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I'm a wannabe WinMo convert, and my new Droid X will arrive later today. As I surf the web trying to be as ready as possible for the transition, I'm struck by the fact that Android doesn't sync directly with Outlook. And to shortcut the immediate responses, I will never want to sync my personal & private info with "The Cloud" for all the world of hackers to see. The number of times (just within the past year alone) that we've all seen news reports of some supposedly secure Big Brother company having its servers hacked and its users' personal info stolen, means that cloud sync is not now - and may well never really be - a secure option.
From what I can gather from several hours of scouring the reviews, the cobbled-together 3rd-party apps that attempt to allow one to sync an Android phone directly to one's own computer - either via WiFi, BT or a USB cable - all fall short in some critical way or other, such as not including all of Outlook's data fields for a Contact. The data never appears on the phone, and when syncing back to the PC, those particular fields get erased on the PC too! So there's only limited success with "The Missing Sync" & "CompanionLink." (And Android-Sync is still a pre-alpha.)
This leads to the question. What desktop PIM software do you all use --- BESIDES Outlook?
Thanks!
Why don't you directly sync your X with the exchange server you're connected to with Outlook?
onelifexv said:
Why don't you directly sync your X with the exchange server you're connected to with Outlook?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He didn't indicate he had an exchange server. Just Outlook on his desktop.
Mason,
As much as I agree with your privacy arguments (and believe me, my friends and associates argue about this all the time), I just don't think Android is going to be fully functional for you if don't "let it go" and put those contacts on your google account.
I went through this when Droid 1 Launched. I had all of my data on my exchange server, and refused to move it to Google. Android 2.01 worked with exchange, but just barely. The whole process frustrated me, and I ended up taking the phone back and getting a TouchPro2.
Since then, I've given in and begun migrating my company info over to Google Apps. I still have my exchange server in the meantime, but all of my mail, etc is going through Google Apps for Domains. This time around, with Droid X, my sync experience is working a lot better.
I know that's not what you want to hear. But if your not willing to put your data in Google's hands (and I don't really blame you for not wanting to), then take the phone back and wait for the new Win Phone 7 devices.
Thanks for your replies. I also used the Touch Pro2 earlier this year, and more recently, the LG Fathom. The latter may be the last of the WinMo 6.5 phones, and that's really a shame, since it really worked well, just lacking HTC's Sense, Motorola's sound quality, and the latest generation's innovative 4.3" capacitive screens. Of course it synced perfectly, and all contacts were immediately available for voice command dialing on the phone.
Today I downloaded the trial of CompanionLink and installed DejaOffice on the Droid X. After the proper setup - which includes setting the Droid X to be in "USB Mass Storage" mode when connected via USB to the PC - it was able to sync calendar, contacts, notes and tasks.
BUT only in a manner of speaking. I promptly found out that I couldn't voice dial any of my contacts. Neither Calendar nor Contacts were sync'd with the Droid X's native Android apps; that required another, VERY long sync, having gone into DejaOffice's Sync Settings and selecting the options to ALSO sync with the Android native apps. And although I went into the Droid X's settings and deselected the option to sync my Google/G-mail account, I still suspect that my information went to the cloud - even though I didn't want it to - since the arrows under the Droid X's "3G" icon in the notification tray were gray the whole time, indicating data transmission. And despite all that, some of my contacts still mysteriously didn't make it into the native app, although they were in DejaContacts. So to voice dial someone inparticular, I STILL had to enter their contact info manually into the native Android contact app.
And all of my categories for all of my Notes were somehow stripped away when the Notes transferred into the Droid X; so now, they're all unfiled.
I don't know if I'm willing to put up with these headaches on a regular basis. But the preliminary reviews of Windows Phone 7 are very disappointing, and it can only be a matter of time before WM6.5 becomes so neglected that it's no longer usable. Oh well.
Zaphod! I remember fondly the Isaac Asimov novels.
MasonStorm said:
Thanks for your replies. I also used the Touch Pro2 earlier this year, and more recently, the LG Fathom. The latter may be the last of the WinMo 6.5 phones, and that's really a shame, since it really worked well, just lacking HTC's Sense, Motorola's sound quality, and the latest generation's innovative 4.3" capacitive screens. Of course it synced perfectly, and all contacts were immediately available for voice command dialing on the phone.
Today I downloaded the trial of CompanionLink and installed DejaOffice on the Droid X. After the proper setup - which includes setting the Droid X to be in "USB Mass Storage" mode when connected via USB to the PC - it was able to sync calendar, contacts, notes and tasks.
BUT only in a manner of speaking. I promptly found out that I couldn't voice dial any of my contacts. Neither Calendar nor Contacts were sync'd with the Droid X's native Android apps; that required another, VERY long sync, having gone into DejaOffice's Sync Settings and selecting the options to ALSO sync with the Android native apps. And although I went into the Droid X's settings and deselected the option to sync my Google/G-mail account, I still suspect that my information went to the cloud - even though I didn't want it to - since the arrows under the Droid X's "3G" icon in the notification tray were gray the whole time, indicating data transmission. And despite all that, some of my contacts still mysteriously didn't make it into the native app, although they were in DejaContacts. So to voice dial someone inparticular, I STILL had to enter their contact info manually into the native Android contact app.
And all of my categories for all of my Notes were somehow stripped away when the Notes transferred into the Droid X; so now, they're all unfiled.
I don't know if I'm willing to put up with these headaches on a regular basis. But the preliminary reviews of Windows Phone 7 are very disappointing, and it can only be a matter of time before WM6.5 becomes so neglected that it's no longer usable. Oh well.
