The more it does, the more it doesnt'

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.

 

#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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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)

 

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.

 

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.

 

+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.

 

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

 

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...

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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

Thanks for the info though.

 

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

 

+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.

 

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

 

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.