I'm sure that I'm not alone with wanting to sync my desktop/laptop bookmarks with el Xoomio. The 'problem' is that I use Firefox on the PC, and the native Android browser on the Xoom. I've tried Firefox for Android but it sucks compared to the Android browser... so, what do you guys use to synchronize your bookmarks across devices and platforms?
bobblack said:
I'm sure that I'm not alone with wanting to sync my desktop/laptop bookmarks with el Xoomio. The 'problem' is that I use Firefox on the PC, and the native Android browser on the Xoom. I've tried Firefox for Android but it sucks compared to the Android browser... so, what do you guys use to synchronize your bookmarks across devices and platforms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
load up Chrome and import your bookmarks and then you can use a host of bookmark managers to sync with Xoom..... Its not like chrome is a terrible browser its my everyday. But instead of driving yourself crazy this is an easy fix, plus there are import bookmark apps all over the market https://market.android.com/search?q=bookmarks&so=1&c=apps
Yeah I have chrome on the pc as well - I kinda have to as a developer. But it doesn't live up to firefox. On android it's the other way around.
I'm also not looking to import, but to sync. There are quite a few syncing tools out there, hence my question about which way you use (if any). I am aware of the existence of the market.
Sorry if my question was not clear.
oomskaap said:
I've spent a long time trying to figure out the best way to do this and none of those market apps do it, it's all third party crap.
Finally i found the best combination, so here's my setup.
I keep my work PC and my home PC synced up via Xmarks (free on desktops, not on mobiles)
Then, from my home PC, I set up Firefox Sync and add my Xoom as a device.
All my bookmarks, folders are instantly synced and get's updated when needed.
Chrome does not sync or bookmark properly, no matter how many times i bookmark a site, reload my xoom, it wont be there again. It did it once and never again. Also, try to go over to Firefox and get use to the feel etc. Chrome has absolutely no features and is a dead end browser and does not get updated. Firefox has a new version every day and has a lot of plugins.
Also Dolphin browser is pointless since it has no integration with a desktop client.
most third party apps are stupid folder backups. None can provide an Xmarks setup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The main reason for me preferring chrome over firefox on the xoom is the lack of tabs in firefox... I really hope they add that soon, it's kind of a necessity for me. Also, chrome loads pages way faster than firefox ( At least for now). I really hope that will get fixed soon
Thanks for the xmarks tip, checking that out now!
Related
I found this info here (in German) and thought I would pass it on, since I haven't found anything about it in this forum.
1) Export your FF or IE bookmarks to your PC (bookmarks.html)
2) Install Opera 9.xx on your PC
3) import the bookmarks.html file from step 1
4) make any changes you want in Opera, then close Opera
5) Go to C:\Documents and Settings\"USER NAME"\Application Data\Opera\Opera\profile
and find a file called Opera6.adr
6) Copy this file to your Touch HD into the following directory:
My Device\Windows\Opera9
It will replace the Opera6 file that is currently on your Touch HD, and you should now have those bookmarks in OperaMobile.
A little deja vue (a few pages back mind),
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=449130&highlight=bookmarks
Search is your friend
gadgetuk437 said:
A little deja vue (a few pages back mind),
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=449130&highlight=bookmarks
Search is your friend
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhh - search IS my friend - and this time my friend let me down!
I had searched and found nothing. I'll have to have a word with my "friend".
Thanks for the link. I checked it, but there it said it doesn't work.
Also, I noticed that Windows Mobile Device Center, has an option to sync favorites with the phone. Anyone know if that will do it? Or do I first have to import Firefox bookmarks into IE?
Chris Cross said:
Thanks for the link. I checked it, but there it said it doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it worked for me!
Also, I noticed that Windows Mobile Device Center, has an option to sync favorites with the phone. Anyone know if that will do it? Or do I first have to import Firefox bookmarks into IE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Device centre will only sync your desktop IE with your pocket IE (NOT Opera Mobile... rather annoyingly).
I might be wrong on that tho... I have given up on Opera now in favour of PIE/PIE+, largely due to it's better rendering of forums like this (got fed up with fingerscrolling around to find page buttons and finger flick RSI for long pages.
