Method and apparatus for synchronizing address book in mobile terminal and server

A method of synchronizing an address book in a mobile terminal with an address book in a server, the method comprising:

• receiving a request to update at least one address book of a first user at an address book server, the request including updated contact information of a second user;
• determining if a mobile terminal of the first user provides an address book agent for receiving the updated contact information of the second user;
• and
• transmitting the updated contact information of the second user from the address book server to the address book agent,
• wherein the address book agent is configured to translate the updated contact information into synchronization information suitable for an address book application on a mobile terminal and transmit the synchronization information to the mobile terminal in response to a user initiating execution of the address book application on the mobile terminal.

An apparatus for synchronizing an address book in a mobile terminal with an address book in a server, the apparatus comprising:

• a communication unit for sending and receiving data from at least one communication network;
• a storage unit for storing an address book and an address book application;
• an input unit for receiving input from a user to control the address book application;
• and
• a controller for initiating executing the address book application in response to input from the user,
• wherein the address book application transmits a start signal to a terminal having an address book agent in response to initiating executing of the address book application,
• wherein the address book agent determines if the address book needs to be synchronized with an address book in a server, and
• wherein the server is associated with a network entity and the terminal is associated with a different entity.