Zaphod! I remember fondly the Isaac Asimov novels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"It's like Deja Vu, All over again." These are the exact issues and problems I ran into in my first encounter with Droid. At the time, I felt like the TP2 was a viable alternative to the Droid (wasn't nearly as fast, but had nice screen, better keyboard, etc.) so I just bailed out.
Much like you, I don't believe there is a viable alternative any longer. I too have no enthusiasm for Win Phone 7, and highly doubt that any advanced hardware is going to come with win 6.5X at this time.
I will also pass along this small piece of advice. Either embrace the cloud, or dump the phone. The more 'interconnects' you put between you and your data, the more frustrating this will be. It would be shame to have all of this power, and then limit its potential.
Instead of starting a new thread I thought this would be the best place to ask. First time Android user long time WM user so excuse my ignorance. I have an exchange / outlook setup that is working great with the corp sync of android but I have Notes that of course MS thought it was a good idea not to sync OTA. I used to connect my WM phone via BT or USB and sync the Notes with ActiveSync every couple of days or so to make sure they were updated on both device and Outlook. I know I can't use ActiveSync, what kind of solution does Android provide for this type of sync? I am open to anything as long as it is free as I don't really want to spend money on something that used to be free under WM.
Anyone? No one coming from a TP2 used notes?
I tried once more to sync the X locally, using the Mark/Space Missing Sync software (which requires Fliq Notes & Fliq Calendar to be installed on the phone, and Missing Sync on both the phone and the desktop). This too proved entirely too problematic, with ridiculously erroneous syncs that proved entirely unreliable for a business user.
It took another day of wrangling/justifying/coming to terms, but I finally relented and took Zaphod's advice to embrace the Cloud. gSyncit has proven to be a reliable, easy-to-use sync app for me, but it does require sending all of your stuff to Google, and then setting the phone to sync with Google. Calendar & Contacts work fine, and Notes works by syncing to Google Docs. The latter is then synced to the phone using the GDocs app, downloaded from the Marketplace. I've abandoned Tasks for now, but apparently it can sync by creating a 2nd calendar - a Tasks Calendar - in Google Calendar.
I'm also battling this Outlook to Droid X sync issue. I've come to realize the "best" way to resolve this is to give into Google's global domination plan and simply use my Google Calendar to sync via the cloud. However, I'm worried about duplication of meetings (which has happened in the past with the Dx using CompanionLink and DejaOffice, and with WM6.5 on my Imagio). My other question/issue is whether my contacts associated with my Gmail account have to be merged and subsequently synced with all my business contacts. My Gmail contacts include almost 1,000 email addresses, many of which I never use and don't recognize.
I'm also running Outlook 2007 with Win 7 64-bit. I've tried using Google Calendar Sync but it doesn't play nicely with 64-bit Win 7 (I guess that one sneaked up on Google?).
Any input is appreciated.
I work with small businesses helping them with handhelds and CRM. All my small businesses are using hosted exchange server for mail. Some use Blackberries, others iPhones, a tiny portion Windows Mobile and now I'm "dog-fooding" Android so I can find out what works. Believe it or not, only about 5% of my customers use Outlook tasks. Most rely on the calendar for task management. I myself do use tasks so I'm trialing Remember the Milk and syncing to it from Outlook using Gassumo Outlook to Remember the Milk sync. That's working quite well.
I've found that the contacts and calendar sync have some quirks that I'm coming to grips with - it seems sometimes to use File As, other times not to so sometimes the names are backwards. The calendar has been OK
I'm hoping PocketInformant for Android gets finished soon. They are beta testing now. I've been using it on Windows Mobile for years. It's very polished, those guys know how to build a handheld PIM.
Exchange is a great way to do OTA sync. You put the contact in Outlook and it's on your phone, same with calendar.
I'm a big OneNote user on the desktop, on Windows Mobile I used it only for a single purpose - to label photos I took of equipment I deploy. I would type the client, location, purpose and then take photos of the asset tags, serial numbers etc. To get them onto the desktop I had to USB sync but this system is very handy, if I needed to call Dell about a machine I have the asset tags right at hand. I'm looking at Evernote to take over that duty. I don't really care if it lives on OneNote, I just need to be able to annotate photos and get at them quickly during support calls.
Ok, I already know all the benefits of Android over WinMo. I'm not here to start a flame war. I just want to get at least some of the functionality I had with my Touch Pro 2. I'm really struggling here....
I'll list the problems I'm trying to surmount, in order of most important to least:
1) In-Call Recording: It worked perfect on my TP2 (legal in Colorado). I just hit Menu > Record. Every app I've tried on the Market sucks. If it even records at all (without a Force Close), I have to have it on speakerphone. With the TP2, it didn't matter if I was holding the phone, using Bluetooth, or had it on speaker. It just recorded... and very clearly. I saw one developer mention this is a hardware/software limitation. Will this ever be overcome?
2) Lack of sync options (primarily, text messages): Windows ActiveSync with Exchange was PERFECT. I could sync not just mail, contact, and calendar... but I could also sync Tasks (which is how I get most of my work done) and text messages (which was great for archival). A benefit of synching text messages was that I could send/receive/reply to texts from Outlook or Outlook webmail. Plus, if I had to flash my phone, all my texts were back after I set up my mail account. Will Android ever get to this level?
