Help Blackberry to Note 2 - Now Feeling Sorry I made the switch!

[TorontoSamsung]

Is it just me? I was a very happy Blackberry user for many years using Outlook at home and office; the whole family used Outlook in fact and we all were able to send contacts, appointments, notes, texts and so on to one another.

So why in the heck am I having so much trouble figuring out this darned Note II? And why the heck is it such a pain in the arse getting it to sync with my laptop?

I am about a spit away from throwing my Note II in the garbage and getting the new BB next month.

I am surely beginning to believe I have made a huge error in switching.

Anyone else having the same sort of feelings?

Anyone out there having ZERO problems in syncing their Note II to Outlook (that means EVERYTHING... contacts, calendar, notes, the whole shebang)?

Thanks for listening.

 

[NeuDroid]

I've never used a BB but I had an iPhone for many many years. One thing I have learned is that if you buy a new phone running a different OS and are not open to learning it or feel like giving up on it fast, things will never work out. So many people go back to their previous phone or line of phone because they just refuse to be patient with the new OS. Hang in there, the note 2 is a fantastic phone, I'm sure there are answers to your issues.

 

[ScandaLeX]

Is it just me? I was a very happy Blackberry user for many years using Outlook at home and office; the whole family used Outlook in fact and we all were able to send contacts, appointments, notes, texts and so on to one another.

So why in the heck am I having so much trouble figuring out this darned Note II? And why the heck is it such a pain in the arse getting it to sync with my laptop?

I am about a spit away from throwing my Note II in the garbage and getting the new BB next month.

I am surely beginning to believe I have made a huge error in switching.

Anyone else having the same sort of feelings?

Anyone out there having ZERO problems in syncing their Note II to Outlook (that means EVERYTHING... contacts, calendar, notes, the whole shebang)?

Thanks for listening.

And welcome to AF.

Sorry you're allowing it to frustrate you so.
I don't use Outlook so I won't be of any help to you.
Don't throw your phone out just yet- hang in there.
Someone may be able to assist you.

 

[PiscesCloud]

Lots of people sync using Google calendars but personally I don’t trust the cloud. So I use Outlook 2007 for both Contacts and Calendar and sync them to the Note's Contacts and S Planner using MyPhoneExplorer. I enter appointments etc either into Outlook or into S Planner and they sync to each other with no problems. It also does calls, messages, and files though I don’t use those features myself.

MyPhoneExplorer does much more than syncing C&C though and you can check its many features at either Google Play or at http://www.fjsoft.at/en/downloads.php.

If you search both this and the Note 1 forums you’ll see other successful solutions for the same issue....

 

[pool_shark]

I first came to Android after Windows mobile.
I too struggled with the lack of Outlook sync, I only use Outlook for work.

After a while I decided I either had to find a way to deal with change, or stay stuck in the past with an old outdated device and OS.

Instead of trying to sync outlook with my phone, I decided to import my Outlook calendar into my Google calendar and let that sync to my phone.

 

[aileendq]

I first came to Android after Windows mobile.
I too struggled with the lack of Outlook sync, I only use Outlook for work.

After a while I decided I either had to find a way to deal with change, or stay stuck in the past with an old outdated device and OS.

Instead of trying to sync outlook with my phone, I decided to import my Outlook calendar into my Google calendar and let that sync to my phone.

This is the way to go one this one, I think. Sounds much more level-headed than throwing an amazing piece of technology into the trash!

 

[Heifzilla]

I refuse to have my personal calendar in tbe cloud. I just dont feel comfortable with it. I have stuck with Outlook. I just tried MyPhoneExplorer and it worked great. I have not done a second sync yet but everyone raves about it so I hope the second sync goes well and it's smart enough not to double my entries as I sync back and forth from phone to Outlook and back.

Sent from my Note 2

 

[Harplayr]

There have been several threads about syncing android to Outlook and here are two good solutions.

This thread discusses a free method http://androidforums.com/android-ap...id-without-3rd-party-app-exchange-server.html

I peraonally have used a 3rd party application Companionlink for Outlook for the past several years. It is a paid application (and costs more than it used to) but has worked flawlessly for me. Outlook Sync Software - Sync Outlook contacts and calendar -- CompanionLink Software

The lack of native support for Outlook is one of the biggest oversights of Android IMO

 

[dave1812]

I refuse to have my personal calendar in tbe cloud. I just dont feel comfortable with it. I have stuck with Outlook. I just tried MyPhoneExplorer and it worked great. I have not done a second sync yet but everyone raves about it so I hope the second sync goes well and it's smart enough not to double my entries as I sync back and forth from phone to Outlook and back.

Sent from my Note 2

I don't feel comfortable if I don't have my calendar in the cloud.

