The more it does, the more it doesnt'

[Not_sirius]

Hello,

As you can see I try not to get too serious about anything. I am new to this forum but expect to be spending a lot of time here.

Due to poor AT&T service I am attempting to replace my FUNCTIONAL TREO 650 with a VERIZON:

1)Motorola Droid
2)firmware 2.1 update1
3)Baseband version c_01.3e.03p
4)Kernel version 2.6.29-omap1-g7fa8788 android-build@apa26 #1
5) build ESE81

Gee, I better C&P that info to a file as I fear I'm gonna need it a lot.

I only wanted better coverage, and expected some changes, but most of the things I really NEED either aren't available or I can't figure them out from the limited documentation.

I need:

#1) Hotsync to my PC via USB cable.
I have found most are "under development" such as mylink and missing Sync but neither seems to have the capabilities to move all the components. Contacts,CALENDAR, memos and tasks. (media would be nice but not critical). I REALLY want to do this as a local function only and do not want to have to go to Google to share my information.

#2) Shortcuts for putting in text and more importantly TIMESTAMPING
I need to track work events in the description of calendar, memos and tasks. Shortcuts5 was the simple solution with palm. a period and 2 charactes would do it in ANY application.

#3) A place to put memos
I need to carry documentation and clues about equipment I work on occasionally and can't memorize.

#4) Tasks that aren't tied to a calendar.
Quick access off the front end menus to add to tasks with no due date.

These are such simple things on the 10 year old TREO, but seem lost in the new technology. Am I doomed to carrying 2 boxes, or am I missing the light here?


Thanks for ANY help you can give me.

I WILL say I have found there are real benefits to this phone. The coverage is FAR better on VZ as is the voice transmission of the Droid. The internet is actually usable and there are some "cute" applications.Also it is much lighter and flatter, which may be useful in the near future.

 

[mkeath]

I can't comment on items 2-4, but with item 1, just sync your calendar and contact information with a google account and set that google account up with your phone. Your phone will automatically sync with your google account over the air.

 

[sitlet]

#1: Google sync via the net is the way to go. There are other apps that will sync with other websites, or you could sync with outlook via an exchange server. Using a usb cord is sooo 2003...

#2: Not sure, you can search the market at appbrain.com and see if there is any text shortcuts. If anything, you could add a new word or phrase to the autocorrect. For example, I added an entry so everytime i type gf, it automatically types the whole word girlfriend.

#3: Just get a text editor or Word type program. you can create a folder on any one of the homescreens to keep the data easily accessible.

#4: There are MANY To-Do apps or quick memo apps in the market.

 

[brykins]

#1) Hotsync to my PC via USB cable.
I have found most are "under development" such as mylink and missing Sync but neither seems to have the capabilities to move all the components. Contacts,CALENDAR, memos and tasks. (media would be nice but not critical). I REALLY want to do this as a local function only and do not want to have to go to Google to share my information.

#2) Shortcuts for putting in text and more importantly TIMESTAMPING
I need to track work events in the description of calendar, memos and tasks. Shortcuts5 was the simple solution with palm. a period and 2 charactes would do it in ANY application.

#3) A place to put memos
I need to carry documentation and clues about equipment I work on occasionally and can't memorize.

#4) Tasks that aren't tied to a calendar.
Quick access off the front end menus to add to tasks with no due date.

I miss my old Treo 650. I really do.

1. Syncing to desktop is NOT what Google want you to do and they aren't making it easy. There are ways to sync Outlook to Google online and from there to your phone and it's probably the best way to go. I say that because I used HTC Sync for a while to sync contacts and calendar via USB and found that many third party apps can't access contacts and calendar data unless it is stored as "Google" type and not as local data. I have, for now, given up on Outlook but am finding I am missing a LOT of functionality by just using Google Contacts and Calendar.

2. Not sure about this one - was great on Palm, agreed.

3. I use something called AL Notepad (free in the Market - search for AmbleLink Notepad) as this allows me to create and edit .txt files on my SD card that I can then back up to the PC.

4. I use Astrid for this - syncs with Remember The Milk online.

 

[palm2android]

I've only had my Samsung Moment for a week. But I have synced notes, contacts, calendar and tasks with outlook. I used Deja office and it worked really well. It's a free app, but Companionlink is necessary on your pc. There is 14 day trial, for Companionlink, but after that it's really expensive for a phone ap -- $39.99! Deja Office remains free. i can email contacts between phone and pc, but nothing else.

Deja Office is not that robust, though. For instance, there doesn't seem to be linking between contacts and calendar. I'm thinking of trying Windows 7 phone next. I need good outlook type app badly.