3) Mail folders: All I see is a giant, alphabetical list of email folders at the top of my Inbox. If I want to get to my "Mustang Stuff" folder (where all my Mustang-related thread notifications go), I've gotta spin the begeezus out of that list until I get to it. I don't want every folder in that list. There are archival folders (that start with the date in number format) that of course show up first. Not to mention, I have so many folders, that getting to the end (where Sent, Deleted, and Drafts) are, is a real PITA.
4) Bluetooth Functionality = Fail: I can't voice dial from my earpiece. I need this or I'll be running people off the road. This is something so fundamental, I can't believe Android was rolled out w/o it working. I've heard Froyo will fix this. Is that true? Will I be able to touch the button on my earpiece and "call, friend" without having to pick up my phone?
5) Answering calls on headset while BT earpiece is on: Again, something so fundamental.... With a Windows phone, if my earpiece is in my pocket and I answer the call with the phone itself, I can talk through the phone. Windows was able to tell if I answered the phone with the handset. If I wanted to switch to BT, I simply put it in my ear and hit the button. With the Android phone, I have to answer the call, then press the "headset" button. Not a huge deal, but definitely annoying.
That's about it for now. There are others, but they're pretty minor. These are the big ones.
Can anyone help/provide advice?
Sadly its all down to drivers. I don't even know if the sgs has hardware to record voice as early HTC phones didn't have like my Titan. Also you must understand android is not as mature as winmo (8 years for phone edition), like all new software it will have teething problems. Hell winmo 6.1 had heaps more problems then Droid 2. 1. We just need to be patient. Also what do you expect with syncin as ms controlled the OS and your apps. Shame we don't have that with but goggle isn't a OS company. There's always 3rd party apps to help you sync exchange. Ask around. I miss task and notes from Outlook but I've converted over to springboard, give it go as desktop ver is coming out soon. Evernote is good also with great desktop but sucky Droid app.
'Backup to gmail' is a good paid app that backs up sms/mms and call logs. Also does kies not do Outlook sync? I don't use kies or outlook anymore so I don't know as I've converted to using cloud based apps which ms is already trying to do with winmo 7
Sent from my Apple Newton 2100
coming from HTC WM phone i'm extremely happy about the move.
1 - just keep checking out difference call recording software from Market, personally i've not found any good one yet.
2 - to "sync" or backup SMS messages, i use the titan backup, which you can backup to your Gmail account
3 - no problem here as i use gmail
4 - working great for me for Audio and Stereo and Remote features
5 - same as 4 works perfectly out of the box
Car Deck is a Clarion CZ509 (sub, amps, & speakers... off topic ), stereo ear piece is Jabra BT8010 and/or Moto HT820
@ickyboo
Of course, I have to agree with a lot you've said. WinMo has been around forever. 6.1 was kind of a fail, but so was 1.5-1.6 on Android. 2.x leaves us in a much better state.
When I compare WinMo 6.5 and Android 2.1, I feel WinMo is still the better OS. I'll have to see what 2.2 brings to the table, though. All that voice activation should be good.
As for the drivers, I hope this is overcome... just like it was in Windows. There are still many phones that can't do it. All of my latest phones have been HTC phones, and all could do it without issue.
@AllGamer
Are you running Android 2.2? There is a rumor that answering from a headset with a BT device on will now act "smart".
no 2.2 yet,
still on stock firmware JH2
i9000M
3) voice dial via Bluetooth is in Froyo as is http://www.google.com/mobile/voice-actions/
I just found another ridiculousness that needs resolution.
I cannot download a .rar or a .zip file using the Android browser. Seriously... wtf?
My son was playing a game on his DSi Acekard that needed updated software (a legitimate backup, of course). So I head over to GBATemp.net to get the latest software. It was in rar forum, so I figured "No problem, I'll just hit the market after".
When I go to download, it says something to the effect of "this type of download is not supported".
So using an RDP program, I log onto my home PC, download the rar and convert it to .zip (thinking the problem was with the rar file itself). In addition, I put it on my own web server.
When I go to download, same message.
On my Windows phone I could download/extract Rar/Zip files all day long. How can something so fundamental be blocked by Android?
Flapjack said:
1) In-Call Recording: It worked perfect on my TP2 (legal in Colorado). I just hit Menu > Record. Every app I've tried on the Market sucks. If it even records at all (without a Force Close), I have to have it on speakerphone. With the TP2, it didn't matter if I was holding the phone, using Bluetooth, or had it on speaker. It just recorded... and very clearly. I saw one developer mention this is a hardware/software limitation. Will this ever be overcome?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a hardware level restriction, Android requires that the call steam be un-interceptable at a software level. It simply cannot be recorded like you want. The best apps can do is set the mic to record one side of the conversation (using speakerphone loopback) and actively record what you say at the same time. It's defiantely not ideal.
You might want to look into using something like Google Voice, that lets you record all your calls sever-side.
EDIT: Some phones allow this, in which case try using this... http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/com.killermobile.totalrecall.trial/
Flapjack said:
2) Lack of sync options (primarily, text messages): Windows ActiveSync with Exchange was PERFECT. I could sync not just mail, contact, and calendar... but I could also sync Tasks (which is how I get most of my work done) and text messages (which was great for archival). A benefit of synching text messages was that I could send/receive/reply to texts from Outlook or Outlook webmail. Plus, if I had to flash my phone, all my texts were back after I set up my mail account. Will Android ever get to this level?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install an app called SMS Backup+, it automatically syncs your SMS with Gmail as proper threads, and you can both read and reply to them in GMail, aswell as import them into another android phone. ( The sync is only active in one direction however, you need to manually 'restore' from GMail if you use another phone. )
As for tasks, you should give Astrid a try, it has full RTM (Remember The Milk) sync support and can manage your tasks very well.
