Rate how easy to sync with MS Office Outlook

[Chef Joe]

How would you rate HTC smart phones with syncing and viewing your work MS Office Outlook email, calendar, tasks and contacts?
Thanks,
Joe

 

[drexappeal]

How would you rate HTC smart phones with syncing and viewing your work MS Office Outlook email, calendar, tasks and contacts?
Thanks,
Joe

I've never had an android phone before, so I can't really comment on HTC phoens with android OS.

I can say that with my Touch Pro on WinMo (and Mogul prior), I had absolutely NO problem using Active Sync (which MANY people hated and had issues with). I think they only problem I had was when it came to switching from my work to home PC. For some reason, I couldn't Sync both and more recently, I had issues with Syncing to my home computer (after the ROM update).

From what I've learned with HTC phones that have Android, syncing with outlook is okay for Calendar and Contacts, but doesn't support notes or tasks. Not sure about emails at all.

 

[Slacker4Life]

How would you rate HTC smart phones with syncing and viewing your work MS Office Outlook email, calendar, tasks and contacts?
Thanks,
Joe

Hey Joe, are you asking strictly of trying to sync to a single desktop Outlook profile?

The reason I ask is that I'm in charge of an environment which has WinMo, BB & Android devices syncing with Microsoft Exchange OTA. I have no real issues with Exchange and Android devices, sans the tasks & notes issue noted by Drex in the post above. I personally absolutely hate ActiveSync for connecting a single workstation to a phone, as I have much better luck using Google if we want email/contacts/calendar events, as I've had numerous problems with ActiveSync when doing individual desktop syncing(i.e. dup contacts, etc.).

 

[bimmjo]

I cant speak for Outlook syncing, so I should probably just shut up. I tried one time with my hero, before the initial firmware upgrade, my phone was REALLY buggy till then. It did not work right away and I never went back to try.

I created a gmail account, have switched everything over to them. I have to say that I am in LOVE with Google contacts, calendar and email syncing. Everything is SO simple and I have even been able to get my work account (not on outlook) switched over to it. I can share my calendar with anyone I want to share with. Instant OTA updates from phone to comp and vice versa. I have not connected my phone to my PC in any way ever, yet I have all my info.

If your company uses OUTLOOK, which I am assuming is why you are asking, you may still be able to use Google to retrieve and send the mail from your outlook????

Others may be more helpful.

 

[MauiDude]

I have a question sorta related. I currently have gmail check my other pop accounts. It works pretty good. In the browser I can send mail again with any account using any account address as the sender. I mean I can choose which account to send it as. Not the gmail address. Is this possible with the gmail app on android?

 

[Slacker4Life]

I have a question sorta related. I currently have gmail check my other pop accounts. It works pretty good. In the browser I can send mail again with any account using any account address as the sender. I mean I can choose which account to send it as. Not the gmail address. Is this possible with the gmail app on android?

I'll encourage others to jump in with more knowledge than I, but I believe currently you cannot perform this send as action from the Gmail client. I know it's one of the big gripes as many users like yourself use gmail to monitor other accounts. I would think this shortcoming will get rectified in due course however.

 

[fabulas]

I can't speak for the email, but the other PIM functions work well..........once you get it set up. I had trouble initially, but not it syncs without a hitch.

 

[spar10]

this issue is exactly what's kept me off the android wagon. i'm happy with my 755p but would really, really like to get something new.

i'm going to get the evo but only because i've found this software - DejaOffice - Business & productivity apps for your phone or tablet. i'm not interested in the whole cloud concept and i don't have access to an exchange server so it looks like this will do the trick we've all been waiting for.

 

[bimmjo]

Again, I dont claim to be an expert. I agree with everything here. I have a work account, that I used to have to use outlook with. I was able to get it through google. Now on my phone, I did not see a way to use the send as feature to show that it was being sent from my work email on my PHONE. Now on a PC, I can log in and send it from the work account or the gmail one? Not sure if that is totally what your question was?

Now I was able to set up today, that same work account directly to the Hero where it wouldnt on my ipod touch or previous phone. I know the question was about outlook. I cant speak for that, but all other email accounts I have tried have worked perfectly?

 

[neodorian]

I've read lots of issues with auto sync of Outlook calendar via EAS but is would seem that Sense devices don't have the issues that vanilla Android does and doesn't need a third party application to keep calendar in sync.

That's a good thing because I use Google for personal calendar/contacts/email and I use Exchange for work calendar/email/contacts. I love how WebOS keeps them all in the same place and same calendar view for easy reference.

