Database Users

My MDA and my Mac

Hey there,
This is my first post. I'm a mac user (no snide comments please). I just got the MDA a few weeks ago, and just can't figure out if it's worth it for me to keep this thing. It surfs the web like sh**. Slower than a snail. I'm on the T-Mobile GPRS system, which is supposed to be really fast.
I've been reading a lot about the ability to MOD my MDA. But if i can't sync the sucker to my Mac, how can i get the files necassary to MOD the MDA? Let me add that i have NO idea how to MOD the MDA. Things like changing the THEME, the font color, etc.
Thanks for reading this post.....
Whalien

There is no official support for the Mac on any Windows Mobile device, but there are third party tools out there. The Missing Sync (2.5 beta) will sync to Windows Mobile 5 devices. It works nicely and syncs with iCal, Address Book, Entourage, etc. The beta only syncs via Bluetooth, but if you get the USBSwitch tool and switch the mode to Serial, Activesync via USB will work as well.
If all you want to do is send files to your MDA, all you need is OS X's built in tools. Pair the MDA with your Mac and use the Bluetooth file transfer utility to send files. You can also install from CAB files this way; send them to your phone and run it there.
What Mac do you have? If you have an Intel one, you can install Parallels Desktop, which provides a virtualization environment for running Windows inside OS X. They have rudimentary USB Support, but it's getting better. You can also install Boot Camp and boot to Windows when you need to sync.

See there you are with alot of options, dont give up on the MDA yet

got O2 Atom as well as missing sync 2.5. MS froze during connection

I too love my Mac and... well, like my Wizard. But I'd have real reservations about keeping the Wizard if you don't at least have regular accesss to a Windows thing. (An Intel Mac dual-booting would work, of course; Virtual PC mostly works too.)
Here's how I coordinate the Mac and the Wizard:
1) You really do need to flash the ROM, and you need a PC to do it. (I didn't risk this on Virtual PC, but it might work.) I grabbed an old Windows 2000 laptop, put ActiveSync on it, and it works fine. Run LokiWiz or another program to CID and SIM-unlock the phone, then put the newest customized 2.21 USA T-Mobile ROM on it. It makes EVERYTHING better - I get 3 bars where I used to get 0, you get push e-mail support, etc. But if you don't have access to a PC, you can't do this, and you're stuck with the terrible ROM T-Mobile gives you.
You also need a PC to install some software that doesn't come in a .cab installer, though sometimes you can just launch the installer in Virtual PC and grab the .cab file it unpacks and hand-install that.
2) You can pair the Wizard with the Mac through Bluetooth and use it (a) as an EDGE modem and (b) to push files. Use Bluetooth File Exchange, always dismiss the warning that the type of file isn't supported, and the file will push to your Wizard. This is a good way to install programs that come in .CABs. The other way, of course, is to get an SD reader and mount your MiniSD card.
3) There's a great little shareware utility called SyncTunes that will sync an iTunes playlist and your podcasts to an SD card (or MiniSD, of course). I mount my SD card and use that to sync music fairly regularly. iPhoto can also pull photos and videos off the card. Of course. I mean, of course it Just Works.
4) Although it's not as smooth as an iPod with video, non-protected video files prepared for the iPod work pretty well. I use the free iSquint to convert, and play back with TCPMP (with the AAC plug-in).
5) Finally, syncing. I haven't bothered trying Missing Sync, and don't expect to, because you don't need to.
Just make sure you have an Exchange account. If you have one for your main e-mail account, great; if not, get one through mail2web.com. (You might need to get the $2/month rather than the free one for all of this to work.) I'll assume you also have Entourage (the Mac equivalent of Outlook in MS office). Make sure you install the latest Entourage service patch.
That patch allows Entourage to sync with Address Book and iCal. So use Entourage to sync your Exchange account with your Mac information. Then use ActiveSync over-the-air to push all that stuff onto your Wizard. (I.e., configure an ActiveSync server on your Wizard.) Magically, all your Address Book and iCal stuff is there! And, if you do it right, changes on the handheld should sync back to iCal eventually as well (albeit always in the Entourage category).
Hope that's helpful. I'll keep an eye on this thread if any of that didn't make sense, or my fellow Mac faithful are welcome to message me.

