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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!
i'm pretty fed up of outlook and how it screws with my contacts *i recently updated, and it removed all the titles from the names which is VERY annoying.* not to mention when i add contacts to my phone, it does NOT add them to outlook (maybe i'm just stupid but when i tried to set it to phone, it DELETED all my contacts sans a few) are there any alternative programs that are a bit easier and funner to use?
thanks in advance.
in one word: no.
Outlook is the easiest way AND the most perfected.
There are a few other possibilities to avoid outlook but in my opinion a pda without outlook is useless.
If you encountered problem it might be
-correct active sync version ?
corresponding to that : correct outlook version ?
-correct settings in active sync ?
If you fail to syncronize with ac....dont even try other solutions.
i'm using activesync 4.5 and the outlook version 2002, i copy contacts and settings from outlook just fine, with the exception of it screwing with the titles and names a bit, it's the other way around that's giving me a headache.
what do you recommend the optimal settings be so that if something is new on my computer, it transfers to my phone, and if something is new on my phone, it transfers to teh computer
(also anyway to stop it from seperating the names and removing titles?)
thanks in advance.
seems to be a settings problem
So i only have a german verison of ac i don't know the english name for the settings.
But you have to tell ac to sync in both ways and give the mobile thing the priority.
Then your problem should be solved.
did that, and once more it deleted all the contacts on my phone except for like 3-4 .... either this install is screwy or something is going wrong, or i'm just an idiot.
i refuse to sync with outlook!
i used to, and i ended up with half a dozen duplicate contact and calendar entries for each one!!! i tried settings, etc, finally said to hell with it and set the phone to not sync with outlook. i feel your pain.
Good, now i don't feel like an idiot
I had similar frustration. I eventually set up my 8125 to its own email address, and turned off the sync-ing of contacts. I have two separate contact lists now, but I'm not losing contacts from my phone all the time, either.
I do not have problems with duplicated events, but I publish my Outlook calendar to the phone, not the other way around.
I never schedule from my 8125. I always tell people to send it to my email, so I can control it from my PC. I only use the handheld on meeting-heavy days, and then I'm only checking email, and not accepting meetings.
Using: WM5, ActiveSync 4.5, Outlook 2003 on Desktop
Well, there is an alternative. I run linux so AS isn't even an option for me. I have been using FinchSync since I got the phone and it has worked great. I can even sync anywhere I have a network connection without being at home.
FinchSync uses an http connection to sync contacts with Mozilla's Thunderbird email and address client as well as your datebook with Mozilla's Sunbird calendar. So far it has worked great. One hint though, take the time to read the install and configuration instructions on their website!
Hope this helps!
PhilD
I absolutely hate Activesync. I update my phone contacts and appointments via my Tilt, and then hook it up to my computer only to find that Activesync is deleting them on my phone and restoring the older files on my two PC's. I think, "oh, well I must have the sync settings set improperly," so I check them on my PC and my Tilt... it turns out that it only goes one way: from the PC to the mobile device. (Please correct me if I'm missing something.) You can just disable the sync settings, but then what's the point of having the program installed?
Personally, I have few complaints about Outlook.
I haven't tried it yet, but I'm going to be giving PDASync a try. They seem to advertise all of the features I'm looking for, although it does carry a hefty price tag of $50.
http://www.laplink.com/pdasync/
I'm still not 100% sold on PDASync. It seems to lack the ability to sync internet browser favorites/bookmarks and custom file folders. The quest continues.
On a slightly brighter note, this seems like quite a useful list of syncing software.
http://pocketpccentral.net/software/sync.htm
i must use lapsync because i don't want all 1500 outlook contacts into my phone, so i filter them by category and only sync a certain category.
i dont sync bookmarks, but i know you can use AS to sync ONLY bookmarks. to sync custom files and folders, try mobsync - its free.
I Tried Laplink today, This needs ActiveSync to function properlyu (did not see my device attached). I am lucky I had trial software instead of paying $ 50
Hello Everyone!
I am posting this from my CDMA Shift while eating @ Subway, here in Charleston, SC.
Since we don't have access to the SD card on the SnapVue side, how do you back up your contacts, calendar and such so that in the event of a hard reset you won't lose everything? I rely heavily on my contacts, etc.
Some have said the best way to go would be to sign up for one of them services that offers MS Exchange so that everything is backed up on their servers. I am sort of leery about doing that. What is everyone here doing to back up their stuff on SnapVue?
Thanks for reading my post!
-HAROLD
ALLO, ALLO! G'day, Mate,
How is life in Sydney? I have some family out there (and in Perth).
I read your other post, which states to use the search function under keyword "Liberate". I am going to do this right now. But just so I am clear, by liberating the Shift, you'll be able to sync it over to the Shift via the Vista OS?
Is it best to sync it to another computer (say my work desktop) or the Shift? If anything, I am sure you can create two partnerships.
Thanks,
-Harold
How did you know I'm from sydney? I used the phillipines as my default location. Anyways currently there is no way to synchronize winmo with other devices because the synchronization is done internally. They are still finding ways to synchronize via usb. You have another option you can copy your outlook database then paste it in the outlook folder in another computer.
Where abouts is your family?lol...