Flapjack said:
3) Mail folders: All I see is a giant, alphabetical list of email folders at the top of my Inbox. If I want to get to my "Mustang Stuff" folder (where all my Mustang-related thread notifications go), I've gotta spin the begeezus out of that list until I get to it. I don't want every folder in that list. There are archival folders (that start with the date in number format) that of course show up first. Not to mention, I have so many folders, that getting to the end (where Sent, Deleted, and Drafts) are, is a real PITA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Obviously you aren't using GMail. I can't vouch for the crappy (others) e-mail client that comes with this phone.
Flapjack said:
4) Bluetooth Functionality = Fail: I can't voice dial from my earpiece. I need this or I'll be running people off the road. This is something so fundamental, I can't believe Android was rolled out w/o it working. I've heard Froyo will fix this. Is that true? Will I be able to touch the button on my earpiece and "call, friend" without having to pick up my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was under the impression that this worked already, but I guess not. You could setup shortcuts to otherwise bring up voice dial by pressing a shortcut, then it would work... :\
Flapjack said:
5) Answering calls on headset while BT earpiece is on: Again, something so fundamental.... With a Windows phone, if my earpiece is in my pocket and I answer the call with the phone itself, I can talk through the phone. Windows was able to tell if I answered the phone with the handset. If I wanted to switch to BT, I simply put it in my ear and hit the button. With the Android phone, I have to answer the call, then press the "headset" button. Not a huge deal, but definitely annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying that if your bluetooth headset is paired and you want to answer the call using the phone itself and not the headset, you have to click a button to disengage the headset? Again bluetooth is not very well integrated, it's a shame but at least it's not impossible to do what you want. :\
Flapjack said:
I cannot download a .rar or a .zip file using the Android browser. Seriously... wtf?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem here is the stock browser doesn't want to download files that aren't compatible with the android system, the easy fix is to install any file manager in the market that can handle ZIP or RAR. You won't need to open them (of course you can though) when you download them but it will certainly download the file for you.
Alternatively you could choose another browser that doesn't care about compatibility in downloaded file types.
There might be an option for this but I'm not aware of it.
Flapjack said:
2) Lack of sync options (primarily, text messages): Windows ActiveSync with Exchange was PERFECT. I could sync not just mail, contact, and calendar... but I could also sync Tasks (which is how I get most of my work done) and text messages (which was great for archival). A benefit of synching text messages was that I could send/receive/reply to texts from Outlook or Outlook webmail. Plus, if I had to flash my phone, all my texts were back after I set up my mail account. Will Android ever get to this level?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's an app in the market called GTasks. It syncs two-way with Google tasks (which you can find in Gmail, Google calendar, and which you can also access on your phone by going to gmail.com/tasks. The app is ad-supported, but you can also buy a key to remove the ads. It also comes with a very simple widget.
A lot of your comments seem to be related to Androids handling of Outlook integration.
You have to realize, Android is not made by Microsoft. Third party outlook integrations will never be as good as theirs. Android is geared to sync with google apps and the cloud.
That said, I have heard the best exchange client for Android is TouchDown http://www.nitrodesk.com/dk_touchdownFeatures.aspx It's not free though.
As for all your bluetooth questions... I am not having any problems with Bluetooth at all. Maybe it is your headset?
I came from Windows mobile and I too find a few things in Android annoying, but trying to go back is not even an option. Downsides of WinMo are far fewer than downsides of Android.
I'd rather just get an HD2 and be done with it. You are too much dependent on Windows Mobile and that's not a bad thing since it's pretty much worked for you well. I'm just saying, if it's become too much of a hassle to stay on Android, why bother?
Or you can have a WinMo device AND an Android!
Ok, I'm back. Overall, I love the phone. I've had some nasty episodes with )(*#$Y% Google's shoving of contacts down my throat. Apparently, anyone I've ever sent an email in Gmail to becomes a contact, whether I like it or not. On top of that, all those contacts got sync'd to my Vibrant when I first logged into the Market (which requires a Gmail account). Nowhere did it ask if I also wanted to sync my Google contacts, calendar, etc.... Well, the point is that I had almost Google 1000 contacts that I had to delete. I only want my Exchange contacts showing up. Freaking duplicate city. This was after I went into the synchronization settings and removed all synching of google mail, contacts, and calendars.
So, for the most part, everything has been fine. I even convinced my fiancee to give up her iPhone today (which is running like crap since an iOS 4 update) and get a Vibrant as well.
So I'm setting it all up and went in right away and set up Exchange email, only to find that I could not even open the built in "Calendar" App without adding a Gmail account? WTF? This phone is marketed as having Exchange Mail, Contacts and Calendar support.
Giving in, I add her Gmail account, which she NEVER USES, which of course automatically tries to take over her email to remove the Google synchronization. I get all that cleaned up and the only thing left is trying to make appointments work.
Setting up a new appointment, the phone always defaults to "My Calendar", which exists nowhere but the phone. I've been told that once I select my Exchange account, it should remember that. It doesn't. Occasionally, I'll forget to select my home mail and the appointment will stay on the phone. Another gripe... I don't think it can be fixed.
Finally, calendar invites allow you to select participants, but the invites never go out. I have to wait until the appointment syncs with my Exchange account, then go into Outlook on my PC, open the appointment, click on "Invitees", then click on "Send Update" (which returns an error that nothing has been changed). Once I've done that, the other invitees get the calendar invite. WHY?
