Database Info

Trying to stay clear of Exchange, but need Push and Sync!

We are using Google for your Domain, and we using Google Calendar, Custom Group Start page, etc. We are all setup that way already and we are just really in love with our setup as it is simple, fast and no-hassles. We don't want to get an exchange server, it seems so complicated, costy and not as compatible (ical, rss, etc).
What we are missing is to be able to get all this data pushed and to sync with our WM5 PDAs.
Right now we are forwarding our emails to a paid exchange service, but we are missing on all the emails that we are sending from our PDAs that do not get sync-ed with gmail.
Also I have read a little bit, but is there a way to sync Gcal with the WM5? We are leaning towards migrating to exchange to be able to have everything sync-ed, but... Google for your Domain is just so great and simple to use (and free...) There has to be a way to push and sync gmail (and contacts), gcal with a WM5! Anyone?

Not sure about push, but check GooSync out.

Google Calendar Sync
5 March 2008 Google Calendar Sync allows you to sync events between Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook Calendar.
http://www.google.com/support/calendar/bin/answer.py?answer=89955
You can now access your Google Calendar account from your mobile phone! Just visit mobile.google.com/calendar/ with your phone's web browser and once you're logged in, you'll see your list of upcoming events with date and time information in an easy-to-browse format.
Cheers
Tom

I suggest kerio Mail Server as a substitute to exchange. It works great with iCal and all of Mac. It also works great with my Tilt.

kudroz said:
We are using Google for your Domain, and we using Google Calendar, Custom Group Start page, etc. We are all setup that way already and we are just really in love with our setup as it is simple, fast and no-hassles. We don't want to get an exchange server, it seems so complicated, costy and not as compatible (ical, rss, etc).
What we are missing is to be able to get all this data pushed and to sync with our WM5 PDAs.
Right now we are forwarding our emails to a paid exchange service, but we are missing on all the emails that we are sending from our PDAs that do not get sync-ed with gmail.
Also I have read a little bit, but is there a way to sync Gcal with the WM5? We are leaning towards migrating to exchange to be able to have everything sync-ed, but... Google for your Domain is just so great and simple to use (and free...) There has to be a way to push and sync gmail (and contacts), gcal with a WM5! Anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not certain whether Funambol will handle Google email, but you might want to check it out (http://www.funambol.com). You can get a free account with them that will handle syncing PIM data and push email, coming from any POP email account. I eventually turned off the push email, since having my data access online 24/7 was running the battery down too fast, but I still use their sync function to transfer contact and calendar information between my phone and Mozilla Thunderbird

I tried this a lot a while back, I spent ages avoiding exchange, I spent hours looking; what I eventually used was a combination of IMAP and Google Calendar. IMAP has the Idle extension which allows mail to be effectively "pushed" to your device, although WM doesn't natively support this I used an add on (I forget the name, it was something like vimail but if you google IMAP Idle WM you'll surely find it or something similar). However I found it hogged my battery, it would only last literally about half a day with this program installed, not sure if it's the program or just a necessary evil of how the IMAP behaviour works.
Alternative you could just sync every 15 mins. That works reasonably well.
That leaves your calendar and Toffa's GooSync program worked quite well for me, synching my google calendar, but it doesn't offer calendar push, and they want you to pay a yearly fee which I think is annoying.
With regards to the previous post I would not recommend Funambol, nor would I recommend ScheduleWorld or Plaxo all of which I found very disappointing and glitchy (I couldn't get Funambol to work at all, actually, and I tried very hard).
This leaves Tasks and Contacts and to the best of my knowledge there is no good way of synching these OTA, so you have to resort to the bane of every WM user's existence which is WMDC/Vista (or Activesync for PC). I heard something about goosync planning to support them, but I'm not sure exactly where your synched items go, you'd have to look.
Now although this is I think the best possible solution I must say I eventually gave up and paid the $10 or whatever for hosted Exchange, which is much more seamless.

