Remember that the bookmarking and password syncing service Xmarks nearly shut down last year? This would have meant some work for users who were using the cross-browser service to sync their data. The company behind the free password manager Last Pass bought Xmarks and integrated the product into their line of services. And all was good.
Experts who look closely at both services notice at least one feature that is supported by Last Pass and Xmarks: Password synchronization. Both Last Pass and Xmarks can synchronize passwords, and it seems that the new owners have made the decision to remove the password sync feature from Xmarks.
The Foxmarks Wiki reads:
The Xmarks Password Sync feature will be removed January 30, 2011. We are strongly encouraging all users migrate to LastPass for this feature!
While this has to be taken with a grain of salt, as everyone can add and edit pages, it would make sense from a business point of view. the benefits should be clear:
- The majority of users who are using password sync in Xmarks will likely migrate to Last Pass.
- The developers do not have to support and develop the same feature in two different applications.
Another indication that password sync will be removed from Xmarks is an entry in the changelog which reads: “LastPass’ password sync is now preferred”.
Password Sync is working fine in Xmarks as of now, even though there was a problem with the recent Chrome extension which the developers fixed soon thereafter.
What should users do who use Xmarks to sync their passwords? They should wait for an official confirmation first before they do anything.
The wiki entry suggests to install LastPass for Firefox and import the data from Firefox. This way all Xmark’s passwords are automatically imported into the Last Pass password manager. Xmarks obviously needs to be installed as well. (via)
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This is the “Last” time I’m going to be screwed by Xmarks and Last Pass. My browser will sync my passwords all by itself, so I have no need for Last Pass. I used Xmarks due to being used to it, but screw these people.
That’s why I switched to Firefox Sync as soon as they announced Xmarks would be discontinued. Looks like it was the best move.
@ Ben & ReX
I suspect you are missing the greater point to the services and functions.
Do you need to be reminded of the fantastic ability to sync across browsers, and mobile devices in particular?
How are they screwing you? A company acquired a great product with some feature overlap and are actively working towards the day when either a) 2 distinct products do distinct functions really, really well OR b) one product to rule them all containing the best features of each?
LastPass is an amazing password app. It is best-in-breed and completely free.
xMarks is an amazing bookmark app. It is best-in-breed and completely free.
*boggle*
Whomever says that lastpass is a great password application, is either a dumb, or has never even heard of SXIPPER. LastPass really sucks. And since i trusted Xmarks with my passwords, and now without my knowledge, they are all gone. Poof! just like that. And who the hell is now responsible for my lost passwords ?
Cyber have you been to the SXipper site? http://www.sxipper.com/ says that it is going to cease working in July (uhm which is now)! LOL!
Well, i do know that. Actually since a couple of months now. That’s just another reason why i am so upset about my experience with my passwords and all. :) But still thanks for your reply.
Well your comment “Whomever says that lastpass is a great password application, is either a dumb, or has never even heard of SXIPPER. ” doesn’t sound like you knew. I went hoping to find an alternative to Xmarks and found another program that is being discontinued. That’s why it’s just easier to stay with Xmarks and Lastpass. I just wish now they’d just combine the two into one so I don’t have to sign up twice, and install 2 different extensions to get what i used to do in one.
I understand the business model here and the need for making money. I also understand why lastpass acquired xmarks. The programs compliment each other well. I for one wish they would just combine the two. That’s one less install, and one last sign up and log in. Just make 2 versions. Basic(free) syncing of 2-3 machines, and a Pro(pay) version with unlimited sync.
I’m not surprised as the password syncing functionality is overlapping. A couple weeks back I made the jump to LastPass and XMarks Premium from Firefox Sync to be able to access my passwords on mobile devices. It’s been awesome now every website I log into uses a random and unique password.
Eventually I’d like to see xMarks merged into Lastpass this way I don’t need two apps on my iPod or need to extensions in each browser. They’re working perfectly in tandem but a merged extension would be nice.
Big Dan,
they are actually working towards that.
Xmarks password sync no longer works for me in firefox. It claims to be syncing, but no passwords come in. Xmarks bookmark sync fails completely in chrome with some random javascript error.
They really went to crap since lastpass bought them :(
XMARKS pasword sync no longer working, download last pass before u need to reinstall !!!
It’s not working anymore…
Any good replacement for it, free..of course?
Well Last Pass is an option.
http://getsatisfaction.com/foxmarks/topics/do_not_remove_password_sync_from_xmarks?utm_medium=widget&utm_source=widget_foxmarks
last pass doesn’t work so well, in fact, its very aggravating!!!!! And even though I tried to import passwords, it never did them and had to do each one again as it came up, a real pain in the ass!!! And I always had probs with Sync, it never seemed to work very well.
nothing seems to work as effortlessly as xmarks did, all in one
so sad!