Sorry for the long rant. I just don't see how this OS can ever be marketed as a corporate solution. I won't be going back to WinMo simply because the hardware in the Vibrant is fantastic. It does MOST of what I want... it just has some serious shortcomings. I'm hedging my bets on Froyo now. Does anyone have a good link that details the differences for Exchange on 2.2? I mean, really... Apple bit the bullet and paid the licensing to put true Microsoft Exchange Activesync on their iPhones. Can't Google do that too?
PC App that I love and works with outlook is Google Calander Sync give you the option of 2 way sync and one way sync. Works for me
Well for me the Samsung bloatware handles Exchange Accounts very well.
I'm syncing (by WiFi or 3G) 3 Exchange Accounts and just one of them with Contacts and Calendar.
Woolios said:
PC App that I love and works with outlook is Google Calander Sync give you the option of 2 way sync and one way sync. Works for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you use that on your PC to sync Outlook to Google Calendar? Then Google Calendar syncs to the phone?
But then you'd have to have it running on one PC that is always on, correct? I don't leave my PCs running 24/7 (nor am I going to), so this will be an issue.
If there was a program I could install on my Exchange server... that'd be a different story, as it does run 24/7 (obviously).
gmc said:
Well for me the Samsung bloatware handles Exchange Accounts very well.
I'm syncing (by WiFi or 3G) 3 Exchange Accounts and just one of them with Contacts and Calendar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have agree with that
i'm using the samsung hub, and it's amazing how it can handle all my 5+ different other accounts just using 1 simple app
and the most amazing thing is, it actually works!
back in the windows days, i had to dance up and down, and jug left and right just to be able to find 3 or more Apps to accomplish the same thing
AllGamer said:
i have agree with that
i'm using the samsung hub, and it's amazing how it can handle all my 5+ different other accounts just using 1 simple app
and the most amazing thing is, it actually works!
back in the windows days, i had to dance up and down, and jug left and right just to be able to find 3 or more Apps to accomplish the same thing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree, too. Funny that WinMo only allowed one Exchange account. The rest you had to use IMAP or POP. Pretty lame.
I'm also seriously considering trying RoadSync or TouchDown. Not sure how well they'll integrate, though. I tried an early version of RoadSync on the MyTouch and it was a PITA.
**EDIT**
Trying TouchDown now...
Well, Touchdown is pretty nice... most of the time. Since last night, I've had to force close it about 5 times. It locks up the entire phone... I can't even turn the screen on/off. Eventually, the screen will come on and a "Force Close/Wait" option will be up.
Damn...
AllGamer said:
i have agree with that
i'm using the samsung hub, and it's amazing how it can handle all my 5+ different other accounts just using 1 simple app
and the most amazing thing is, it actually works!
back in the windows days, i had to dance up and down, and jug left and right just to be able to find 3 or more Apps to accomplish the same thing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find the native Android outlook support to work way better than Samsung hub. Same with the native facebook sync.
I wish I could just delete Samsung hub. I don't know why companies feel they have to re-invent the wheel when Android already does this stuff.
brunes said:
I find the native Android outlook support to work way better than Samsung hub. Same with the native facebook sync.
I wish I could just delete Samsung hub. I don't know why companies feel they have to re-invent the wheel when Android already does this stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can, using Titanium Backup, to uninstall Samsung Hub
i'm about to get my new desire HD from orange tomorrow and i thought i better ask for a little advice.
as i'm upgrading from a touch HD the android experience is totally new to me, so i was hoping for a few hints and tips as to how to get the best from my new phone and what apps are going to be most interesting.
cheers
I've recently done the same (moved from a Touch Pro2). Main differences over WM you will find....
* Improved stability
* Improved responsiveness and speed
* Android app market makes obtaining apps and wider range of apps much better
* Overall a much more pleasant experience to use
* Battery life will be worse, but you can tune the device to improve this a lot
* Integration with Microsoft products is not so great although does support multiple Exchange profiles
An HD2 immigrant here
First of all you need to get used to the different logic of the system. You probably had HTC Sense on ur touchHD and when you see that the Sence in DHD is similar it's a bit leading.
The hardest for me was getting used to the fact that the "All apps" button is not "Start" and just brings u to everything that's installed ( no rearangements, no folders, no renaming )
Then comes the battery life. DaveTME was right that it sucks, but thats (IMO) only do to the fact that by default, every service u have installed is syncing all the time. If u tweak ur sync settings a bit u should get close to what u had in THD.
For further references you may want to check this out -> http://androinica.com/category/androidguide/
good luck and welcome
ta for the reading matter guys
at the mo i just sync my phone with outlook on my PC to get its contacts, notes etc.
does android do this out of the box?? i'm assuming i need a PC client, but do i need an app??
sning said:
ta for the reading matter guys
at the mo i just sync my phone with outlook on my PC to get its contacts, notes etc.
does android do this out of the box?? i'm assuming i need a PC client, but do i need an app??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly what I checked into before I made the jump from Nokia, where the Ovi Suite (PC Suite) would sync with Outlook. The HTC Sync SW supposedly does this but I had problems when I got the phone and, if you search about a bit, you'll find others have too.
What I did was to install HTC Sync anyway but also to install MyPhoneExplorer (... http://www.fjsoft.at/en/ ...). This installs on the PC and, as you surmised, on the phone. Works fine for me. I'm using XP Pro + Outlook 2000 (yeah, I know, behind the times but hey .... it all works!). MPE also has a forum where the developer is pretty responsive to issues.
I also sunc the calendars but use Gemini Calendar on the HD (search and ye shall find ... ). Much better than stock.
HTH.