Best email, contact & calendar provider online for PocketPC users ?

Hello,
I am a PocketPC user, and I want to completely reorganize the way I am using my private emails, contact & calendar !
I would like to manipulate my data (email, contact & calendar), on the PocketPC AND online on the Web.
Which solution email/contact/calendar solution do you recommend me ?
I have listed these solutions (do you know other possibilities ?):
- Google and Zoho PIM suite: The good, it is online and free. The bad is that there is no way to sync them with the PocketPC.
- Microsoft Exchange: The good, it is on the Pocket PC. The bad, it is costs money.
chris

I use Yahoo. Sync device with Outlook; Outlook and device always the same. Outlook syncs with Yahoo contacts, calendar, etc via Intellisync. So I have a nice backup of everything on Yahoo, can still access things on Yahoo mobile or Yahoo full web.
Outlook on Desktop.
pOutlook on Device.
Yahoo Intellisync to sync Yahoo and Outlook.
Sync Device to Outlook, Outlook to Yahoo.
However this takes mental energy to remember which will be the home to the 'correct' info. So if you edit things in Yahoo, on your phone and in Outlook without first syncing everythign, you can run into issues.
I recently moved to a Service Desk software for my business. It is a served application and I just go to the WWW address to get all the info. Interent dependent though...and web browsing is slow when under the gun...

I also know that if you use the Yahoo mobile plugin system that you pretty much just work from within that shell. Its good for some. I guess it is called Y! Go. I had it on my 8125 and it worked well, a bit slow on the 8125.

I didn't know about this Yahoo sync system. I will have a look at it.
If I understand your feedback, what you are missing is: the need to sync your contacts/calendar directly online from your PocketPC. That's right ?
I do agree with you, the best solution would be to be able to sync online all your applications, that ís the application on the PocketPC (POutlook) and the application on the PC (Outlook).
As far as I know, only Microsoft Exchange is offering this possibility. But it costs quite a lot..
Chris

Google Apps and mail2web
I really like googlemail, and actually use google apps for domains to manage a couple of domain names. I've set up Outlook using IMAP to connect to these accounts but do not schedule mail download. This allows me to easily send emails from my account.
I've then set up mail forwarding within googlemail to a free mail2web account, that is in effect Exchange. This is set up as a push account within Outlook(works really well). Within googlemail I have a rule setup to archive mails once they are forwarded, this gives me a clean inbox should I wish to bring up the IMAP connection to view archived mail.

Could anyone using MS Exchange, give a feedback about this solution ?
Nick, why don't you just use your MS Exchange account (mail2web) ? it seems to me that you don't need to have a gmail account.
Chris

With Mail2web I can only reply and send mails as [email protected]
If I want to send an email from my own domain I need to do it through my Google Apps for Domains setup.
If mail2web could handle personal domains it would be fine. Google do a really good job of this with regard to MX records and reverse dns lookups.

Hosted Exchange would be a nice solution: admitted it costs a few euros per month (6 here) but you get a mailbox which WinMo directly syncs with (without any dirty hacks, plugins and stuff) plus a quite nice webmail/calendaring/collaboration environment (Outlook Web Access).

According to your post, it seems that MS Exchange is actually the only "clean" (=acceptable) way to have the possibility to have your email/contact/calendar on your PocketPC and online.
So, I definitely need to have a look at the offers to see how much it is. Do you know a comparison table of the different companies offering Exchange hosting ?
Nick, i understand now why you still use Google. I do think you can use your own domain with Exchange thought. Maybe not with mail2web.com , but other competitors probably offer this.
How much do you pay for your hosted Exchange ?
spone1, I agree with your conclusion. Which Exchange hosting provider do you use ?
Chris