I'm one of those ADHD people who really benefits from having a constantly updated copy of my calendar in my pocket at all times.

 

[drexappeal]

I've read lots of issues with auto sync of Outlook calendar via EAS but is would seem that Sense devices don't have the issues that vanilla Android does and doesn't need a third party application to keep calendar in sync.

That's a good thing because I use Google for personal calendar/contacts/email and I use Exchange for work calendar/email/contacts. I love how WebOS keeps them all in the same place and same calendar view for easy reference.

I'm one of those ADHD people who really benefits from having a constantly updated copy of my calendar in my pocket at all times.

I don't have ADHD, but it really benefits me to have my calendar up to date all the time due to how busy I am and my inability to remember everything that I have to take care of or upcoming events I have to pay attention to, like the EVO event on the 12th and the Walt Disney Pictures/Sprint sponsored event on the 17th and the EVO release date on 6/6...or whenever it is...LOL.

 

[neodorian]

Well I was only half serious about the ADHD thing but ever since I went back to college in 2004 or so I have been depending on smart phones to keep my life organized. Getting access to Exchange at work introduced me to cloud sync and constant updating of info across the phone, laptop, and desktop. Google brought this to the masses with its email/calendar/contacts functionality.

 

[Eguy]

I love being able to enter an event in google calendar on the web and see it show up on my Pre, I'm glad Android is what it is and I will continuing doing it!

 

[neodorian]

I love being able to enter an event in google calendar on the web and see it show up on my Pre, I'm glad Android is what it is and I will continuing doing it!

Exactly. I got used to that with Outlook and Windows Mobile but I didn't like keeping my personal stuff on my work Exchange account. Integrating Google and Exchange (and Facebook for that matter) made it seamless on WebOS. Hopefully I will be able to find at least a 3rd party app that will give me that kind of integration on Android as it's one thing I will really miss otherwise.

 

[drexappeal]

Exactly. I got used to that with Outlook and Windows Mobile but I didn't like keeping my personal stuff on my work Exchange account. Integrating Google and Exchange (and Facebook for that matter) made it seamless on WebOS. Hopefully I will be able to find at least a 3rd party app that will give me that kind of integration on Android as it's one thing I will really miss otherwise.

I'd love that to happen. Just like you, I'm so used to using Outlook and WinMo.

The only difference to me would be that I don't mind having my personal contacts or Calendar events on my work Outlook. I'm here 5 days a week and for more hours than I'm at home, so it's just convenient for me to update through work.

What I find great about Android is the OTA updates! So, from what I've been gathering, I can actually connect my Android device to my computer when I make updates on Outlook and then it'll update my Google stuff OTA. Win-win situation as far as I'm concerned. I just hope it's as easy as it seems it would be.

 

[neodorian]

I'd love that to happen. Just like you, I'm so used to using Outlook and WinMo.

The only difference to me would be that I don't mind having my personal contacts or Calendar events on my work Outlook. I'm here 5 days a week and for more hours than I'm at home, so it's just convenient for me to update through work.

What I find great about Android is the OTA updates! So, from what I've been gathering, I can actually connect my Android device to my computer when I make updates on Outlook and then it'll update my Google stuff OTA. Win-win situation as far as I'm concerned. I just hope it's as easy as it seems it would be.

Why would you need to connect it to your computer? It should sync over the air with Google the same way WM syncs over the air with Exchange. The whole point is that you can add something to your calendar at your desk, go off and do something and have it automatically show up on your phone's calendar.

 

[drexappeal]

Why would you need to connect it to your computer? It should sync over the air with Google the same way WM syncs over the air with Exchange. The whole point is that you can add something to your calendar at your desk, go off and do something and have it automatically show up on your phone's calendar.

I actually have never done over the air updates with WinMo. I have a desktop cradle at work for my Touch Pro.

Is it not possible to do both (e.g. Sync with Outlook through cable and then OTA w/ google account)?

 

[vuvision]

gSyncit works great for me, highly recommended guys!

http://www.daveswebsite.com/software/gsync/

 

[spar10]

maybe this will help us with a more graceful solution.

