Slashdot Mirror
Mobile Phones that Sync w/ PIM Software?
Burianski11 asks: "After searching for a phone that syncs with my PIM for a few months now, I'm stumped. I've seen phones that sync with Exchange Server and others whose web-based phone book will sync with a web-based PIM (Sprint has this). Are there any phones out there that will sync easily with PIM software, be it Outlook, Evolution, or something else?"
Sure, iSync, part of recent versions of OS X, syncs my Nokia 3650 with iCal and Apple's Address Book via Bluetooth.
This sig intentionally left justified.
I have a Treo 270, it runs Palm OS. They pretty well have most of the syncing problem taken care of. I don't know what more you could ask, the thing is basically perfect (for those of us who like fliphones, and don't mind having a crappy browser). The builtin directory dials quickly, and it works really well for instant messaging with the thumboard being suprisingly usable for quite a bit of typing. Overall, I'd give it a 9/10, just because the web browser ain't too hot.
You may try Treo 600, it can sync with Outlook
t reo600_overview.jhtml
http://www.handspring.com/products/communicators/
You have to take the Aqua pill, but iSync works well with quite a few phones.
One of many reason I am happy that I did make the switch to OS X. The best of the Unix world mixed with some awesome productivity apps from Apple.
Of course, the solution may be pricy if tempted by their high end equipment. But *pats his Powerbook*, it's oh so worth it.
SonyEricsson P800 and P900 can also sync with MS Outlook/Lotus Notes/Lotus Organizer, according to SonyEricsson's website.
The 3650 does, anyway ..
The PC Suite provides "Syncronize", and SyncML "enables you to synchronize your calendar or contacts using a data connection to a remote server"
I would like to add and expand to the question because I have exactly the same problem. Everyone always repeats the isync mantra.
Howeever, the reality is that I (and I suspect the poster) do not have a Mac. So is there an equivalent for Windows? In particular a program that speaks syncml, that runs on windows, over bluetooth and syncs with Mozilla's address book?
On Linux?
The dangers of excessive individualism are nothing compared to the oppressiveness of excessive collectivism
Try the gnokii project for software which can talk to the cell phone.
Then you just need to write some short script to convert your PIM software database to a form gnokii likes. Shouldn't be too hard. And probably someone has already done it.
Sony Ericsson T68i along with Multi Sync will sync with Ximian Evolution and others.
My Kyocera runs PalmOS ad syncs with KDE very nicely
The geek shall inherit the earth
These creatures run a modified Windows Mobile, and have native Pocket Outlook, Contacts, Calendar, Tasks etc installed. These will only sync to MSOutlook, but the original poster did specify Outlook as a possible option.
In the UK we have the XDA/II
More info on Smartphones at Microsoft Pocket PC Phone Edition
I am also in the same situation. [sort of :-)]
I have been looking for, but cant find the right cell phone that
1- Does NOT have a camera.
I access several federal buildings and others for work that do NOT allow cameras or camera phones.
2- Bluetooth enabled
Im in a city that is about to have MUCH stricter enforcement of cell phone/driving. They are already pulling ppl for having screens visible to the driver.
3- The ability to sync the phonebook with multiple platforms (Work: Outlook, Home: Evolution); preferably via bluetooth.
4- Supports multiple NAMs
(multiple phone numbers or even providers associated with the phone).. Those are already avail in some locations. Allows me to carry ONE phone for both personal and buisness use.
--
Time is on my side
Since you mentioned Sprint I assume you are in the USA. You can also get BitPim which works with LG CDMA phones (Verizon) and Sanyo CDMA phones (Sprint) as well as the embedded filesystems of other CDMA phones. It is available for Windows, Linux and Mac and is open source (Artistic License).
The version number is currently 0.7 for the "test" version which about accurately reflects its functionality (as with many open source projects, various things are incomplete :-)
It is also often in the top 100 projects on SourceForge and hence is somewhat lively.
The software that came with my N-Gage claims to sync with Outlook and Lotus Notes. Don't use either, so I don't know how good it is, but I would guess you'd get the typical range of notes, contacts and appointments.
Why do I feel that this has been asked earlier. Everytime either its which mobile/pda to buy or which can work with linux or which can sync data?
Why such posts are allowed again and again?
I've recently stumbled across MultiSync. It synchronizes information between Evolution, PIM, phone, Palm, LDAP, etc. Haven't installed it yet, but it sounds very powerful. If your phone supports either IrMC or SyncML-based synchronization, then you're in luck.
