Perhaps the most impressive example of this shift is iTunes Wi-Fi Sync. Once set up, you can sync any of your iOS devices to iTunes without a Dock Connector. Just click the device’s Sync button in iTunes and off it goes, even if the iOS device is asleep. You can similarly wirelessly modify settings in the device’s tabs (Info, Apps, Music, etc.). Want to sync an iOS device when you’re not near your computer? No problem. As long as iTunes remains open on your Mac and the iOS device remains on your Wi-Fi network, just tap Sync Now in Settings > General > iTunes Wi-Fi Sync on your device.
All you need to do to enable this feature is connect your iOS device to iTunes (perhaps for the last time!) and select “Sync with this iOS device over Wi-Fi” from the device’s Summary screen. Now, iOS devices remain listed in the Devices section of your iTunes sidebar even after you disconnect them!
Your iOS devices can even automatically sync with iTunes on your Mac — whenever you connect a device to a power source. However (as I previously noted in my Complete Guide to iOS 5’s New and “Hidden” Settings), getting auto-syncing to work additionally requires that you (a) disable “Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically” in iTunes > Preferences > Devices and (b) enable “Open iTunes when this iPhone is connected” in the Summary screen in iTunes for each iOS device.
Overall, iOS 5’s new Wi-Fi syncing feature works spectacularly well. However, there is one significant glitch. With Wi-Fi sync enabled and iTunes left open, your iOS device will stop backing up to your Mac when syncing!