As much as I've used Missing Sync in the past for other devices, it just doesn't work well with the Wizard. Too many problems. I also us it with my Mac all the time and I have an account with 4martphone.com. The nice thing is you can stay in sync without actually having to connect and sync (which i'd forget to do all the time). I use Entourage to sync with that Exchange account, then I configured Entourage to sync with OS X's databases (address book, ical, etc). My only wish now is a simple app for my phone that will let me mount the card on my mac as if it were a USB drive.

more on my mac and my MDA
monkey_42 thanks for the DETAILED post. it's so good to finally get some response to my questions concerning the MDA and my MAC. so far, i've only been able to bluetooth some apps to the phone and they seems to be running fine, SPB weather and AGILE messanger. aside that, i'm scared to do the ROM update. read loads of bad reports and issues people have been having. but you're a mac guy so that sooths my concerns. but back to the main issue, how the heck to i get the stuff on the computer. we havea PC at work. i suppose i'll update the ROM the way you mention. thanks again.
T-Mobile claims that they're working on fixing the CHAT issues they're having with the MDA. So at this point, their OZ app doesn't work. They gave me 50 mins extra this month to compensate. Thanks for nothing. But AGILE does work.
sounds like Entourage is the only way to SYNC my Mac to the MDA. So does that mean MAIL is out? i've been using that app for years now. i'd hate to have to give it up. any idea if there are mac folk out there working on any of these issues? it's such a pain to have to deal with a PC.....i know i now own on....time to learn how to deal.
thanks for the reply's guys. l'm hoping this will start more dialog concerning the mac and the mda.
cheers,
whalien

card reader
dma....didnt' mean to leave you out in my last response. i too wish the mac would recognize the miniSD when i plug it in via USB cable. no luck either.
is there a mac forum we can contact about this? everyone on this is just PC. i have no idea what they're all talking about. wish i was more PC fluent.
cheers,
whalien

MDA Working as Modem on a Mac
I was wondering if anyone had a way to use tthe mda as a modem on a mac using bluetooth and or usb? Thanks

Re: card reader
whalien said:
i too wish the mac would recognize the miniSD when i plug it in via USB cable. no luck either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used WM5torage to mount the miniSD on my G4 iMac. Works pretty well with OSX, but I had problems with OS 9. Search the forum or Google for a link.
*** LATEST ***
Seems I was mistaken and WM5torage doesn't in fact work on my Mac. I must have used my card reader (which is also oblong and silver) to mount the miniSD card. Sorry if I've misled anyone with this posting.
*************
There's also Softick CardExport II which does the same thing, although you have to pay for this. (They wouldn't let me migrate my Palm licence, so I'm not too happy with them.)
Both apps work by emulating the USB mass storage interface over USB, which is the same way that most modern external USB hard disks work.
HTH

sounds like Entourage is the only way to SYNC my Mac to the MDA. So does that mean MAIL is out? i've been using that app for years now. i'd hate to have to give it up. any idea if there are mac folk out there working on any of these issues? it's such a pain to have to deal with a PC.....i know i now own on....time to learn how to deal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think I know what you mean by syncing mail with the OS X Mail.app. You sync mail with your server, not with your desktop mail client. What is your mail coming from? If it's coming from an Exchange server, you sync with that; ditto if it's coming from a POP server. Who's your mail account with - yahoo? gmail? your office? That determines how you check mail on the Wizard, not what program you use to check that same account on the Mac.
When I wrote about Entourage above, that was as a way of syncing tasks/contacts/calendar with an Exchange server. I assume that if that's working for you, you're just checing Exchange mail with Mail.app. If that's the case, just set up your Wizard to ActiveSync with the Exchange server and all will be well.
If that's not the situation, please explain better what you mean by syncing mail with Mail.app, and we'll see what we can do here.