 

[Chroma]

3&4-I use color note. It can be used as a general notepad and checklist, if wanted, place a widget for each note page of checklist on your home screens. (color coding lists is there too, obviously)

 

[Not_sirius]

Thanks for the input. I'm kinda getting the hang of this thing.
#2 became a non issue. I found out I could just talk to this thing.

The documentaion leaves a lot to be desired.

The SYNC is critical for me. USB may be Soooo 2003, but if you think about it......so is SECURITY! (BTW how do I get rid of that native FACEBOOK app?)

I have looked at Companionlink/Dejaoffice, Missing Sync, and Mylink for answers, and each seems double edged.

According to the Dejaoffice timeline thread on their own site, it appears to be in early development. Even on Market many reviews refere to Calendar or Contacts problems. Also the $40 price for companionlink after 2 weeks has the potential for an expensive disappointment.

Missing Sync is ALSO $40 with similar mixed reviews.

I am now looking at Mylink which seems to have some promise. Anyone else use this?

A PDA has become a critical part of my business, and I fear relying on a product that "sorta" works. So I am still carrying my TREO and talking on my DROID.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Mama Luigi]

So what is wrong with the cloud sync provided by Google and Astrid/Remember The Milk? I'd trust Google and RTM's servers over my own hard drive. Of course that means the information requires an internet connection to access, but you always have that with a data plan anyway and I assume your computer is probably always connected as well.

 

[bluenova]

Not to be harsh but you've bought a phone with an O/S which is heavily tied into Google cloud services in the same way the Win Mobile O/S is heavily tied into Microsofts services and is perfect for syncing with MS Outlook.

As I said I don't mean to be harsh I just don't understand why people don't buy a phone based on how they want to use it. One reason I bought an Android based device is because I use a lot of Googles services.

I'm afraid I don't know of any task apps that will sync with Outlook (I use Remember the Milk and am very happy with their service).

I do use my phone for work (which is MS orientated) but it syncs my contacts/calendar/address book with MS Exchange over the air (and works very well). I think that is probably the route you will need to go down if you really need MS connectivity.

 

[takeshi]

+1 If you don't trust Google (and I'm not saying you have to) then I don't know why you'd trust Android.

The sync options that I'm aware of are pretty much all listed in this thread and I'd say that from what I've read no one seems entirely happy with them all.

From a practical standpoint, I'd say the options are: sync with Google, deal with the USB sync issues or get a device designed for USB sync with Outlook. Selecting a device is, after all, all about finding what suits you best. I really like Android but it isn't one-size-fits-all.

 

[mrmojoz]

I REALLY want to do this as a local function only and do not want to have to go to Google to share my information.

Then why buy a phone with an OS built to work by sharing info with Google?

 

[wayrad]

Brykins(edited to add: Sorry, I meant *not_sirius*, my apologies!), I'm in almost the same boat. None of the other OS's did exactly what I wanted in all regards either, and I figured that if Android was worth its salt and not just a fad for hardcore Googlephiles, it would be possible to find workarounds so that Google wouldn't be snooping through data I'd like to keep confidential. Which in my case is contacts and passwords/account info; I don't really mind cloud syncing the calendar.

Here's what I'm doing so far:
Contacts - export to SD Card and HTC Sync (I see you have a Moto Droid so the latter isn't an option for you )
Password/accounts/ misc confidential notes: B-Folders (128-bit encryption, has card backup and desktop wifi sync, works great, developer has plans to expand to full PIM suite)
Calendar - Google sync (my calendar entries are few and cryptic; I manage my life with to-do lists). Will probably use Pimlical if it turns out to be good.
Tasks - Remember the Milk (non-Google cloud sync, allows multiple lists for different projects, allows recurring tasks)

Still working on it, but I no longer need to carry my Zodiac every day! We Palm geeks are a bit spoiled by the simplicity and security of Hotsync, but there does seem to be life after Palm...

 

[sail4fun201]

Sounds like you might be more business oriented. If you can't deal with syncing data through Google, you should look into a Blackberry. They have built in shortcuts that don't require an app.

However, Android market has apps that can manage your tasks and memos. Not sure about text shortcuts though.

 

[tinausa]

So I got Samsung Captivate. Beautiful phone even more so thatn iPhone.

Came home and tried to sync with Outlook (industry standard). No luck.

Samsung's Kies app is crude and kludgy and does not sync tasks and notes.