Just as an aside, in Vista, the Opera6.adr file can be found at:
Code:
C:\Users\*name*\AppData\Roaming\Opera\Opera\Profile
Here's a method which works (and it's free):
1. go to www.xmarks.com, create an account and download their plugin for your browser. Xmarks supports IE, Firefox and Safari. I use this to sync all my bookmarks between my work and home pc and it works flawlessly. You can create profiles to sync only certain bookmarks between different pc's eg. you may not want your work stuff on your home pc etc.
2. On your mobile enter "mobile.xmarks.com", log in to your account and, bingo, you can access all your bookmarks. I just did this a few minutes ago and it was a doddle to set up.
Whilst you don't have your bookmarks living in your bookmarks folder on your phone you at least have easy access to them via xmarks - and they're always in sync. And you don't have to enter the data twice!
First Not sure if this goes here or in Apps since it has to do with the browser. Well I'm running chrome on destop any way of sync'ing those bookmarks to the "chrome browser" on the G1? I know with Opera mini you can any way on Chrome? Thanks
possibly...
sqlite3 /data/data/com.android.browser/databases/browser.db "SELECT * FROM bookmarks;"
http://mgmblog.com/2009/02/06/export-an-android-sqlite-db-to-an-xml-file-on-the-sd-card/
then from chrome, import the newly created xml file
this method will require a good bit of work on your part
I'm hoping in the next revision, the android browser will sync up with your google bookmarks. http://www.google.com/bookmarks
FANdroid said:
I'm hoping in the next revision, the android browser will sync up with your google bookmarks. http://www.google.com/bookmarks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope because I really don't want to have to write a whole book just for my bookmarks...
I just saw a program in Market that will sync things up fro any browser, via CSV. Can't recall the name though - give it a search.
-bZj
down8 said:
I just saw a program in Market that will sync things up fro any browser, via CSV. Can't recall the name though - give it a search.
-bZj
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh my god your a life save with that... mybookmarks... thank you!!!
I have lately been playing around with my SGS2, trying to setup a nice sync between my Home PC, Laptop & Phone with the use of some battery-hogging sync apps. I said f* it to trying to keep my battery going for as long as possible - this phone is a smart-phone and I sure am going to use it as such. With the programs (+ normal daily usage) I will list below my SGS2 will easily run for 24+ hours without a charge and that's all you really need, charging it every night is not that much of a hassle.
Here are some of the programs I have used to get the job done. If you know any better solutions or other programs you use, please do share!
Firefox Sync (built-in to the browser)
For keeping all my bookmarks, sessions & browser history stored online for easy access. Everything is still synced locally so no need to worry in case you can not connect to the Mozilla servers. And I must say I like having the browser history with me on the SGS2 it saves tons of time when visiting certain familiar sites that you don’t have bookmarked! Firefox Beta on the SGS2 works well enough with the exception of no flash support.
Alternatives: Xmarks & Opera has a similar solution as “Firefox Sync”
Lastpass (Browser extension)
For keeping all your passwords saved online “securly” and then automatically logging you into your favorite sites. It can also save user registration info to make it easier/faster to register on new sites. If you are using Firefox own built in way of doing this - then stop it right now! The way Firefox does this is not secure enough and can quite easily be cracked with some basic knowledge. Lastpass is a lot more secure in the way it stores your passwords.
Read It Later (Browser extension & App on android)
A way to keep “temporary” bookmarks synced. Easily put it’s a secondary place to keep bookmarks that can easily be added and just as easily be removed (1click). Perfect for saving a bookmark in a long forum thread or other small items that you want to read later and remove after that.
Evernote
A way to keep all your notes synced & organized. There is many other ways to do this but Evernote does a good job. I personally use it to up-keep a ToDo List, save important notes & having a own sections for Android, PC, Work, School, Shopping etc. The interface makes it better then having a .txt in Dropbox and the program really starts to shine when you have it with you on multiply devices and always have access to all your notes quickly and easily
Dropbox / SugarSync
For saving files online and getting them synced locally on all your PCs. A good way for backing up your files as well! These programs should be familiar to most people by now. I personally use Dropbox it seems a bit more stable and the download speeds are faster. But SugarSync gives more free space (5GB) and the android app has more functions. I would like to use SugarSync but I have read about people having so much problem with it so I have stuck with the Basic & Stable Dropbox. These services are the easiest way to move files between your Computer and Android - perfect for getting your photos moved from the phone to the PC! I also recommend putting some portable apps in the Dropbox folder, quite handy to have. Check portableapps.com/apps for some free software that have been made portable.