I'm using Missing Sync 2.5 alpha 10 release. I have just found USBswitch which works great.
I can dual boot windows on my intel iMac, but syncing with outlook is not great - it seems to miss the last week or two's appointments.
I haven't tried my windows laptop for outlook - maybe that would work better.
I sync with iCal & Address Book. It won't sync with iCal, but if I enter all my appointments in iCal & let the Mac overwrite my MDA Vario, then all is ok.
Address book seems to sync properly.
Mounting the Vario works in 2.5a10, but unmounting seems to lock up the iMac every time, so it is a last resort.
I'm not upgrading to the US T mobile ROM. everything will be wrong for me in the UK.
I'm contemplating using the imate Rom 2.17 wwe version. What benefits will it give me over my 1.6.2.4 UK T mobile ROM?
And how will I get back all my T mobile stiings for the UK such as GPRS/voicemail/SMS/MMS etc.

syncing with the mac
hey Monkey_42
you wrote:
I don't think I know what you mean by syncing mail with the OS X Mail.app. You sync mail with your server, not with your desktop mail client. What is your mail coming from? If it's coming from an Exchange server, you sync with that; ditto if it's coming from a POP server. Who's your mail account with - yahoo? gmail? your office? That determines how you check mail on the Wizard, not what program you use to check that same account on the Mac.
i appologize for not being more specific. i do use my work email's server, and it pushes my emails to me no problem. the issue i'm having is that i'm trying to become a more appointment accurate indivdual. i figured the best way to do this was by enlisting a smartphone in my everyday routine. seeing that i am a MAC user, i was hoping to include my address book and my ical on my phone, and visa versa. i enter appointments and address directly to the phone most of the time, but sometimes that's tedious and then there's no way to get it on my MAC. when i had a PALM PILOT years ago, i could utilize the PALM software to sync the info to and from my old device, thus backing up any data i had just entered on my phone to my computer.
with the new MDA, there's no way for me to do this. i have seen the MISSING SYNC app out there. but is it worth it for me to buy it? just seems like there's got to be a way to get my phone and my computer on the same page. without spending another $80.00 i'm new to the organizing routine and i'd like to be sure i'm going about it the most efficient way so i can build on a good routine from MDA to MAC and MAC to MDA.
thanks again for the reply. might i ask if you've updated your ROM? and what other things have you modified on your device? i'd like to change my TODAY colors and layout. any suggestions?
cheers,
whalien

whalien -
to change the theme: start-settings-today to change the theme.
to change the way the soft buttons work in Today : start-settings-soft key
to change buttons: start-settings-buttons
to change the menu in today: start-settings-menu.
i.e explore your device!

A couple of pains...

Hello all
Right, so I've had my Wizard for a couple of months so far and it's struck me as a wonderful piece of miniaturisation. But I've found the OS lets it down - WM2005 tries to do too much and thus fails as the basic features, stability and user-friendliness. Anyway, bashing Microsoft isn't why I'm here today
I've managed to sort out most of the pressing concerns with the device, especially the sluggishness (fixed with a firmware upgrade from O2, my carrier). But there are a few things that bother me still:
1) When adding a new ToDo task or contact, the first field loses focus after a random amount of time, halfway through typing. This is incredibly annoying as I have to, after typing in thef first few letters, refocus the cursor at the end of the text to continue typing. This only effects the default (first) field selection, ie, the contact or task name.
2) When plugged into my PC, it appears as a network device. Fair enough, I can see the logic behind a phone being classed as a network device. What's annoying as that whenevr I plug it in, a network connection is set up which become the primary - overruling my LAN connection to the internet. Now I never use my phone as a modem, but I still have to unplug or disable it if I want to access the web or do other PC-based networking activites.
3) Hotmail. I can't believe this was built into the email client. How can it be removed? And can the 'Outlook' email be made to download email directly? It's completely pointless to have to maintain two email profiles for the same account - one for email received via Outlook and the other for directly downloaded messages. I need to reply to SMSs for them to be marked as 'read'. Anyone know if this is usual behaviour? Better yet, are there any decent alternatives to the messaging suite? I really loved the threaded SMS views of the Treo and its email client, but haven't found any PocketPC equivalents.
4) I'm really hating Outlook on my desktop - the only reason I installed it was to allow (half) my emails to by sync'ed. I've been yearning to get back to Thunderbird but have been held back by my phone. However, recently, I heard of something called FinchSync, which claims to allow Thunderbird-WM2005 email/contact sync'ing. Anyone used it?
5) Skype. I like Skype and would love to see it on my phone. I knew when I brought it that it probably wouldn't be able to run it and my tests (even if OC'ed to 252MHz) show that it doesn't really work (gets tantilizingly close). Yet I hear people claiming it works perfectly on their devices - I was wondering if there's a clever trick to this.
Phew - that's a load!
Thanks