Mail2web is free!! You may as well sign-up just to see how Push/Active Sync works.
So 95% of the benefits of Exchange (active sync, Outlook Web access etc.) but just no domain hosting. I don't have that many mails that I need to reply to from my domain when I am out and about, so it's really not that big a deal for me to quickly switch accounts when I need to. I'm sure I could get hosted Exchange including a domain or two, but I'd expect it would be between £50 and £100 pounds a year, and wouldn't really give me that much benefit.
But the benefit of having push email is great. ActiveSync does seem to occassional have trouble connecting if my connection type changes through the day. Eg, I connect via WIFI at home, then in the car the phone will pick up 3G, thn by the time I'm at work I'm down to GPRS, at some locations in work I can pick up WIFI again and then for the return journey etc. It can be fixed be manually synchronising to get things running again, but that does kind of defeats the object of push email.
Another alternative is to run your own mail server. It doesn't have to be MS Exchange, there are other that are compatible. But this seems a little like too much hard work without much benefit.

Don't forget that you can use Google with any domain by using Google Apps.
They currently handle MX records for my Domain.

Yeah, Google apps is great, and would be perfect for me if it could handle push email. IMAP isn't the end of the World, just not as slick.
Google apps is my primary mail handler. In effect all mail2web is doing for me is adding push capability

Cloud winmo now
I have a setup that works great for me.
I use a beta (free) service mobipush for push gmail. http://www.mobipush.com/
I use remember the milk for tasks that can be a plugin in google calendar and sync wirelessly with your outlook mobile tasks.
https://www.rememberthemilk.com/
(there is a gadget to add RTM to your gmail screen and intergrated into google calendar.)
I use ogg sync for syncing contacts and calendar.
http://oggsync.com/
Something extra!!!
I also us Jott to add via voice tasks and calendar events to remember the milk and google calendar when I can't type. i.e. when driving.
http://jott.com
This system gives me the cloud experiance of a google phone with the power of a winmo device

I used 4smartphone.net hosted Exchange and before that I'd been using Intellisync for over-the-air sync with Lotus Domino. Intellisync solution was a good one as it provided rather comprehensive sync options. However, I'd been using it few years ago, so I don't really know whether this solution is still available (looks like Nokia had bought Intellisync).
Exchange solution is great for its native support, but lacks few features (like separate folders support and OTA sync for notes).
I think that hosted Exchange 2007 is the preferred option.

Nick-- said:
With Mail2web I can only reply and send mails as [email protected]
If I want to send an email from my own domain I need to do it through my Google Apps for Domains setup.
If mail2web could handle personal domains it would be fine. Google do a really good job of this with regard to MX records and reverse dns lookups.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have my personal domain stuza.com pointing to my mail2web.com account and I love it. Works superbly. I can edit calender/contacts and it changes automaticaly on the mail2web server. Also saves a bucketload of time should you decide to flash your phone - you simply give it your email address and it goes away and autoconfigures the exchange settings and then pulls all your contacts/schedule data down. All my mail comes into [email protected] and goes out from [email protected] .... frickin sweet.
I will never live again without an exchange solution.
edit: dont know if it makes a diference but i have a paid mail2web account

Has anybody tried funambol.com? It is an open source project that I recently found. I haven't tested it with the exception of email but it does have contacts and calendar components. I hope it works for you!
gottago
Sprint Touch w/ WM 6.1

windows live mail
windows live mail works just like exchange, syncing calendar, mail, contacts...etc
Push mail works easily and without any setup. Usually it comes with wm6 phones, but you can also install the cab found on the forum.

Xilicon said:
windows live mail works just like exchange, syncing calendar, mail, contacts...etc
Push mail works easily and without any setup. Usually it comes with wm6 phones, but you can also install the cab found on the forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay my age is probably getting in the way, but don't you have to use Outlook to synch calendar? Has there been an upgrade to Windows Live Mail or something else I may be missing?
gottago
Sprint Touch w/ WM 6.1