Oh, and remember that Android is Google, which means they intend you to sync through the *cloud* and not to your PC. Especially with Microsoft's products, which is why you need to go 3rd party. When you get your DHD, before you do anything else, go into the menus and put everything on manual sync until you know what's happening. Or you'll end up with Facebook, Google and Uncle Tom Cobbly's contacts all on your phone ...
Download the manual from here .... http://www.htc.com/www/userguide.aspx?p_id=324 ...
Dave
sning said:
i'm about to get my new desire HD from orange tomorrow and i thought i better ask for a little advice.
as i'm upgrading from a touch HD the android experience is totally new to me, so i was hoping for a few hints and tips as to how to get the best from my new phone and what apps are going to be most interesting.
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same, i got my dhd yesterday. I'd say you'll love. explore for yourself you'll enjoy it very much but to start off i suggest angry birds, google googles, and set up facebook etc etc.
is there anyways to see your folders in sd card on android like file explorer on wm?
Gurps777 said:
is there anyways to see your folders in sd card on android like file explorer on wm?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OiFilemanager or AndExplorer should both do the job
another quick question, and i know this will sound totally dumb, but i have to ask.
do i NEED an google account to use this thing properly??
i dont use facebook or twitter or any other social media, so i'm happy to sync with outlook as its got all my contacts in up to date, and to be honest i'd rather not give google any more of my personal details thani have to!
Yes you need a google account. Aslo you can import your contacts into your google account and sync it to your phone.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
You do need a google account, but to be honest that is a good thing, the integration with Googles services is so tight. It provides the best email experience by a LONG way in my opinion, and the cloud features are fantastic.
Since switching to android i have also switched to a more "cloud" centric workspace, all my work is backed up to a cloud (2 actually!) and i keep copies of everything i need online aswell as on my PC so i can access it anywhere.
Its a shame you dont want to "submit" to google if you know what i mean, gmail is so, so slick.
*Spooky voice* It is the futuuuure!
I hope you enjoy your switch to android, i know i did!
J
unfortunatly i have an inherant distrust of "the cloud"
while i can see its benefits, i dont trust other people with my data, there's already been too many breaches, leaks, and lost data in the cloud for my liking
sning said:
unfortunatly i have an inherant distrust of "the cloud"
while i can see its benefits, i dont trust other people with my data, there's already been too many breaches, leaks, and lost data in the cloud for my liking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm with you on this one! You do have to set-up a Google email account BUT mine is just forwarded to my *real* email address so never use it for anything. I *assume* you may need it to buy apps. from the market but I've only downloaded free ones so far. Oh, it's *compulsory* to download Angry Birds, BTW, free on Android ...
Dave
How can sync my Outlook infos with Google Calendar and Contacts?
Get a gmail account, best out there. Just don't save your contacts to gmail. I got hacked from China and everyone on my email list got a virus infested email. Lucky I found out very quickly and told everyone before any damage was done.
As to sync. I just use HTC Sync downloaded from HTC web site. Works a treat
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Oh by the way has Orange messed up the OS like they did with the touch hd? (made mine useless)
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
I was wondering if the general support of DHD under MacOSX, and the practically of it.
Say like I want to sync my iTune songs, iCal event and, Address book with my HTC, will that be a lot of hazzle?
Also, by any chance there are users made their transition from iphone to android? I want to know hows the Contacts management with android compare to the iphone OS?
I am the kind of user that does a lot of texting, emails, has overly crowded schedule on my calendar and take pictures frequently. I was hoping any similar user can share with experience using the DHD, as I am still in deciding if I should get one.
Thanks
just use "Missing Sync for Android"
mymagicmyhero said:
just use "Missing Sync for Android"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked it out before, it seems it has a really poor rating. It is that bad?
Nope I'm very happy with this program. It can make transferring contacts very easy. The contacts are transferring with the picture and all the info. You can also sync calendars and many more things.
Its easy to operate with.
Many thanks for your reply.
I do have another question while on the subject, I assume most of the developer tools here, like S-OFF, radio tool, CWM, CustomROM, etc, are all made for windows platform?
franklin20uk said:
Many thanks for your reply.
I do have another question while on the subject, I assume most of the developer tools here, like S-OFF, radio tool, CWM, CustomROM, etc, are all made for windows platform?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unfortunately yes, they are.
Instead of missing sync I suggest Doubletwist for OS X. It's like iTunes for Android. It even syncs itunes playlists.
Just export your contacts to vCard, then import them in google contacts! about iCal just configure to use google calendar, for iTunes Double Twist
Cheers mate
gunnyman said:
Instead of missing sync I suggest Doubletwist for OS X. It's like iTunes for Android. It even syncs itunes playlists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1.
I own a DHD and an iMac, I use DoubleTwist to sync music.
My address book and iCal are synced with Google Contacts/Calendar and the DHD is synced with my google account.
All the Rooting tools sadly are only for Windows but you can simply use some adb commands for the rooting process.
Amit.W said:
+1.
I own a DHD and an iMac, I use DoubleTwist to sync music.
My address book and iCal are synced with Google Contacts/Calendar and the DHD is synced with my google account.
All the Rooting tools sadly are only for Windows but you can simply use some adb commands for the rooting process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the Google Contacts and Calender synced over the air (wifi/3d) with your android?
I wonder if it is possible to sync my hotmail contacts to the google contacts as well?
Yes, very interesting thread. I am using iPhone 4 now and am considering changing to DHD. I have couple of questions too (especially to those who converted from iP to DHD):
1. Is the phone app and signal better than in iP?
2. Is battery life the same (basically one day) as in iP?
3. From the reviews on UTube I am sensing that navigation/maps are inferior versus the Google Maps for iP. Is it true?
4. Is the system search instant as in iP? How about writing sms or email - when you start typing in the address line, are names appearing instantly?