Also take a look at “15 Hacks Every Dropbox User Should Know” maximumpc.com/article/features/15_things_you_have_know_about_dropbox?page=0,0
Thunderbird & Google Calender
How To: Integrate Google Calendar Into Thunderbird
makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-integrate-google-calendar-into-thunderbird/
Thunderbird for keeping all my e-mail accounts in one place + Google Calendar setup into it. If you add something to the calender on the phone it gets updated in Thunderbird and vice versa. It feels more natural to use the calender in Thunderbird then doing it from the Google Calender homepage. And I really enjoy reading all my e-mails in one place!
Google Reader
Keep your RSS feeds in one place and “synced”. A really awesome way of making sure you don't have to read new items multiple times. I have really been enjoying the time saved after taking this in use. Going from Home PC-to-Latop-to-Phone and always being able to check if there is any new news-items is really handy and time saving. The android app is also quite clean and a simple icon on your homescreen keeps you up-to-date on new items.
Alternatives: NewsRob
Google Docs
An easy way to be able to work with documents from anywhere. Also nice not worrying about having Office installed everywhere. The collaboration and share functions are also good features.
Alternatives: Portable Open Office & documents in Dropbox
Spotify
Music, music, music. This will cost you some money but in my opinion this is money well spent. For 9,99€ per month you get access to all the music you need on all your devices and you can even save them locally with the payed subscription. After I started using spotify ~2years ago I have not looked back and I have added almost 2000 tracks to my playlist soon. To be able to have that library with me on the phone is priceless. The tracks that can not be found on spotify can be added manually and then synced over WI-FI to the phone easily + you are able to have offline music saved on the phone so you dont have to worry if you are in a place with bad 3G/4G coverage!
uTorrent 3.0 & uTorrent Remote
Not a sync app really, but a way to keep track of your torrents remotely. You can also add torrents to your homepc remotely, so when you get home everything is there ready and waiting for you. And with the android app you can download stuff to the phone from the uTorrent at home!
TeamViewer
Free commercial remote-desktop. Very light, very easy to setup and very easy to use. And the android app works really well, so you got access to your computers from everywhere. In my case this is a last way out, if I need to drop something into Dropbox or do something on my computers it’s nice to have this setup and ready to use. Just in case something pops up!
________
Thats about it. I also use a sBNC to stay connected to IRC from multiple device at the same time, but that does not really belong in this thread. I hope you found something useful & if you got any better alternatives or other programs that you use - then please do share!
Excellent post! bound to help new and old users alike, well done!
Cheers
Missing Google Music Beta.
Admitted it is a invite only beta atm but for people seeking just music syncing it works perfectly.
Music Beta sure looks nice, looking forward to try it. Too bad invites is currently only available in the United States. Although Spotify is also able to sync your Music locally for offline play on the phone (but it's not free)
Thank you for this good summary of useful apps.
I personally only use Dropbox and Google docs.
Gdocs is able to store all kind of file, I use it to share .zip, .tgz or any other souce files (i find it easier to share files than dropbox).
Useful list, thanks!
thanks for the list
If you use Dropbox then you'd like Dropsync. It's more like the real desktop sync. I don't know why Dropbox doesn't make their Android software work like Dropsync.
Thanks for Dropsync, will definitely check it out! Can also name DropSnap an App that automatically uploads pictures to Dropbox after they are taken. In the SugarSync andoird app both these features are present. I just don't feel comfortable using SugarSync. The latest version of my school/work file is more important any day of the week!
Midair said:
Music Beta sure looks nice, looking forward to try it. Too bad invites is currently only available in the United States. Although Spotify is also able to sync your Music locally for offline play on the phone (but it's not free)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an account and I don't live in the Us. The magic weird is proxy. For me it's just the ability to have an online backup of my music library. It's free and it works, that's what does it for me.