[FONT=Verdana,Sans-serif] [FONT=Verdana,Sans-serif]Apr 28, 11:38 AM (ET)[/FONT]

REDMOND, Wash. (AP) - Microsoft Corp. appears to be taking sides with the Taiwanese cell phone maker HTC Corp. in its legal tussle with Apple Inc. over intellectual property.
Microsoft said Wednesday that it has reached an agreement that will give HTC the rights to use its technology in phones using Google's Android software. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Microsoft called the deal "an example of how industry leaders can reach commercial arrangements that address intellectual property." Although Microsoft didn't mention Apple directly, this pact comes a month after Apple sued HTC and accused the company of violating patents related to the iPhone.
HTC, which has said it will defend itself against Apple's claims, is a key partner for Google in its expansion into mobile services, a move that has ignited a more direct competition with Apple.
Apple did not return messages seeking comment.
Microsoft's decision reflects the complex alliances at play in a fierce battle among technology companies to control the future of how consumers interact with online services on a range of computers and mobile devices.
Microsoft and Apple are longtime rivals. Microsoft also competes with Google in online search and in cell phone software. But Microsoft and HTC have long-standing relationships as well. Needham & Co. analyst Charles Wolf expects HTC to release a phone running the next version of Microsoft's Windows software for mobile phones this year.
[/FONT]

 

[neodorian]

I actually have never done over the air updates with WinMo. I have a desktop cradle at work for my Touch Pro.

Is it not possible to do both (e.g. Sync with Outlook through cable and then OTA w/ google account)?

Dude, if you have a Windows Mobile phone and an Exchange server at work you are seriously missing one of the best things about your phone. I would get emails on my phone before they even hit Outlook and anything I added to my calendar or tasks while out on the road was always automatically updated on Outlook at my desk. It's the kind of thing Blackberry pays extra for and Google has added with Android. Cradles and all are great for charging but tying yourself to a wire is defeating the purpose

...and if you don't have Exchange at work then I'm sorry for teasing you

 

[drexappeal]

Dude, if you have a Windows Mobile phone and an Exchange server at work you are seriously missing one of the best things about your phone. I would get emails on my phone before they even hit Outlook and anything I added to my calendar or tasks while out on the road was always automatically updated on Outlook at my desk. It's the kind of thing Blackberry pays extra for and Google has added with Android. Cradles and all are great for charging but tying yourself to a wire is defeating the purpose

...and if you don't have Exchange at work then I'm sorry for teasing you

I don't use Exchange for work emails. It's only for Calendars/Contacts/Notes/Tasks.

Only Execs and IT/MIS at my company get to use Exchange to transfer emails to their phones.

What I do want to know is, even if I'm not permitted to use exchange to transfer emails, can I currently do that for Contacts/Calendar/Notes/Tasks? If so, please enlighten me on how exactly I can set that up because I wasn't aware that'd be possible.

 

[neodorian]

I don't use Exchange for work emails. It's only for Calendars/Contacts/Notes/Tasks.

Only Execs and IT/MIS at my company get to use Exchange to transfer emails to their phones.

What I do want to know is, even if I'm not permitted to use exchange to transfer emails, can I currently do that for Contacts/Calendar/Notes/Tasks? If so, please enlighten me on how exactly I can set that up because I wasn't aware that'd be possible.

Dunno. Every time I flashed a new ROM or bought a new WM phone, I would go to Outlook or whatever it was called on WM, set up my email account and when it asked if it was an Exchange account I said yes and it pulled all the settings from the server. You could set it to sync whenever something was changed so it would push to your phone. Sorry I haven't used a WM phone in almost a year so I forget the specifics. With Palm it's even easier. On first boot you tell it your Exchange, Google, and Facebook logins and it pulls everything automatically and keeps it all in sync. Pretty seamless and a very underrated feature.

 

[elroy jetson]

the syncing isn't an issue for me. my problem is android doesn't allow you to view contacts by company...this is very annoying and time consuming

 

[drexappeal]

the syncing isn't an issue for me. my problem is android doesn't allow you to view contacts by company...this is very annoying and time consuming

Actually, this is the other thing I was curious about. In Outlook, there's an option as to how the contact will be displayed. That translates over to my Touch Pro perfectly. I noticed that when I updated my google contacts, saving everything on a csv file, the contacts full name showed up, but there was nowhere I could have the person's name display as their nickname.

Just for example, if I have my Mom's full name in Outlook, it shows up on the display as "Mom," but in google contacts it shows her full name. Does anybody, who currently has an Android phone, know if the display name can be changed (but the full name still connected to the contact)?

 

[Dollar.Bill]

Anyone tried MyPhoneExplorer?

MyPhoneExplorer Client - Android app on AppBrain