Thanks in advance!
franklin20uk said:
Many thanks for your reply.
I do have another question while on the subject, I assume most of the developer tools here, like S-OFF, radio tool, CWM, CustomROM, etc, are all made for windows platform?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but a lot of developers , Cyanogen for one, actually use non windows OSes. So there are manual methods of doing S-OFF and root quite easily, also there are cross platform tools such as QtADB which allow you to manage ADB if your not comfortable with CLI
Well for me I had problems with double twist regarding the meta tags. Do all the editing with another program manually.
For copying mp3 files and photos I use my partition, but for roms and basically all other stuff I use my win 7 boot camp partition.
So I can use all the windows exe files and also don't have to eject the drive after copying some new stuff on my sd card
Swyped from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
Amator72 said:
Yes, very interesting thread. I am using iPhone 4 now and am considering changing to DHD. I have couple of questions too (especially to those who converted from iP to DHD):
1. Is the phone app and signal better than in iP?
2. Is battery life the same (basically one day) as in iP?
3. From the reviews on UTube I am sensing that navigation/maps are inferior versus the Google Maps for iP. Is it true?
4. Is the system search instant as in iP? How about writing sms or email - when you start typing in the address line, are names appearing instantly?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if I am right, but reception strength mostly is down to how good your phone network is. Regardless the little incident of the iphone "death grip"
Also, I think we simply cant generalize the battery life of a smartphone base on a few individual cases, because there is so many different things you can do on your smartphone, therefore too many factors to take into account. That being said, I think generally any smartphone that can last a little more then a day is good enough for me, especially when you are around a computer a lot like me. Your phone will hardly die since you are always in the proximity of a charger.
For the Google Maps and GPS function, I would be quite surprise if Google Maps in Android isn't implemented better iPhone. I mean come on, isn't google maps and android made by the same company????
From my observation, I think the Google Search in android is a little better then the standard search in iphone, I could be wrong thou, I would be interested to hear from users with first hand experiences.
Amator72 said:
Yes, very interesting thread. I am using iPhone 4 now and am considering changing to DHD. I have couple of questions too (especially to those who converted from iP to DHD):
1. Is the phone app and signal better than in iP?
2. Is battery life the same (basically one day) as in iP?
3. From the reviews on UTube I am sensing that navigation/maps are inferior versus the Google Maps for iP. Is it true?
4. Is the system search instant as in iP? How about writing sms or email - when you start typing in the address line, are names appearing instantly?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used a I4 for 6 month and now I'm a happy user of a DHD.
1. The signal problem depend on the carrier. I haven't any problem with I4 and it's the same with the DHD.
2. On the beginning, the baterry life is not great but it becomes good after 1 week (1 day but with the I4, I was on 2 day).
3. I used Navigon on I4 and I use the same navigation app on the DHD. The app start more slowly as on the I4 but there is no problem.
4. I doesn't use a lot the search instant. I have no problem with SMS or e-mail writing and the names appear quickly.
Synchronisation with my Mac.
Calendar and Contact : Synchronisation Mac <-> Google <-> DHD. I have before MobileMe. I imported all in Google and activated the synchronisation without any problem.
Itunes, photos, videos, podcast : Salling Media Sync sold on the Mac Store, this sinchronisation is done via USB (faster synchronisation). I have no problem with DHD and the song bought on Itunes. A lot of format are included by HTC.
Thanks a lot! I am starting to consider to wait for the alleged Desire HD2. Is it going to be launched this year indeed? If they launch it that fast this must mean they would be going for fast fixes ver the first version.
faggi said:
Calendar and Contact : Synchronisation Mac <-> Google <-> DHD. I have before MobileMe. I imported all in Google and activated the synchronisation without any problem.
Itunes, photos, videos, podcast : Salling Media Sync sold on the Mac Store, this sinchronisation is done via USB (faster synchronisation). I have no problem with DHD and the song bought on Itunes. A lot of format are included by HTC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a question regarding syncing iCal to Google Calender. It seems then after I added Google Calender to my iCal, all the future events that I add under "Google Calender" will be synced both ways.
However, all my old events previously added in my Home calender still stays offline. Is there a way to solve this? I can't even more my home calenders to Google Cal.
Please help
franklin20uk said:
I have a question regarding syncing iCal to Google Calender. It seems then after I added Google Calender to my iCal, all the future events that I add under "Google Calender" will be synced both ways.
However, all my old events previously added in my Home calender still stays offline. Is there a way to solve this? I can't even more my home calenders to Google Cal.
Please help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before the synchronisation of ICal with google, I imported all my events im Google (do an export of the events on your desktop and after go to google to import it, by this way, you will have a backup of your events). And after that I have done the synchronisation with ICal. When all Events are in ICal, I deleted the old calendar to delete the double events.
Amator72 said:
Yes, very interesting thread. I am using iPhone 4 now and am considering changing to DHD. I have couple of questions too (especially to those who converted from iP to DHD):
1. Is the phone app and signal better than in iP?
2. Is battery life the same (basically one day) as in iP?
3. From the reviews on UTube I am sensing that navigation/maps are inferior versus the Google Maps for iP. Is it true?
4. Is the system search instant as in iP? How about writing sms or email - when you start typing in the address line, are names appearing instantly?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Not noticed a difference between the two
2. Owning both, DHD is definitely worse but you can make it a lot better with a heck of a lot of tweaking so if that float your boat then it could be the same again.