For people looking for automatic picture uploading, the google+ app is able to automatically upload your pics to picasa.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
One thing is for sure, all the services that google provides are incredible. Just google alone will make your phone a sync-fest! Google Docs, Reader, Contacts, Gmail & Calendar you can get most your stuff done with these apps.
Current situation:
Firefox or Chrome (Windows version) users who are used to the convenience of having their bookmarks automatically synced across different PC's (with the help of the native sync function or Xmarks) usually feel a deep sense of loss when they have to browse the Net using their Android device which is void of their PC bookmarks.
A search in Google Play finds that there are quite a number of apps that attempt to import bookmarks from FF or Chrome to an Android device, but they are either handicapped in a major way (e.g. NO import of bookmark folders!) or they are NOT free (e.g. Xmarks Premium). But actually, there is a simple and FREE way of doing so
Solution:
On ur PC, open ur Firefox or Chrome, go to:
1) manage bookmarks/bookmark manager, then
2) export bookmarks as html, then
3) save the <bookmarks.html> file, then
4) Have Opera browser (for Windows) installed in ur PC, then
5) go to "manage bookmarks" in Opera (Windows), then
6) import Firefox/Chrome bookmarks (choose the <bookmarks.html> file that u just created), then
7) Activate "Opera link" at Opera (Windows), then
8) Ur Firefox/Chrome bookmarks (with folders) are now in the cloud hosted by the server of Opera, then
9) Install either Opera Mobile or Opera Mini in ur Android device, then
10) Activate "Opera link" in Opera Mobile/Mini (choose "I have an account" and log in), then
11) After the automatic synchronization... TADA! All ur Firefox/Chrome bookmarks --- neatly organized in their respective folders --- are now in ur Android device!
Limitations:
Automatic syncing of bookmarks between FF/Chrome on ur PC and Opera Mobile/Mini in ur Android is not possible with the above method.
My solution to this limitation is to manually export those FF/Chrome bookmarks to Opera (Windows) (after deleting all bookmarks in Opera (Windows)) from time to time and let Opera (Windows) sync with Opera Mobile/Mini automatically. Since I dun add/delete bookmarks that frequently, the trouble incurred is not a big one.
Hope it helps
Another limitation is that you have to use Opera though.
I just use Chromemarks to sync the bookmarks to the phone. To access my bookmarks, I open Chromemarks first, and hit whichever bookmark to fire up my default browser (which is Dolphin for me).
On the ICS roms bookmarks can be synced easily in chrome bèta or native Internet app.
Sent from my Galaxy Note with Tapatalk bèta 4
oohyeah said:
Another limitation is that you have to use Opera though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's very true
oohyeah said:
I just use Chromemarks to sync the bookmarks to the phone. To access my bookmarks, I open Chromemarks first, and hit whichever bookmark to fire up my default browser (which is Dolphin for me).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean with Chromemarks, u have to export ur bookmarks ONE by ONE?
How about folders?
Mafiatounes said:
On the ICS roms bookmarks can be synced easily in chrome bèta or native Internet app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx for info
When u says bookmarks can be synced easily in native browser, do u mean even Firefox/Chrome bookmarks can be exported to the native browser in ICS roms??
Good evening all.
I have a problem which is doing my head in and would be extremely grateful for your advice.
I have made different folders for my bookmarks and like to save them in specific folders. I can't, however, find a way of doing that when I save one - each time the bookmark is saved in the root folder. I have tried to move the bookmarks later after saving and I can't even do that. In frustration I actually logged in to my mobile account on my desktop and sorted out the bookmarks that way (I have 2 accounts - one for laptop and the other for my mobile/tablet) but surely there must be an easier way!
What browser?
You can move to a different folder in the stock browser by long pressing a bookmark and edit.
Our you on about something else?
Assuming you are talking about Internet bookmarks.
That is why I like Firefox for my web browser. I can use the Firefox sync to keep all my bookmarks synced between my devices and keep them organized in the folders I choose.
Thanks Irish Sid and Donec.
I am definitely talking about the stock browser. I have tried to edit the bookmarks but I just don't get any options of moving them to another folder. It will allow me to click on the 'location' link but when I go there, the only folder I see is the 'Home' folder.
I am very confused!!