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/finder.php Seems to be able to find anything and maybe will stop more posts like this
The 3650 and other Nokia series 60 phones can sync with Outlook using PC Suite, but that's all. That works fine for me, as Outlook is dictated by our IT people at work.
However, at home we have XP and OpenOffice, and no Outlook, so my wife can't synch her 3650 with anything. In fact, in order to put new listings into her phone directory, the best way is for me to load it into my phone at work, then Bluetooth or MMS the item to her phone.
For Linux, the SyncML-based MultiSync, which supports Ximian Evolution, seems to be coming along (I have not tried it). But in general, SyncML is still long on promise and short on reality.
I'm using Multisync with my Siemens S55 (connected via Bluetooth). Via IrMC, it can sync mobile phones via IrDA, Bluetooth or serial cables. Providers for SyncML, Evolution, OPIE (Sharp Zaurus or HP iPAQ running GNU/Linux), WinCE, LDAP, Palm and Backup exist as well.
I have a Nokia 6510 that came with a CD containing the Nokia PC Suite. The Nokia PC Suite has an application called Nokia PC Sync that allows synchronisation between the phone and a wide variety of PIM including MS Outlook and Lotus Notes. The synchronisation can be done over infra-red or a COM port.
Each Nokia phone has its own verson of PC suite.
PC Suite for 6510
The Motorola MPx200 is a phone to consider. Everyone where I work is getting them.
Ok, so it is a Windoze phone. Once you get past that fact, it is actually pretty cool. Small form factor, and syncs with Outlook. You can have all of your Outlook contacts and your calendar stored in the phone. In addition to that it has MP3/WMA player and a SD slot for extra storage.
The problem is the PC Suite is a worthless piece of crap and a sorry excuse for a software package. It is bug-ridden and will often stop working for no apparent reason.
Just check out some of the message boards (like howardforums.com) and you'll see that nearly everyone absolutely hates PC Suite. Just having PC Suite installed requires you to keep about 4 or 5 resident programs running. Their bluetooth connectivity solution is do some sort of crappy 'serial port' emulation over USB. WTF do they do that?!
Plus, the software itself looks as if it was written by a mentally retarded person using visual basic.
I really wish there was an alternative (other than Oxygen).
Check out SnapSync from FutureDial
I've never used their sync'ing software, but I bought the data cable for my phone from them. SnapSync sync's with Outlook, so if Outlook isn't your PIM of choice you'll need something else. They have a long list of phone that their software works with.
Most brands of phone have something. On the MS Windows side, look at TrueSync from Starfish Software, which works with many Motorola phones. Siemens phones have a version of XTNDConnect pc as a free download; high end Nokias had (have?) a PC data suite; there is also a generic version of software from SnapSync (available at CompUSA, among other places). The software appears to run about $30, then you get to spend another $30 for a cable (don't know if the sw supports IRDA or Bluetooth). Pick a phone you are interested in, then google for "brand + pc + synchronize".
Envy my 5 digit Slashdot User ID!
Support is absolutely dismal. It's actually the same way for many of Sprint's phones. For about two years, developers on Sprint's Developer Forums have begged and begged for even a hint of the data sync protocols. The USB cables have a serial converter, and appear as another com port...but SyncML doesn't work, random AT codes don't work, nothing. Finally, FutureDial managed to get support, but all you can do is sync contacts. And these phones have nice calendars, alarms, countdown timers, SMS, notepads, ringers, wallpaper...none of which can be accessed. Sprint JUST came out with a contact syncing program, which is actually FutureDial's program. Other phones have had this for years and years, you can upload applications, ringers, etc. Nokia has been pretty decent about this, realizing that customers might actually want to use their phones now, instead of waiting two years for an basic contact sync application you still have to plunk cash down for.
...
I can't believe this has not been repeated several times already, but get a BlackBerry. With a desktop redirector installed on your home windows machine (dont know if other OSes are supported) you can get always on email, calendering and contacts. And of course they are cell phones too..with a QWERTY keyboard
Bit on a pricey side ~$400.
blackberry.com
I've owned the Kyocera 6035 and now own the 7135. These are palm-based phones, and both sync with evolution as well as any other palm. (Which means, they sync, but you run into occasional wierdness like duplicate records.)
The 6035 is kind of clunky (it's a pretty big phone) but due to its size and simple black and white LCD, the battery life was incredible. I could take it on a business trip for a week and not begin to worry about depleting the battery.
The 7135 is cooler, it's a big (but much smaller than the 6035) flip phone with color backlit LCD. Battery life is pretty awful due to the small battery and backlight. Oh, and the batteries occasionally explode. That said, I love it, works well and is a great geek gadget (you can convert MP3s into ringtones, among other things, which with a star trek sound effects MP3 library allows you to attain maximum geekiness and preserve your virginity forever with zero effort.)