F*SH said:
Hello all
Right, so I've had my Wizard for a couple of months so far and it's struck me as a wonderful piece of miniaturisation. But I've found the OS lets it down - WM2005 tries to do too much and thus fails as the basic features, stability and user-friendliness. Anyway, bashing Microsoft isn't why I'm here today
I've managed to sort out most of the pressing concerns with the device, especially the sluggishness (fixed with a firmware upgrade from O2, my carrier). But there are a few things that bother me still:
1) When adding a new ToDo task or contact, the first field loses focus after a random amount of time, halfway through typing. This is incredibly annoying as I have to, after typing in thef first few letters, refocus the cursor at the end of the text to continue typing. This only effects the default (first) field selection, ie, the contact or task name.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hm never had that problem
2) When plugged into my PC, it appears as a network device. Fair enough, I can see the logic behind a phone being classed as a network device. What's annoying as that whenevr I plug it in, a network connection is set up which become the primary - overruling my LAN connection to the internet. Now I never use my phone as a modem, but I still have to unplug or disable it if I want to access the web or do other PC-based networking activites.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it has to be related to your PC networking settings[routing i think]. right now my wiz is connected and I use net ;]
3) Hotmail. I can't believe this was built into the email client. How can it be removed? And can the 'Outlook' email be made to download email directly? It's completely pointless to have to maintain two email profiles for the same account - one for email received via Outlook and the other for directly downloaded messages. I need to reply to SMSs for them to be marked as 'read'. Anyone know if this is usual behaviour? Better yet, are there any decent alternatives to the messaging suite? I really loved the threaded SMS views of the Treo and its email client, but haven't found any PocketPC equivalents.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this is related to way of managing mails. Outlook is build in acount fo handling sync'ed mail's and standard pop3 is for handlig popped mails. Actually I am not syncing my e'mails (my inobx on pc is larger thn my sd card ) but imo there is another way of managaging (ie. on my pop3 account emails are deleted from device when read and older than settins)
4) I'm really hating Outlook on my desktop - the only reason I installed it was to allow (half) my emails to by sync'ed. I've been yearning to get back to Thunderbird but have been held back by my phone. However, recently, I heard of something called FinchSync, which claims to allow Thunderbird-WM2005 email/contact sync'ing. Anyone used it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope
5) Skype. I like Skype and would love to see it on my phone. I knew when I brought it that it probably wouldn't be able to run it and my tests (even if OC'ed to 252MHz) show that it doesn't really work (gets tantilizingly close). Yet I hear people claiming it works perfectly on their devices - I was wondering if there's a clever trick to this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
on my OC [240] wiz skype is working flawleseverything I've done is oc my wiz. skype was included on rom I am using.
Phew - that's a load!
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iv that was a help, np. [/quote]

Hi savac
Thanks for the reply - I'm thinking you're right about the networking issues being on the desktop.
You got your Skype on a ROM - I downloaded mine from the Skype website. I opted for the 'low power' version, I assume that's the one everyone else uses?

Arrgghh, my heads gonna explode...

This is really starting to do my head in... its so frustrating...
Since switching from my old trusty (?) Blue Angel on WM2003 to my new Wizard on WM5 this week I just can't seem to get anythingto work properly...
First off Avantgo and ActiveSync... I've tried 4.1 as supplied with the phone. 4.2 and 4.5b2. I've tried the latest AvantGo6... but 9 out of 10 times when ActiveSync tried to synchronise my AvatGo stuff it just sits there for hours and hours pretending to sync (the display claims 0/1 in the progress in ActiveSync).
Then there's TomTom (Navigator 5)... I finally got it to install by manually clicking each .cab file in the 2577 folder.. but now none of my POIs show up on the maps. THey are not TomTom POI files so they are not locked to a product code, and the POIs are searchable, so the files are being read..
Then there's getting the thing to work as a bluetooth connected GPRS modem.. or not as the case may be. Haven't got anywhere with that one.
The GPRS monitor software supplied with the phone by O2.. somewhow didn't install the Today plug in part so I had to contact spb and get them to give me a serial number for the latest version (which they did - thanks guys!).
Bluetooth connections to things just seem shoddy under WM5 altogether. The WM2003 way worked perfectly for me, I just don't get the new way.
I might even have to come back and add more to this rant as I discover more annoyances! Not really Wizard specific stuff I guess, but WM5 stuff in general... arrrggghhh.
-FM

