Syncing will always be "slower" because of the international Micro USB standard Android uses. Apple priority 30-Pin connector which, albeit much bigger, has more pins for data and power so it'll be faster with syncing.
Try pulling out the sd card after a power down, and use a card reader and a direct connection to your computer for you initial "sync".
As for daily syncing in general, I use Missing Sync which is far better that Double Twist will ever probably be.