3. No way, DHD wins in this area.
4. Yes, both in address line but also in the universal search like with Spotlight
Calendar as faggi highlighted, do an export from iCal first and then import in Google Calendars and then you can subscribe to it in iCal and it will sync with cloud and phone. However please be aware that if you have multiple calendars it looks rather clumsy in iCal when using Google compared to MobileMe
Contacts synching via Google contacts work well. However for some stupid reason, which as far as I have been able to found out has existed for years now, Google has a habit of compressing photos that you assign to contacts. A real bad thumbs down that is. Then also if you have people with double barreled names, pre/post fix titles Google gets its knickers in a twist also. It tries to be too clever in how it tries to understand where the space is and which part of the name goes well. This was perfect in MobileMe and Google is just messing it up, I've had to change my own name to get it to work.
Music/Video/Photos - Doubletwist is your friend, it works well together with iTunes. Just be aware, yet again Google has half heartedly implemented a standard and for whatever daft reason it doesn't recognise compilation albums using the correct MP3 metadata tags so those albums are really mixed up on the device.
Just don't expect the level of integration like on iOS/OSX/iTunes where if you were watching a movie on say your AppleTV and paused it and then continue on your phone it would be exactly there where you left. Android is rather dumb that way.
But otherwise it is an ok phone.
For the radio flash etc had to open Windows but my Windows 7 image in VMWare did it all perfectly fine. For the rest once you install the sdk in OSX you can do anything via the tools in there.
btw, is there a way to unlock the phone using a Mac, or I have to do it thru windows?
thanks
Ok after running WinMo phones since their inception I have moved to Android
First thing I want to Do with my new S2 is sync with outlook...contacts, notes, tasks etc
What can I use to get all the data accross not just say contacts
Can I use Kies ?
Do a Google for CompanionLink
Thanks but $50 or $130 to sync to outlook seems insane
The latest & greatest and I cant just plug it in & sync
May as well send it back and keep my HD2
Use Samsung Kies. Its free to download from Samsung website.
i came from winmo and found it a real struggle to sync with outlook. you have to get used to everyone ignoring your question and telling you just to sync with google.
try kies - if that doesn't work, look for myphoneexplorer. it's also free, works flawlessly and is the closest thing i can find to activesync ...
I just found this page http://www.syncdroid.net/
Incredible... I have to [email protected]#k around with 40 pieces of software for a solution
The best phone cant even talk to one of the most widely used pieces of software
My very first windows phone at least did contacts flawlessly..I remember purchasing some software to sync notes...BUT that was 8 years ago!!
I've never had any Apple products because I dont like being told which way to do things and now Google seems no better
What a let down
You probably won't like this but there's a solution. For about $10 a month you can use an Exchange hosting service. In addition to all the syncs you're looking for you get true push e-mail and don't have to use any of the Google apps. It's elegant but not free.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Look for Gsyncit I think its called.
Joe
Hi
just look at "MyPhoneExplorer" this is a grate soft and free.
regds
Henri
parianos said:
Hi
just look at "MyPhoneExplorer" this is a grate soft and free.
regds
Henri
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^ doesnt do notes or tasks according to the table on syncdroid.net
exchange active sync works for me. i get all my email on my android
Sorry man, thanks to all these corporations wanting to own your sould they do their best to keep you from being able to move cross platform. A real pia and yeah, people here don't seem to get that many organizations do not want any of their stuff going across third party data harvesting outfits (i.e. gmail) and they are not going to change any time soon. IMO you either deal with the crap workarounds or move on because things have been stagnant on this front from the start, there has been little movement up till now, and no sign of any real improvement in sight.
You don't need "crap workarounds" with Samsung Android phones - they Outlook sync either via USB or WiFi using Kies just fine. And this sync completely bypasses Google.
Its not a feature of Android in general, but something Samsung adds to their customized Android builds.
Nitrodesk
bocsta said:
Ok after running WinMo phones since their inception I have moved to Android
First thing I want to Do with my new S2 is sync with outlook...contacts, notes, tasks etc
What can I use to get all the data accross not just say contacts
Can I use Kies ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my friend, the best tool to manage outlook, is TouchDown from nitrodesk.
I use Gsyncit. I works very well.
Ingvarr said:
You don't need "crap workarounds" with Samsung Android phones - they Outlook sync either via USB or WiFi using Kies just fine. And this sync completely bypasses Google.
Its not a feature of Android in general, but something Samsung adds to their customized Android builds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat...just moved from winmo and thought it would be easy....no it doesn't sync with kies just fine
Try Kies...it's not as intuitive as the almost invisable active sync
I have got my contacts accross although multiple address books look to have not been kept separate
I also havent check that 100% of whats in outlook has come accross as there are multiple fields
Pros coming across from WinMo:
- smooth op system
- havent pulled my battery once yet ..just as well as the cover is made of paper
Negs
- all that battery sucking stuff functions better, is easier to turn on and leave on so the juice dissapears just like before
parianos said:
Hi
just look at "MyPhoneExplorer" this is a grate soft and free.
regds
Henri
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Henri
I was ready to throw my new phone against the wall till I found this.
Sam
Install Google calender sync on your PC, that will sync Outlook to your Gmail account.
Then set your phones calender to sync to that same Gmail account and all will be handled automatically for you.
For free, may I add.
"Local" sync with active sync doesnt require any "sharing" with microsoft in the cloud which is why people dont want to share with google in the cloud
why should you have to get a Gmail account just cos you have a Android phone?