gottago said:
Has anybody tried funambol.com? It is an open source project that I recently found. I haven't tested it with the exception of email but it does have contacts and calendar components. I hope it works for you!
gottago
Sprint Touch w/ WM 6.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Further on funambol.com and to the original poster's request. Funambol has it's own web site that will serve to pull/push email and contacts with GMail. I don't use the calendar on Gmail so I can not address that but Funambol provides you a myfunambol web page that will consolidate your email/contacts as well as any calendar/tasks/notes/briefcase on your PPC. So, in effect, you can go to your myfunambol page and see your email, contacts, calendar, etc. all in one place on the web as well as on your PPC. Funambol provides flexibility as to what it actually synchs so you remain in control. While you can schedule your synch times, it also has the option of synching on a 'push' basis. I will admit that this capability is not necessarily perfect at this point but it is clearly being worked on.
This is a great solution for me as I do not use Outlook (too cheap to buy) or Internet Explorer on my PC. I use Thunderbird/Lightning and Firefox. There is a Funambol plugin for Thunderbird that works well.
NOTE: I have no affiliation with Funambol other than as a user of this one product.
gottago
Sprint Touch w/WM 6.1

[Q] Syncing Outlook contacts and calendar to WP7

Hi, I'm new around here as a new WP7 user, I'm trying to get some advice. I have all of my contacts and calendar entries synced to Outlook. I have Zune software installed. I may just be missing something simple, but how do I get the phone to sync with Outlook and grab these contacts and calendar entries?
Many thanks
Michael.

Bad news. It does not sync with Outlook (only Exchange version) with a pst file.
11 page thread below re this.

What? Windows phone do not sync with outlook? Are they killing each other...
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Hi
It is possible - just get the Outlok connector to sync Outlook to Windows Live, and then Windows Live will sync to the WP7 (over the air).
Paul

I'm shocked that it can't just sync directly with Outlook
Anyway, I did put my Windows Live ID onto the phone, but that then synced all of my MSN contacts to the phone book, which I don't want. I couldn't find a way to stop it syncing my MSN contacts, and as you cannot delete the account once entered, I had to format the phone and start over.
So it looks like I'm going to need a whole new Windows Live account just to sync my Outlook contacts and calendar. Looking at the Outlook connector it seems to be saying that it'll transfer your Live contacts and calendar to Outlook, but what I'm wanting is the other way around, my Outlook calendar and contact to transfer to Live. How do you do this?
Many thanks
Michael.

Ok - firstly Windows Live isn't the only way to sync contacts/calendar on to your phone OTA. There is Exchange, gmail etc to do this. You might want to look at the other methods.
I for one didn't want to use Live at all and went for an hosted Exchange option till I can get my own server sorted (overkill I know). However, hosted Exchange costs about £4 pm.If you have your own domain, even sweeter.
So I still use Outlook (I'm lucky I have 2010 so can have 2 excahnge accounts on 1 profile) to keep all my work and home calendar and contacts in sync with my phone and this also translates to home desktops and laptops automatically too. This is as easy as drgging and dropping between accounts.

chubnut said:
Ok - firstly Windows Live isn't the only way to sync contacts/calendar on to your phone OTA. There is Exchange, gmail etc to do this. You might want to look at the other methods.
I for one didn't want to use Live at all and went for an hosted Exchange option till I can get my own server sorted (overkill I know). However, hosted Exchange costs about £4 pm.If you have your own domain, even sweeter.
So I still use Outlook (I'm lucky I have 2010 so can have 2 excahnge accounts on 1 profile) to keep all my work and home calendar and contacts in sync with my phone and this also translates to home desktops and laptops automatically too. This is as easy as drgging and dropping between accounts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I have to sync with Outlook OTA, what I really want is a solution that works the same as MobileMe, i.e., it automatically keeps all the data between the phone and Outlook in sync without the need to perform manual syncs. Is this possible?

the usual send/recieve in outlook will connect to your live account also and onto your phone why pay £4pm when this kinda thing should be included, I'm sure MS will get off their arse soon and do some updates and tweaking.