A tip for your personal safety:
Have someone else take all firearms and any sharp objects out of your house! Also any medications that you could overdose on.
If you are not already seriously demented, the use of both Windows Mobile 5 and Activesync in any version 4 and greater can be extremely hazardous to your mental health!
You may find yourself crying uncontrollably and unexpectedly at times.
AS4.X and WM5 are not for the weak of heart!!
And I have been using the PPC/Windows Mobile platform since it was introduced. The sync speed - once you do get it to sync - is about the only improvement that I have found.
Wait till you realize that:
You can no longer sync wirelessly - no WiFi sync support at all.
You can no longer sync a subset of your contacts; it's all or none. (I have >2000 contacts, but I always synched only about 450 to my devices by keeping them in a separate Outlook folder and designating that as the Contacts folder to sync with... No longer supported!)
You cannot sync Contacts Notes.
You can no longer designate where to install programs in Activesync; only on the device itself.
CAB files on WM5 are automatically deleted after you try to install them - even if the installation fails for any of the many reasons they do with WM5, particularly on HTC Wizards. (TIP: Keep a separate copy of all CAB files you intend to install in a separate folder on your storage card).
WM5 auto-uninstalls any program for which you try to install an update. And most of the time the installation fails, leaving you with a lot of files but no working program. (TIP: Always uninstall any application that you are going to update, and perform a soft reset to reclaim memory immediately before the installation).
This should start you off on your road to total insanity!! Good luck - you'll need it! :shock:

J-Mac said:
Wait till you realize that:
You can no longer sync wirelessly - no WiFi sync support at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can however sync wirelessly using Bluetooth.
I successfully sync every time using BT so I can leave the USB cable n my car with the charger.

Thanks J-Mac, at least I know I am not going mad I was positive that there was a way of specifying a particular *.pst file from Outlook to sync with (I have a lot of business contacts in Outlook at work that I don't need/want on my phone) and have spent hours trying to find the setting.
At least now I know it isn't me and is in fact the newer version of Activesync no longer supporting this facility (how disappointing, it was so useful )

Nicky said:
Thanks J-Mac, at least I know I am not going mad I was positive that there was a way of specifying a particular *.pst file from Outlook to sync with (I have a lot of business contacts in Outlook at work that I don't need/want on my phone) and have spent hours trying to find the setting.
At least now I know it isn't me and is in fact the newer version of Activesync no longer supporting this facility (how disappointing, it was so useful )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, though that still effectively takes away any long-distance synching other than using Exchange. If a particular device or wireless operator is not offering that capability, and a user is not technologically adept at or comfortable with flahing a modified ROM onto their device, it ties you to your own personal PC like the very early days of MS's Handheld OS.
I had been using a small BT dongle - looks just like a USB flash mem key drive - for a while to sync w/my Dell inspiron notebook, but that died a while back. The connectivity, that is.
Not sure why. Devices pair up OK and start to connect, AS starts spinning its green disc as usual, COM ports are properly set, firewall either with proper permissions and ports opened - or even off altogether, and I suddenly get a dialog about security verification on that device, blah blah. Can't remember exactly now, but after spending a good part of each day for a week I just gave up and starting using IR. Probably the Dell, but I don't really know.

J-Mac said:
CAB files on WM5 are automatically deleted after you try to install them - even if the installation fails for any of the many reasons they do with WM5, particularly on HTC Wizards. (TIP: Keep a separate copy of all CAB files you intend to install in a separate folder on your storage card).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well there is a registry hack to keep the cab files and not delete them.
But we want WiFi sync M$ :!:

Mac folks: anyone try Syncmate yet?

