Sync your Google Contacts on iPads & Macs

CardDAV enables 3rd party clients, like the iOS contacts app, to sync your Google contacts. By supporting IMAP, CalDAV, and CardDAV together, we’re making it possible for 3rd parties to build a seamless Google Account sync experience. To sync your Google Contacts on iOS using CardDAV, please follow these instructions.. From: http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-new-way-to-sync-google-contacts.html