2) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Apr 4 2009 |
KOSOVAR1 Synergy still doesn't start automatically when I log in to my account. This has gone on for more than a year now. I think this is about the fourth or fifth iteration of the Synergy that hasn't worked for me. To make it work, I have to go to the Synergy preference pane and start Synergy up manually every single time I want to use it. I have tried every trick in the known universe to fix this problem, but I think this is something the developer should do. After all, he (she) was willing enough to take the money when I decided to support HIM (HER). All my hardware and software are up the latest.
(Version 3.2.2) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Feb 28 2009 |
KOSOVAR1 HEY, HERE'S A MESSAGE TO EVERYONE OUT THERE! SYNERGY USED TO BE GREAT, BUT IT HASN'T WORKED IN A VERY LONG TIME AND THE DEVELOPER WON'T FIX IT. IT SIMPLY DOESN'T START UP ANYMORE AUTOMATICALLY, SO YOU HAVE TO GO TO PREFERENCES --> SYNERGY CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN CLICK START YOURSELF. YOU HAVE TO DO THIS EVERY TIME YOU BOOT YOUR COMPUTER IF YOU WANT TO USE THIS PROGRAM. IT ISN'T WORTH THE TROUBLE EVEN IF IT WAS FREE. DON'T REWARD A LAZY DEVELOPER, NO MATTER HOW GOOD THE PROGRAM USED TO BE.
(Version 3.2.1) | |
| [ 6 Replies - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Apr 2 2009 |
JONSI Calm down. No problems here. Check your system.
(Version 3.2.2) | |
| Apr 2 2009 |
ORION MK. V stop yelling! It works fine for ME!
(Version 3.2.2) | |
| Apr 2 2009 |
RIP0FF Never had any problem with any version of Synergy... and I've been using it almost since its beginning, currently on three different machines. My advice would be to delete Synergy using the uninstaller included in the program, including the preferences, then reinstall it.
(Version 3.2.2) | |
| Apr 2 2009 |
HOMEWORLD Uh, no problems here. Go outside, take a few deep breaths, and then move on.
(Version 3.2.2) | |
| Apr 4 2009 |
KOSOVAR1 to all you fine folk out there who thought i was yelling and to calm down: no, i was not shouting and i am perfectly calm. i was simply writing with the caps on. even so, might i state my humble opinion that it really s u c k s that so many people of the people who paid for synergy haven't been able to use it for more than a year now because the developer won't fix the bugs, in particular the bug that won't allow synergy to start up automatically at boot time. oh, i downloaded version 3.2.2 and the same bug persists. synergy still doesn't work for many of us. oohh, sorry if you can't hear me, but i thought i should w h i s p e r.
(Version 3.2.2) | |
| Jun 26 2009 |
KOSOVAR1 I am calm, but still like to speak my piece. I checked my system, troubleshooted every angle to make Synergy load automatically between boots. I've already installed Synergy on a number of Macs and after every single OS X update. I'm sure I've spent more time trying to solve the problem than the developer spent writing this program.
(Version 3.4) | |
| Jan 8 2009 |
ASHMADUX I concur with the last post. Something seemingly as insignificant as just not disappearing from my toolbar and not launching at startup (even though its in the startup menu!) has driven me to just stop using it as of right now. going to a free or paid alternative- dont care, as long as i dotn have to deal with this mess anymore. Will the next itunes control software please stand up?
(Version 3.2.1) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
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