Wondering if anyone had kicked the tires yet on Syncmate
http://www.eltima.com/products/syncmate/
Just noticed it on versiontracker this am... says its WM6 compatible.
Mike

I've just installed it. Whenever I connect, it gives me a prompt on the device that I must have ActiveSync 4.5 or newer on your computer, then SyncMate asks me for a password. I have no idea what to put in since I don't use a password on my PPC. Tried my Mac password - no luck. Seems like an equal program to MissingSync if I can get it working

Same problem here!!!
MynticeLX said:
I've just installed it. Whenever I connect, it gives me a prompt on the device that I must have ActiveSync 4.5 or newer on your computer, then SyncMate asks me for a password. I have no idea what to put in since I don't use a password on my PPC. Tried my Mac password - no luck. Seems like an equal program to MissingSync if I can get it working
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got the same problem.
It looks good if it works.

Exactly the same issues here too - I hope they get this working properly as it looks extremely promising.

On one of my machines it seems to be working, but uses the old Mark/Space network connection, and then I get the password error that everyone else is getting. On my other "cleaner" machine, it doesn't even create the new network connection.
Looking forward to not having to give any more money to Mark/Space for WM6 support. Anyone filed a bug report with Eltima on this?

I haven't filled in a bug report as such - but I have made a comment on this site http://blog.eltima.com/ (their official blog).
The comment doesn't seem to have been approved yet, but it may pay for others experiencing the same issues to comment too.

Good looking UI, but poor QA effort by Eltima
Just like everyone here, same problems. Looks much better than my PocketMac (which I removed from my Mac 2 weeks later for the crashes).
Please resolve the password and handshake problems everyone is experiencing..

If anyone gets this working could they please announce, ROM flashing/activesync and gaming are the only times I use the PC. The iMac is so cool.

I just posted a reply on the blog as well. Seems they are aware of it, don't know how it wouldn't have come up in programming - but hopefully they can get it fixed soon.

I have the same problem with my HTC S710.

Looks like a new version came out yesterday (the 27th)
Mike

zim2dive said:
Looks like a new version came out yesterday (the 27th)
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you tried it ?

I don't know if Mike has tried it - but I have and all I can say is that I have finally be able to delete the worthless pile of rubbish that is Missing Sync from my Mac.
Syncmate still has some bugs, but this new version manages to sync my contacts and messages without a hitch - something missing sync would do only on the rarest of occasions.
Given that this is only the seconds beta release of Syncmate, I'm really looking forward to watching this develop. It's beginning to feel like we (Mac users who own WM devices) have a valid syncing method - finally.

elroyel1327 said:
I don't know if Mike has tried it - but I have and all I can say is that I have finally be able to delete the worthless pile of rubbish that is Missing Sync from my Mac.
Syncmate still has some bugs, but this new version manages to sync my contacts and messages without a hitch - something missing sync would do only on the rarest of occasions.
Given that this is only the seconds beta release of Syncmate, I'm really looking forward to watching this develop. It's beginning to feel like we (Mac users who own WM devices) have a valid syncing method - finally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No password or activesync needed ?

elroyel1327 said:
I don't know if Mike has tried it - but I have and all I can say is that I have finally be able to delete the worthless pile of rubbish that is Missing Sync from my Mac.
Syncmate still has some bugs, but this new version manages to sync my contacts and messages without a hitch - something missing sync would do only on the rarest of occasions.
Given that this is only the seconds beta release of Syncmate, I'm really looking forward to watching this develop. It's beginning to feel like we (Mac users who own WM devices) have a valid syncing method - finally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't had a chance to try the new version yet.
Is there any interaction btw MS and SM? ie. need to do a full de-install of MS first?
Thanks,
Mike

My Take
So, here's my take on SyncMate.
The interface is good, but the documentation is crap, and it's clearly an early beta. There's a LOT of stuff they don't tell you. I'll try to summarize what I've learned:
The installer requires a reboot (you could guess this, but they ought to notify you)
You must enable "Advanced Network Functionality" on your device (Smartphones get it in Settings -> 6, 7, 4, or Connections, More, USB to PC)
Every time you disconnect your device (physically, or chagne connection mode), you'll have to restart SyncMate if you want to reconnect. Likely just a beta glitch
It is MissingSync Aware (in that it will warn you MissingSync is around, and will try to deactivate it, may fail, also probably just a beta glitch)
SyncMate does install a small application on your PDA, very similar to how MissingSync does
If things don't go exactly as in documentation, you have to go to tech support
The Auto-Configure thing for the network connection does NOT function under Leopard, you must manually add it
In this case, the USB connection is treated as a network connection, and currently things are kind of flaky getting the system to recognize the RNDIS as a network hook-up (happens sometimes, doesn't other times), at least under Leopard. Don't know if this is Mac OS or SM.
Sometimes you may have to induce SyncMate to connect to the PDA by telling it to Sync (Cmd+S or in the Sync menu, the button is grayed out)
I've been tinkering with it all day, I'm going to shoot off an e-mail to them right now, because since I've upgraded to Leopard, and MissingSync broke, this is my only choice (for now).

