Yes -- you're paying for the piece of software, not the service, from Nexthaus. The SyncML service is a generic term (spec, actually), there are other ... providers? other than Mobical. Hit up Google and search for like "free syncml server" and you'll get tons of hits to various things. Personally I have been using Mobical for years with many different handsets, and I just really like what they offer.

It's RIM, MS and Palm who have chosen to stick with only their proprietary sync protocol stacks that ship with the devices (wireless sync/BES, ActiveSync, and HotSync) and do not include a SyncML stack for you to use, hence the need to purchase an aftermarket software on these devices. It seems $25 or $30 is the standard going rate on all of them. The lack of SyncML by default on these devices basically locks you into their proprietary world -- which really sucks in the case of RIM when you're not a Windows user.

Other devices - Nokia S40 and S60 (Symbian), Moto (both classic and new EZX linux-based devices), Samsung (non-winmobile), etc. - all provide a SyncML stack in their firmware for you to use, free of charge. In this case, everything is 100% free to do, there's no $30 'startup cost' to get them sync'd and your contacts/calendar onto the device.

Some carrier branded firmwares hide the Sync service on these handsets though - in the case of Nokia and Samsung, nothing other than a complete firmware replacement with unbranded code will get you the option back. In the case of Moto devices, the Sync applet is easily unlocked with a USB cable and some basic know-how.