Installed evel version of dejaOffice. After spending over ten hours, it sync'ed with dejaOffice contacts, calendar, tasks and notes but not the phone's. No error. Just sits there. If anyone has a solution to this, I would greatly appreciate it.

I do NOT want to put the info in Google's cloud and allow them to scan my calendar for ad candidates. It would be naive to assume that they are any better than anyone else, if you read the Wall Street Journal story on web privacy.

I have more recently used Blackberry and Windows and Palm before that. And they all consistently synchronized with Outlook. Is that too much to ask for? If it is then the phone is going back to where it came from - the ATT store.

 

[mrmojoz]

I do NOT want to put the info in Google's cloud and allow them to scan my calendar for ad candidates.

Take it back, now. If you are a privacy nut and and don't want Goggle having access to your information then DON'T USE GOOGLE PRODUCTS. Also don't visit any websites and stay off of wireless connections. Don't use credit cards or open any bank accounts. And don't walk around in public because you may get picked up on satellite photos. We'll have you safe those harmless, easily ignored ads in no time.

 

[ari-free]

what about this
Android Sync Software for HTC EVO, Nexus One, Droid, Hero and Other Android Phones

 

[tinausa]

Take it back, now. If you are a privacy nut and and don't want Goggle having access to your information then DON'T USE GOOGLE PRODUCTS. Also don't visit any websites and stay off of wireless connections. Don't use credit cards or open any bank accounts. And don't walk around in public because you may get picked up on satellite photos. We'll have you safe those harmless, easily ignored ads in no time.

Flame is not an answer when you have no constructive solutions. Thanks.

 

[ari-free]

Then why buy a phone with an OS built to work by sharing info with Google?

That should be just a convenience. You shouldn't be locked into doing things Google's way. I mean come on. There are even Android phones coming out with Bing as the default search.

 

[tinausa]

what about this
Android Sync Software for HTC EVO, Nexus One, Droid, Hero and Other Android Phones

Not ready to spend $40 without trying. The reviews in Market are not good.

Thanks for the info though.

 

[ari-free]

hmm that is too bad. I never used it but I remember them going way back to the Palm days.

 

[Chriswaterguy]

Flame is not an answer when you have no constructive solutions. Thanks.

+1

Btw Buying a phone with a Google-supported open source operating system makes sense for people who want open source and/or more freedom to use their phone how they want. Unlike the OP, I'm generally happy with Google, but their request is fair enough.

 

[gruss]

Yeah while I don't share the concern of the op, I do understand it. Not sure there is a solution, is BB 6 an option, I've heard good and bad about it

 

[tinausa]

+1

Btw Buying a phone with a Google-supported open source operating system makes sense for people who want open source and/or more freedom to use their phone how they want. Unlike the OP, I'm generally happy with Google, but their request is fair enough.

I have nothing against Google and generally use most of their apps. But I also believe that Google (or Apple or MSFT or RIM) have to at the end of the day make $$$ for their stockholders. Google's business model is thru ads (among other things) and privacy in that case is a concern. It is unreasonable to expect Google (or anyone else) to be able to stop criminals (Android themes installing malware).

And hence, a desire to be able to sync personal data without using Big G's servers. BTW I do not use Apple's Mobile Me or any other such app either.

 

[Not_sirius]

OK, I've been working on this personal need, but I'm finally back with a trip report.

First, for everyone questioning WHY I got a DROID to begin with:

I LOVED my TREO and never, EVER would have considered changing except AT&T service here is terrible with large dead zones. Verizon coverage is far better, but would not support my device that worked well and was not dependant on Google.

Although I recalled the panic when the RIM servers were briefly taken off line due to a legal issue, I looked at the Crackberry line and nearly got one. My application requirements seemed to match DROID closer. That's the only reason I changed to the DROID. PERIOD. Yeah it IS cute, and has lotsa stuff, but why do they force things on it you will never use? I know! ROOT it and you can break free, but at what risk?

As for "always connected"? Unfortunately, I sometimes work in mountainous rural areas where "the cloud" means something other than the internet.

That being said, Lets get back to the point.

I have gotten COMPANIONLINK to work. However, I will not say it was easy. After over a month exchanging emails with tech support and a custom download from them. my calendar, notes, tasks and contacts have come across, and do seem to work for me.

There remains a few things that would make my life easier, but DEJAOFFICE is still in development. So although it looks workable to me, I still carry the TREO for archival information.

PS. Anyone who thinks GOOGLE doesn't datamine your info, please contact me about waterfront property I sell in South Florida.

 

[Not_sirius]

To be clear, I meant that I can USB sync without using the internet at all.