jedix said:
the usual send/recieve in outlook will connect to your live account also and onto your phone why pay £4pm when this kinda thing should be included, I'm sure MS will get off their arse soon and do some updates and tweaking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right MS need to sort this out but I doubt it's a priority. They consider the whole Outlook thing to be a business solution and by their very own words are a secondary concern for this OS at the moment. They want the simple masses not the business/power users. They want that massive chunk of iPhone and Android drones to come over to WP.
There is no way I want my business and personal contacts and calendar on Live. That **** gets hacked all the time. The hosted exchange solution was the safest and easiest solution for me at present. It's quick and easy to set up, secure as it's a business solution and employs security protocols way above those on Live. In addition the OTA synchronisation between the device and all other machines that use that exchange account (so those at home and my PC at work) is instantaneous, and yes a bit of a pain to do the drag and drop between the exchange accounts but it's EXACTLY the same as you will have to do if you use Live and the Outlook connector. £4pm is in my opinion not a high price to pay for to satisfy my concerns.

Hmmm, so what r the options ?
Desktop synching is critical to me.
I've got a small business, we don't run Exchange server but have invested serious time to standardise on Outlook/Office: contacts, tasks, notes, onenote, email client, word/excel.
Contacts and detailed contact info is our IP; Word/Excel data is client confidential. Placing this on someone else's drive in the cloud isn't an option.
From what I understand so far...
1. Phone 7: data on the cloud; doesn't sync (manual updates)
2. Android: data on the cloud; synchs email and contacts only (?)
3. Apple: data on the desktop, synchs email and contacts only
4. Symbian: ugh !
5. WM6.x: currently trying to get away from the endless problems and snail-like performance
Is this right ?
Does anyone have an alternative (other than implementing Exchange)?
(Waiting doesn’t seem an option either. I'm sceptical MS will introduce desktop synching anytime soon, or at all: social users won't care and Exchange synch takes care of corporates - hence 80% of potential market is catered for. Also, the prospect of selling cloud storage has put a light in way too many eyes. )

mrochester said:
If I have to sync with Outlook OTA, what I really want is a solution that works the same as MobileMe, i.e., it automatically keeps all the data between the phone and Outlook in sync without the need to perform manual syncs. Is this possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Windows Live uses Exchange ActiveSync. That is far superior to MobileMe. Do people still use MobileMe?
Anyways...
Exchange also uses ActiveSync.
Exchange is supported Natively in Outlook. Windows Live is supported via the Connector (Mail, Contacts, Calendar).
Everything stays in Sync.

jedix said:
the usual send/recieve in outlook will connect to your live account also and onto your phone why pay £4pm when this kinda thing should be included, I'm sure MS will get off their arse soon and do some updates and tweaking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Outlook Connector and Hotmail ActiveSync is completely free.
Don't spread lies.

I'm not totally of-fay with Android or iPhone so can't really comment except I think that iPhones also do calendar from Outlook desktop via iTunes (and correct me if I'm wrong OTA with exchange).
Also with Android, some guys at work do use desktop sync to Outlook but I don't know what and how but they do use it.
I just came off the WinMo 6.5 bandwagon so I know what it was capable of not mater how bad.
WP7, my company won't open up the ports to allow Exchange to sync (they like SlackBerries) and with the absence desktop sync I had to implement my own methods for OTA syncing without using Live. None of this is ideal but it seems from other forums that a lot of people are complaining about this and M$ I believe are listening, though when it will be sorted is another matter.
Sorry