I use to use a Handspring Visor which I synced to a calendar kept on my PC. that sorta worked semi-ok for a couple of years and then disaster hit--the file became corrupted and that wiped out years of data (I didn't have a current backup). I looked for an alternative and didn't find one that I felt was useful until I decided to give Google Calendar a shot. I haven't looked back. I periodically save the calendar file to one of my computers, and also make a duplicate calendar, but despite taking those precautions, Google hasn't let me down in almost four years. You wouldn't catch me dropping Google calendar for any other option. It just "works". It syncs in moments and that lets me deal with appointments from my PC, tablet, or phones (and even a seldom-used Touch).

My opinion on using the cloud is to rely on those particular services that have a great track record for robustness. Google Calendar is reliable. My Blackberry service was UNRELIABLE. There were many days in the year+ that I owned a Storm 2 that the service would be down. My first android was a clunker--the Bionic, but it was breath of fresh air after the Storm 2.

 

[dogsnfish]

I sympathize with the OP, although the reason I switched from BB to an android phone was because BB kept deleting all of my appointments on the exchange server.

Are you using an exchange server with your old BB and new GN2? I used Touchdown on my previous android phone and it was flawless. I have switched to the native apps on GN2 because I prefer the interface. Perhaps switch to Touchdown?

 

[Harplayr]

I don't feel comfortable if I don't have my calendar in the cloud.

I use to use a Handspring Visor which I synced to a calendar kept on my PC. that sorta worked semi-ok for a couple of years and then disaster hit--the file became corrupted and that wiped out years of data (I didn't have a current backup). I looked for an alternative and didn't find one that I felt was useful until I decided to give Google Calendar a shot. I haven't looked back. I periodically save the calendar file to one of my computers, and also make a duplicate calendar, but despite taking those precautions, Google hasn't let me down in almost four years. You wouldn't catch me dropping Google calendar for any other option. It just "works". It syncs in moments and that lets me deal with appointments from my PC, tablet, or phones (and even a seldom-used Touch).

My opinion on using the cloud is to rely on those particular services that have a great track record for robustness. Google Calendar is reliable. My Blackberry service was UNRELIABLE. There were many days in the year+ that I owned a Storm 2 that the service would be down. My first android was a clunker--the Bionic, but it was breath of fresh air after the Storm 2.

I agree.
I don't fear the cloud. If there is a security leak and somebody gains knowledge of when my dog's next vet appointment is...it wouldn't really bother me

Another advantage of syncing with Google is that it's SO easy to install all your contacts and appointments when you switch phones.

 

[Heifzilla]

I don't feel comfortable if I don't have my calendar in the cloud.

I don't like having my personal schedule and contact info out there. Yes, it's convenient and backed up. And it's probably reasonably safe from hacking. But some people keep sensitive info in their contacts/calendar and just don't want it online like that. I did it for a year and never felt comfortable having it out there, and I wish it wasn't forced upon us when we decide to go with Android the way it is. Options are good to have

Sent from my Note 2

 

[Heifzilla]

I agree.
I don't fear the cloud. If there is a security leak and somebody gains knowledge of when my dog's next vet appointment is...it wouldn't really bother me

Lol, my dog is entitled to his privacy, too! There actually are privacy laws regarding vet info. I work in vet medicine and we can be sued if we share info without owner permission. But your reply made me grin

Sent from my Note 2

 

[Benjie]

You can set it up for just the device itself, initially synch with Googol, stop it from synching and then delete it from Google. After that, create using only the device option.

 

[cdf3]

I agree.
I don't fear the cloud. If there is a security leak and somebody gains knowledge of when my dog's next vet appointment is...it wouldn't really bother me

Another advantage of syncing with Google is that it's SO easy to install all your contacts and appointments when you switch phones.

I agree. Most of my appointments aren't top security appointments. Just basic day to day tasks.
I had a BlackBerry for 4 years, prior to switching over to Android. It took me a while to get used to the change. Using Outlook was the way to go for me at the time. The downside was that I had to wait until I got home and log onto my computer if I wanted to backup calendar appointments and contacts. Now I can do that from anywhere.

 

[dave1812]

I don't like having my personal schedule and contact info out there. Yes, it's convenient and backed up. And it's probably reasonably safe from hacking. But some people keep sensitive info in their contacts/calendar and just don't want it online like that. I did it for a year and never felt comfortable having it out there, and I wish it wasn't forced upon us when we decide to go with Android the way it is. Options are good to have

Sent from my Note 2

I'm not that paranoid and I'm also not a spy--industrial or otherwise. If I can do all my banking online on accounts with hundreds of thousands of dollars, I THINK I can have my personal calendar on line, as well. LOL!

 

[dave1812]

Lol, my dog is entitled to his privacy, too! There actually are privacy laws regarding vet info. I work in vet medicine and we can be sued if we share info without owner permission. But your reply made me grin

Sent from my Note 2

I never thought about that. Is it the same HIPAA law that has such awesomely "IMPORTANT-TO-MANKIND" rules as standing behind a painted line when first in line at the pharmacy? It's a wonder they don't require that we also cover our ears and sing...and perhaps be blindfolded too??