Make sure you purchase a phone that follows the SyncML standard (which is what Apple iSync uses) and you'll be able to get the phone to sync with many popular PIMs (if the PIMs don't support SyncML yet, they probably will soon). I sync my SonyEricsson T616 on a Linux box running Mandrake (Cooker) with Evolution 1.4.5 using Multisync .81 via Bluetooth. Things pretty much work 'out of the box' as far as syncing goes, but it's definately not as smooth a process as when I sync the T616 with my iBook. Additionally, I use Multisync to sync my Sharp Zaurus with Evolution also.
P.S. not tryin to brag, just noting that all this stuff does work 'easily enough'.
Motorola phones sync fine with Outlook via Truesync. Or you can use Truesync Desktop if you don't like outlook.
Then FMA, Floats Mobile Agent, could be something for you. Resides at Sourceforge.
The more you know, the less you need. [Admin added: from me.]
and for the PC world, logitech is your friend (compatiblity matrix)
-
#include "coucou.h"
I have the NEC 525 which currently is available only on AT&T GSM service.
:) a nice added bonus.
The phone comes with i/r and intellisync.
Its also a java phone which has a second CPU for running games
You might want to check out multi-sync:
c tion.html)
http://multisync.sourceforge.net/
MultiSync is a GPL's modular program to synchronize calendars, addressbooks and other PIM data between programs on your computer and other computers, mobile devices, PDAs or cell phones. MultiSync works on any Gnome platform, such as Linux.
Its a universal gateway with plug-ins so that you can go from any individual plug-in to one of the other plug-ins, such as:
Ximian(Novell) Evolution
SyncML (http://www.openmobilealliance.org/syncml/introdu
LDAP
Palm
Windows CE/Pocket PC
Opie
Zaurus
It seems to be actively maintained (unlike 100s of other PDA sync initiatives and apps).
I've been using PC Suite 5 for a while now, and it's been working well. It puts all my contacts from Outlook into my Nokia 6200 over IR. Then again, I only sync the numbers about once a month. I also put about a dozen ringtones and pictures on the phone with PC Suite. It may not be industrial strength, but it works sufficiently well for my purposes.
I bought the IR controller for $10 on eBay, the software was free from Nokia.
Syncs with outlook. Has smart card memory (Ihave 128meg) MP3 player, document reader...most symbian features. Camera, and eamil clients.
Works great with iSync and the bluetooth thing is absolutely cool. Takes really really crappy digital photos too. (To be fair I suspect most cell phones take really crappy photos anyway). That was for cingular in the upstate NY area.
I've heard that some of the Nokias work well too, but around here only AT&T sells them and TDMA AT&T coverage sucks in this area.
Verizon didn't have any bluetooth phones. At least not that I could find, or for less than several hundred bucks.
"But actually trying to use m4 as a general-purpose langage would be deeply perverse" --ESR
I tried uninstalling it and it killed my VB runtimes. It was a major effort getting it out my my tasktray, I can tell you that!
I'm a siemens man though. Siemens also has software which can sync. But I tend not to have a need to sync, when it comes to address books and calendars.
click-clack, front and back. I'm not moving this car otherwise.
Try Vazu Contacts - I work there! Seriously though, the service can push your contacts from Outlook, Outlook Express, Ximian Evolution, Apple Mail, or Mozilla to just about any Nokia or Sony Ericsson phone without installing any software. We are in a free public beta right now so go check it out...
vazu.com
Without sounding rude, how hard did you search?
All Nokia series 40 and above support syncing to and from Outlook (provided your phone has at least IR). You can get the software from the CD or their website.
SonyEricsson P800 and P900 support syncing - free software included.
The newer Samsung phones support syncing - free software included.
Try checking out the manufacturers websites.
Avantslash - View Slashdot cleanly on your mobile phone.
yes. look at any modern GSM handset. they all do it. my nokia from 4 years ago does it. any decent sony ericsson does it. why not make an effort and look?
SE p800, bluetooth dongle for my PC. when i'm within 10 feet of my PC, outlook email/tasks/calendar and contacts all synch automatically. i'm not using any software other than that provided with the phone.
MultiSync is a free modular program to synchronize calendars, addressbooks and other PIM data between programs on your computer and other computers, mobile devices, PDAs or cell phones. MultiSync works on any Gnome platform, such as Linux.
Currently MultiSync has plugins for
More detail about Multisync supported devices
I recently got a Treo 600 and it uses isync (only ical and addressbook) with no problems.