dfh said:
what I understand so far...
1. Phone 7: data on the cloud; doesn't sync (manual updates)
2. Android: data on the cloud; synchs email and contacts only (?)
3. Apple: data on the desktop, synchs email and contacts only
4. Symbian: ugh !
5. WM6.x: currently trying to get away from the endless problems and snail-like performance
Is this right ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't understand... No, it is not correct.
1. Data on the cloud. Synchs automatically:
Of course your email, calendar, and contact list shows up from Hotmail, powered by Exchange ActiveSync. And because the phone supports multiple ActiveSync connections, you can connect to your Exchange server at work and view all of your mail, both calendars, and your entire contact list on your phone. And similar to Hotmail on the web, it’s really easy to make quick edits to Office documents you receive as email attachments and reply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reference: http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_...0/10/11/windows-live-and-windows-phone-7.aspx
2. Android Synchs Calendars from Google Servers. Google on Android has weaker (i.e. less tight) integration than Windows Live on Windows Phone 7, though.
3. MobileMe is inferior to both the WP7/Live and Android/Google integration. It supports ActiveSync, however.
4. Symbian supports ActiveSync. Symbian may not look that great but feature for feature it can match or rival most other smartphone OSes. The UI is what has held Symbian back, not the core platform - which is great.
5. WM6.x Supports ActiveSync and there is Windows Live for Windows Mobile to Sync Winodws Live Mail and Contacts to the phone. It can also merge Live Contacts with already-existing Phone contacts and show Presence information. There is Microsoft Office 2010 Mobile for Windows Mobile 6.5. The only WinMo phone I'd bother using is an HD2 these days, but that device has its own problems (if you get a "good one", then you're good to go, though).
On WinMo 6.5 You can sync your Hotmail Contacts/Mail via Windows Live for Windows Mobile, chat with Windows Live Messenger Mobile, and get your Google Mail, Contacts, and Calendar via ActiveSync by way of Google Sync.
Does anyone have an alternative (other than implementing Exchange)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can get a Blackberry and use BIS/BES.
(Waiting doesn’t seem an option either. I'm sceptical MS will introduce desktop synching anytime soon, or at all: social users won't care and Exchange synch takes care of corporates - hence 80% of potential market is catered for. Also, the prospect of selling cloud storage has put a light in way too many eyes. )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Desktop Syncing is a feature being fantastically overstated in these forums, just like stuff like a File manager. If you're a Lemming then just get an Android phone and use Google Services. If you can make your own decisions I think I've cleared up enough of your misconceptions in this reply (or at least given you the capabilities of each platform IRT what info syncs that may pretain to you specific use case).
EDIT: If you're running a business you can do yourself a favor and oursource your Exchange hosting. For example: http://www.apps4rent.com/ has 6-7GB mailboxes for something like $7.99/mo and you can get just 1 mailbox if you want, with no contract or anything. I used them for a couple of years, so I can vouch for them. You get Outlook for free with you Plan (or Entourage/Outlook for Mac) and ActiveSync is a free Add-On. You can access from web browsers using OWA, and use either a sub-domain or your own domain.

See this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=797472

I'm pretty sure anyone reading this thread has seen that trainwreck of a thread. You don't need to crosspost the link here. You're free to bump your thread.

Pretty sure
I'm very sure that you do not use Outlook on a stand alone PC with a pst file and sync every day with a Win Phone or you would understand what we are all talking about. No I qualify, sync every day with Calender, Tasks, & Contacts.[/I]

Just for those who have read this thread and are confused; I have an outlook calendar, contacts, and hotmail all synced up with my WP7 device.
Calendar - I chose to install Google Calendar Sync onto my Outlook PC. It automatically syncs my local outlook calendar with the cloud every 10 mins. Google calendar then pushes any changes to my phone instantly, no wires.
Contacts - I chose to install the hotmail connector for outlook, and dragged all my contacts out of their folder and into the hotmail account. this pushed them onto the phone automatically, no wires. Any changes to contacts are now made either on the phone directly, or in the new contacts folder created by the hotmail connector.
Hotmail - I used to use the POP3 account settings, but decided to change to using the outlook connector instead. Works a treat. Push Email is far superior to clunky old send/receive schedules.
The above may not suit everone, but it works for me and I`m very happy with the results.