LMAO I didnt see the location tab at the corner...hahaha
Hi guys! im having trouble synchronizing my htc uni to my htc shift via bluetooth. What puzzling me is that, it detects the device in fact, i can even transfer files from my uni to the shift. Did some tweaking in shift's vista but to no avail. Appreciate any ideas from you brothers. Thanks!
idownload mo yung mga driver para sa Windows Mobile Device Center and Sync Center para makapag synchronize ka.
Hi,
First I hope it’s alright to post this here.
I have been a windows mobile user for years, presently Verizon I760; I really would like to get the Incredible. I have two things that concern me. Any Information or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
1. Will I be able to get outlook and the phone to automatically sync contacts, and calendar (both ways) when I connect it with a usb cable?
2. Will I be able to voice dial with a Bluetooth headset?
I am a small business and normally sync to my work computer and my home laptop. I have no idea what exchange is or if that is an option for me.
Thank you advance for your help.
I am very much in the same boat as you as a long time Windows Mobile user (presently with the XV6900). There are several ways to do what you are asking but as of yet, in my opinion, none are great.
One is CompanionLink (companionlink.com/androidusb/ol-android-usb.html). While it does use a USB cable, it uses its own custom apps for calendar, contacts, and everything else. It is unclear to me at this point how big of an issue that is. For example, if you are trying to make a phone call and all the contacts were imported into this custom program, will it find them?
The next is Missing Sync (markspace.com/products/android/missing-sync-android.html). It does what we both want, importing the data right where it is supposed to go, but they aren't quite there yet. I have been watching this software for months and slowly they add features. For example they just recently added the ability to sync notes. They still don't let you sync Calendar as of yet.
Lastly the backup plan for me at the moment is using Google's own sync software so you will sync your calendar and contacts with Google's website automatically and your phone will get the info from Google. I am not a big fan of this as I don't particularly want my info online and I would rather it go straight to the phone if I happen to be going somewhere with no internet access. Like I couldn't sync my phone if I was abroad.
So, I am waiting for Missing Sync to get done and until then am planning on using Google's service.
As for Bluetooth dialing, I imagine so but I am not sure.
There is also HTC Sync
Deejx! You are my hero. I feel so happily dumb. The description on the HTC website says:
HTC Sync™ lets you synchronize Outlook and Windows Address Book (Outlook Express), contacts and calendar events on your PC with your phone. It also lets you install third-party Android applications on the phone, and the Mobile Network sharing function as well.
PERFECT! Thank you. Wow much better.
HTC Sync seems to be able to Sync Via the USB cable
How ever i ran into a program that syncs stright into Gmail itself.
You can find this and more on my blog http://techadminspot.blogspot.com/2010/04/getting-ready-for-htc-incredible.html
The software that syncs outlook with gmail is called CompanionLink http://www.companionlink.com/
Also Dropbox is working on a Android App to sync files.
No Bluetooth Voice Dial on Android
As far as voice dialing from your bluetooth, Android doesn't support that yet. There are several threads on Googles forum about this including this one: http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=1412
Hopefully they'll get it together soon.
tacticalmedicokc said:
As far as voice dialing from your bluetooth, Android doesn't support that yet. There are several threads on Googles forum about this including this one: http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=1412
Hopefully they'll get it together soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol not likely, it's been open since 2008
HTC sync won't work with Outlook 2010 64 .as of yet. You have to transfer your contacts and Calendar stuff to your gmail account. One way is to download a transfer program via 'trial', then transfer from gmail to phone using HTC sync. Can only verify for Win7 64 and Office 2010 64.
A while ago I had Outlook2003 on my laptop and had the phone syncing quite happily with that.
I've had to do a fresh OS install on the laptop and it doesn't currently have Outlook on it.
I do have it installed on one of my desktop PCs though, and I want the phone to sync with that installation of Outlook, but I get an error saying that it's not the profile that the sync was created with or something and it won't sync, so I can't get the contacts/appointments off my phone into Outlook.
I suspect I could clear the profile stored in the phone somehow (would have to be without deleting contacts or I'd be stuffed then), but then if I did that it means it would sync with the desktop pc but not the laptop (once I reinstall Outlook on it).
Lots of waffle, but basically as I say, I want to be able to sync the phone with two installations of Outlook2003, so if anyone knows an easy (or even not so easy) way of doing that I'd be grateful for details.
Thanks!
I synch my phone with Outlook on my Desktop (calendar sync) and my Laptop (contacts sync) with no problems.
I understand you can only have 2 pc profiles set up with the phone as well as Exchange [which is used for Imap with my Gmail account].
I didnt encounter any issues - but perhaps that was because desktop was XP and laptop Win7 so used different versions of the synch software?
Easiest way might be to delete the relationships that you already have on your phone and start again?
Hmmm, laptop is vista and desktop is xp. I believe it's activesync rather than Outlook that takes exception to this, if that makes sense.
I think from what you've said though (ie that works fine for you) that I should try what you said. I've got my contacts stored on MS Myphone service (in theory) so if it all goes wrong that should cover me.
Silly question probably, but can I delete the sync profiles directly on the phone while I'm at work (without the means to plug it in) or does it have to be connected to a PC/activesync to do that?
Cret said:
Silly question probably, but can I delete the sync profiles directly on the phone while I'm at work (without the means to plug it in) or does it have to be connected to a PC/activesync to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
go to activesynch' settings; click on "windows pc" and delete.
I have just deleted one (by accident) checking this for you
How that's for dedication to the cause?