Does SyncMate have problems with the calendars? I noticed MissingSync tends to create several duplicates of my events (and To-Dos recently, even during failed syncs).

Still ask me for a password...

I just uninstalled TMS and installed the Nov 28 version of SM.
I was able to sync contacts and calendar with no issue (which are the only things I typically sync) (I might expand that to some iTunes later)
Looks like this is a "demo" version.. not sure if that suggest the final won't be freeware (as it was listed on Versiontracker) or not.
Any idea if this allows me to use my Macs internet connection (the was ActiveSync does) ?
Mike

New version out again. Last one worked for me, so I may not rush to try.

Gmail (IMAP) push for Pocket Outlook !Updated Ver 0.6.0

All,
I've let the first release of Imap Pusher Service out of the bag. It's still pretty rough, but if you configure it right, it works well enough that you may get a lot of enjoyment out of it.
The program runs in the background and subscribes to IMAP IDLE notifications. When the notifications arrive it can do a send/receive on the PocketOutlook account you specify, effectively enabling push email for your Gmail account (or other imap server that supports the IDLE command).
Again, there are some known issues with the current version (I will hopefully address these soon), but I would like to know what you think. Here's the link.
http://www.codeplex.com/ImapPusherService
Update: version 0.2.0 is released
Changes: more descriptive error messages, ability to turn on trace log to help me diagnose problems.
If you are having issues you would like to resolve, capture the trace log and send it to me.
Update: version 0.2.1 is released
Changes: found bug which was causing client to not be able to reconnect in some cirumstances, should be resolved.
Update: version 0.2.2 is released
Changes: fixed problem where IDLE command was not getting refreshed when IMAP server was being to chatty.
Update: version 0.2.3 is released
Changes: fixed problem where if IMAP server says that it has a server error this was ignored.
Update: version 0.5.0 is released
Changes: program will atttempt to connect data connection if not connected.
some resource leaks have been fixed, will hopefully prevent the hanging.
Update: version 0.6.0 is released
Changes: program allows you to save your settings, and will not prompt you next time you start it. To get the prompt again, currently you need to delete the settings file. Note that storing your settings stores your encrypted password on your device, and since this is an open source program, anyone can lookup how I do the encryption, so only use this option if you are comfortable, and change your email password if you lose your device!

Great
Great idea but... I can't manage to get it work.
I previously had a Gmail POP3 account which i setup to get mails manually.
Then I ran IMAPPusherservice, filled up parameters, OK... and then still waiting for emails...
What am I doing wrong ?
Thanks
Greg

gregouille said:
Great idea but... I can't manage to get it work.
I previously had a Gmail POP3 account which i setup to get mails manually.
Then I ran IMAPPusherservice, filled up parameters, OK... and then still waiting for emails...
What am I doing wrong ?
Thanks
Greg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe (hopefully) a simple solution, did you enable imap in your account settings in gmail?

It works great with my GMX account, well done!
But it uses 30% CPU if there is no data connection active, nor does Pocket Outlook play a sound when it receives the email...

works great!
Works great even with google apps gmail. Thanks

I'd like to mention once again the full service of Mail2Web. I'm very happy with it.
For those who don't know: they're offering Free Exchange-Accounts there.
This means you can sync your contacts, todo's, calendar and your e-mail with it. The Microsoft DirectPush is screaming fast!
But another solution i'm taking a deeper look into, is Z-Push. It's an opensource implementation of the ActiveSync protocoll. Which basically means you'd be able to have the same functionality as with an Exchange-Server.
It runs out of the box with a php-enabled webspace (need the right to set aliases via .htaccess). Had to figure it out myself, but the guys in the fora are kind. Another advantage of this solution (beside it is OpenSource and you can extend it yourself) is the possibility to plug it onto various groupware solution.
BTW: Push-GMail is the most popular example in the forum there.
Sry for my english..
Greetz

i have problems with .net framework.
which one do i need?

