What's the BEST app for sync'ing to Outlook?

[Laughinglarry]

I'm brand new to the Android platform, coming from 8 years of BlackBerry experience. I have an HTC Sensation 4G, and quite frankly HTC Sync is terrible. It didn't import many of my contacts, and I can't find a clear pattern as to which ones it missed (I have over 2500 in Outlook - around 2400 in the phone). I was also shocked that it doesn't sync notes or tasks- both features that I commonly use.

I know that there are a few apps for sync'ing, and I'd love to see if there's any kind of consensus as to a "BEST" one.

Thanks!

 

[takeshi]

Best is always highly subjective and Outlook sync is no different. Clarify what you mean specifically by best if you want suggestions relevant to you. Your criteria for best can definitely vary from the next person's. Don't assume that your needs/wants are universal. Consensus doesn't really help unless your needs/wants happen to be in line with what's popular.

As always with Outlook sync questions, don't overlook Syncdroid.

 

[Laughinglarry]

I suppose I'm looking for something that will sync ALL of my contacts, notes and tasks as well as calendars. I'd like to be able to sort contacts by Company name, not just individual's names. Basically, I'd like my Android to offer the seamless integration that BlackBerry offers standard with their synchronization software...

That Syncdroid link looks awfully helpful - THANK YOU!

 

[Laughinglarry]

Something relatively fast would also be better in MY book than something very slow. Just launching HTC Sync takes far longer than completing a sync on the BlackBerry.

 

[AngryHatter]

And less costly than the $50 they want.

 

[RazzMaTazz]

I use this method to sync Outlook contacts and calendar for free. But it doesn't sync tasks. Syncdroid.net lists most of the 3rd party syn options. CompanionLink seems to be one of the more popular apps.

 

[parcou]

I use this app...

Sync2 - Synchronize Microsoft Outlook on multiple PCs without a server. Sync Outlook and Google Calendar and Contacts.

I use Outlook and hate the HTC sync... It sync my Contact & Calendar and no cable needed. Tried a few but settled on this one...

 

[JimSmith94]

I use this app...

Sync2 - Synchronize Microsoft Outlook on multiple PCs without a server. Sync Outlook and Google Calendar and Contacts.

I use Outlook and hate the HTC sync... It sync my Contact & Calendar and no cable needed. Tried a few but settled on this one...

I just might have to try this one. At first glance, it looks like it will synchronize my Outlook contacts and calendar with Google, and keep them synchronized on an automatic schedule. Then Google keeps the phone synchronized with that data. Is that right?

Edit: Just noticed that Sync2 isn't free. I got spoiled by Microsoft's free and fast ActiveSync from my Windows Mobile days. I guess I'll just stick with HTC Sync for now.

 

[RazzMaTazz]

I just might have to try this one. At first glance, it looks like it will synchronize my Outlook contacts and calendar with Google, and keep them synchronized on an automatic schedule. Then Google keeps the phone synchronized with that data. Is that right?

Just to be clear, the following method lets you use Android's built-in "Active-Sync" functionality to automatically sync Outlook contacts and calendar with Android. You can set it up to synchronize on a schedule or to push changes whenever they're made on any device. You can use it to sync Outlook on multiple PCs and multiple Android devices, for free, with no 3rd party software or apps.
http://androidforums.com/android-ap...id-without-3rd-party-app-exchange-server.html

 

[JimSmith94]

Just to be clear, the following method lets you use Android's built-in "Active-Sync" functionality to automatically sync Outlook contacts and calendar with Android. You can set it up to synchronize on a schedule or to push changes whenever they're made on any device. You can use it to sync Outlook on multiple PCs and multiple Android devices, for free, with no 3rd party software or apps.
http://androidforums.com/android-ap...id-without-3rd-party-app-exchange-server.html

You keep saying that your method requires no 3rd party software or apps, yet it requires adding a Hotmail account. To me, Hotmail is a 3rd party app, and an extra application level to go through.

 

[RazzMaTazz]

You keep saying that your method requires no 3rd party software or apps, yet it requires adding a Hotmail account. To me, Hotmail is a 3rd party app, and an extra application level to go through.

An app is a piece of software that you download to your Android device. Hotmail is not an app. It's a free service that works with the ActiveSync functionality that's already built into your Android device. Adding a Hotmail account to Outlook and your Android device is like adding a Gmail account to Outlook and your Android device.

I used to use 3rd party synchronization software (MyPhoneExplorer) but synchronizing through Hotmail is so much better because it works automatically, immediately, for multiple PCs and multiple Android devices from anywhere in the world, for free, without wasting any memory on my Android device. But if for some reason you prefer to download a 3rd party app to your phone, and 3rd party software to your PC, I wish you the best.