 

[lcneed]

When I had a blackberry before the iPhone, I had all my contacts and calendar appts on outlook on my PC. When I switched to iPhone, I decided to port them all to google contacts and calendar and sync with my iPhone 3G using google exchange. Been using that ever since and there is no turning back.

I actually feel so much more secure having my data on the cloud. Unless Skynet took over, I think my data is more secure there. I don't know how many times I have my computer hard drive fails in the past 20 years. I have 6 laptops at home, 3 phones, 3 tablets, and if I have to plug in all of them to physically sync them up, it will take forever!

And I think the chance that my data will be stolen by some virus is much higher than someone got my data off the cloud. They do have the money to hire the best internet security money could buy, while I am here hoping the free virus scan and firewall would stop the bad guys. I haven't gotten any virus in the last 5 years but the worst ones are the one you don't detect right?

 

[Heifzilla]

I'm not that paranoid and I'm also not a spy--industrial or otherwise. If I can do all my banking online on accounts with hundreds of thousands of dollars, I THINK I can have my personal calendar on line, as well. LOL!

To each their own I don't mind that you have your calendar online, you shouldn't mind that I don't No reason for people to get butthurt either way, it's just personal preference.

 

[dave1812]

To each their own I don't mind that you have your calendar online, you shouldn't mind that I don't No reason for people to get butthurt either way, it's just personal preference.

of course I don't mind. I was merely giving a personal opinion. That doesn't mean I'm caring one way or the other what others do. Only when it comes to politics do some opinions upset me.

 

[Heifzilla]

of course I don't mind. I was merely giving a personal opinion. That doesn't mean I'm caring one way or the other what others do. Only when it comes to politics do some opinions upset me.

Oh, now politics. That's a hot button for most people. I have had some wicked nasty arguments over those, lol.

 

[Heifzilla]

I never thought about that. Is it the same HIPAA law that has such awesomely "IMPORTANT-TO-MANKIND" rules as standing behind a painted line when first in line at the pharmacy? It's a wonder they don't require that we also cover our ears and sing...and perhaps be blindfolded too??

It's not known as HIPAA but it's similar in context. We can't give out any info about your pet to anyone except you unless you have given us permission. Now, not all vets bother to follow this, but in the more affluent areas, you bet it is followed. People there have money to sue and do

 

[TorontoCCWGuy]

I am still in the learning curve here and am looking at Explorer and Companionlink at the moment. I am not sure how my contracted clients would fee about their network information being in the cloud. I have hesitation in even putting MY network and personal information in the cloud to be honest. I don't even know if it is encrypted on the way in and out to be honest, but just having it float about is creepy. Having said that, guess what? We have decided to go with cloud backup for critical data... but I am sure that it is encrypted.

In any event I am still learning. I have about a week until my BB goes dead and my Samsung Note II comes online (Bell/LTE), but in the meantime am able to play using our home WiFi network, Bluetooth, USB.

Companionlink seems to be the top recommended sync software but I am also hearing of a couple of others that work well (?) and I will report back on them asap.

Anyone using CLOUD sync'ing..... is this encrypted?

Thanks for the input coming in. I do like the Note II but it seems like a lot of fluff for what I want it to do for me. I am going to want to remove some applications; and add a bunch that are applicable to my enterprises. One thing I would really like is a top notch book reader, like the Kindles.... or just something that will read PDF files as I get a ton of magazines in that format. But I digress.

I don't feel comfortable if I don't have my calendar in the cloud.

I use to use a Handspring Visor which I synced to a calendar kept on my PC. that sorta worked semi-ok for a couple of years and then disaster hit--the file became corrupted and that wiped out years of data (I didn't have a current backup). I looked for an alternative and didn't find one that I felt was useful until I decided to give Google Calendar a shot. I haven't looked back. I periodically save the calendar file to one of my computers, and also make a duplicate calendar, but despite taking those precautions, Google hasn't let me down in almost four years. You wouldn't catch me dropping Google calendar for any other option. It just "works". It syncs in moments and that lets me deal with appointments from my PC, tablet, or phones (and even a seldom-used Touch).

My opinion on using the cloud is to rely on those particular services that have a great track record for robustness. Google Calendar is reliable. My Blackberry service was UNRELIABLE. There were many days in the year+ that I owned a Storm 2 that the service would be down. My first android was a clunker--the Bionic, but it was breath of fresh air after the Storm 2.

 

[Heifzilla]

Doesn't companionlink just sync through the cloud anyway?

Sent from my Note 2

 

[MaxBuck]

I tried My Phone Explorer and Companionlink and found both of them to be counterintuitive and just plain difficult. I like Google Calendar Sync (again - I keep nothing in my calendar that I would particularly mind anyone else knowing), and as for contacts - when I enter a new contact in Outlook, I make it a practice to email myself the vcard to my Gmail account so I can pull it into the phone. Same practice in reverse for new contacts I enter into the phone. As for tasks, I haven't yet found a good solution.