snudel said:
i have problems with .net framework.
which one do i need?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use .net framework 3.5

yeah, this release is quite a rough cut. its not very graceful if you enter your password incorrectly (double chck this if its not getting new mail). Or if you don't have the data connection runing already. for now it would be best to tell your data conection to sty on. I'm on a kaiser and I can easily use kaiser tweaks to do this. ad it was the default mode for my ppc6700 with sprint.
the reason why i'm bothering with this rather mail2web is that with mail2web you are entrusting your mail with yet another party, when google now supports everything you need for push obo.
anyway, if you configure this guy appropriately, even this early release should work for you. but if you are having trouble I hope to have a release out soon that wil identify your problems with ease. it just neds to contend with all the work I get paid to do ;-)

At the moment it requires .NET CF 3.5. This isn't strictly necessary from a functionality standpoint at the moment though, so I may try and downgrade it, if thats a problem.

client seems to disconnect, and not reconnect, after a while (mine was connected for a good 36 hours, this last time). I will have to track this down when I release a version with more tracing information (hopefully tonight).

this would be a great application to have once it starts working properly.
right now i use this other app whcih is a sms switch. you forward gmail to your sms address. when your phone gets the incoming sms for new mail, it automatically opens up poutlock and send/receives and gets you the new mail. this works great because you dont need to always be connected. it only connects when you get new mail. only problem is it uses SMS so if you dont have a unlimited text plan it's gonna really hurt you.
if you can develop this program it would be a great alternative. it would be even better if you dont always have to be connected as to save battery power.

The reason why I have released this is that it works pretty darn well now. With a glitch or two. IMAP IDLE, like ActiveSynch Direct Push require an open data connection though, because of the way that they work. The key is that they don't have to be broadcasting all the time, though. This works pretty well battery wise for most modern phones.
Any other form of notification would have to come through the data interaction your phone makes with the cell towers (like SMS), so you would probably have to pay for it (like SMS).
I've noticed that the new iPhone SDK has some allowance for notification routing, but I would assume this relies on keeping a data connection open.

version .2 is released, check first post for details.

gmurray said:
At the moment it requires .NET CF 3.5. This isn't strictly necessary from a functionality standpoint at the moment though, so I may try and downgrade it, if thats a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been looking for something like this for quite some time now. I'll give the current version a try. Being that most devices come with .NET CF, it would be nice if it wasn't dependent on 3.5.

version .21 is released, should be more stable, see first post or project page for details.

version 0.22 is released, check first post for details.

i have subscribed and keepin my eye out on each release. version .21 worked on and off. it didnt retrieve mail as fast as it should and sometimes it didnt retrieve at all. will try new version soon. thanks for developing it.
do you need to have your inbox running on the ppc for this to work or will it automatically open the inbox? just wondering if i should keep the inbox open in the background at all times as well. i tried it with the box open and close and it didnt work that time so it may be a glitch since it works sometimes when the box was open. but when i tried again with it open and close it didnt work so hard to tell.

I'm now test the lastest version.. I would really like the following features:
- save settings in .ini file
- auto start service if windows mobile starts
- Auto dial if no internet connection is present

This is great, it's working really well. I second the above post about saving the settings and auto-starting, but I'm guessing that's something you're planning on adding anyway?
I used to have Outlook check my Gmail account over IMAP every ten minutes and drop the data connection after two minutes of inactivity. I'm not sure what kind of effect leaving the data connection permanently on will have on my battery, but I'm certainly willing to give it a go for a day or two to see. Emails sent to myself as a test are coming through in well under thirty seconds from sending, and that's over a slow GPRS connection.
The area I live in doesn't have the best reception though, being virtually out in the sticks and all. I've not left the house since installing this, but what can I expect if I temporarily have no signal and the data connection drops? Will I start getting "Cannot connect" type error messages?
Thanks for your hard work, I'll be keeping a close eye on this one.