@N8ter
No, desktop sync and file manager is not oversized.
It's basics which should be provided

Funny how people were moaning about WM6.5's lack of wireless sync with Outlook. Now that WP7 syncs wirelessly with Outlook, people are moaning that it doesn't sync over wired USB.
Some people will never be happy. *shrug*

Outlook - is there or isnt there a foolproof solution on WP7?

Hi, yes I know, there are myriads of ugly workarounds, "exports", plugs-n-bugs, "connectors", "Exchange" accounts, etc.
But is there a simple, dedicated application (app, whatever) that allows a non-corporate user with existing private Outlook on his PC to have his Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and at least few of latest emails in Inbox and Sent Items to sync in ONE simple step?
Not some complicated, split, multi-step process that needs constant attention, but a solution that every user can implement - most likely, a central storage for user's Outlook data. I dont mind "confidentiality" and that my Outlook data is in the "cloud", just need a simple solution.
To give one little example - even something as basic as Contacts sync, requires some abra-cadabra "connector" but even if you pass the seven gates (and must from then use a separate "Hotmail" folder for your contacts in you OWN Outlook), even then, Windows Live reject any contact with more than 1,000 charachters AND for "invalid" email addresses, which you have to hunt-for in your existing contacts...Tasks sync? Dont even mention. Mincrosoft copies even the "we tell you what you need" of Apple here.
If there is a "one-click" solution for this glaring omission, what is it and perhaps people are already working on an App? If there isnt, why not - is there some Microsoft lock-down in the Outlook or the WP7 that prevents it?

I gave up a little while ago and just switched to Windows Live Mail. Does all the things I need it to and its free.

Are you asking about this >> http://help.outlook.com/en-US/140/gg583824.aspx

asherpat said:
Hi, yes I know, there are myriads of ugly workarounds, "exports", plugs-n-bugs, "connectors", "Exchange" accounts, etc.
But is there a simple, dedicated application (app, whatever) that allows a non-corporate user with existing private Outlook on his PC to have his Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and at least few of latest emails in Inbox and Sent Items to sync in ONE simple step?
Not some complicated, split, multi-step process that needs constant attention, but a solution that every user can implement - most likely, a central storage for user's Outlook data. I dont mind "confidentiality" and that my Outlook data is in the "cloud", just need a simple solution.
To give one little example - even something as basic as Contacts sync, requires some abra-cadabra "connector" but even if you pass the seven gates (and must from then use a separate "Hotmail" folder for your contacts in you OWN Outlook), even then, Windows Live reject any contact with more than 1,000 charachters AND for "invalid" email addresses, which you have to hunt-for in your existing contacts...Tasks sync? Dont even mention. Mincrosoft copies even the "we tell you what you need" of Apple here.
If there is a "one-click" solution for this glaring omission, what is it and perhaps people are already working on an App? If there isnt, why not - is there some Microsoft lock-down in the Outlook or the WP7 that prevents it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Windows live would be the easier way or to connect to live and your home email at same time. The problem is home accounts such as calendar have to email or tasks to sync. Since syncing is done over the air, windows phone can access comcast's email for example. but comcast does not provide anything else. So solution would be, create a hotmail / live account to sync. You must have one anyway for windows phone. In outlook sync to same hotmail and add your other account as a 2ndary. Add the other account on windows phone also.
Problem solved. Outlook will sync calendar and contacts / tasks to windows live and your phone will retrieve it from there. For email they will be both sync both accounts.
Hope this makes sense, but it will work that way.

Email removed after PC download.

Hey guys,
I'm on Windows phone temporarily while my HTC OneX is being fixed.
I'm having a frustrating problem with my email on a Nokia Lumia 610.
Using a POP account the windows phone downloads my emails without any problems. But, once I download the same emails on my PC, the windows Phone decides to remove(from the phone) the same emails rather than leaving copies like both Ios & Android. This is highly frustrating when forwarding Airline tickets or schedules you want to save for later reference. Today I missed a bus because of it. Thanks Microsoft
Anyone know how to fix it? The email settings seemed too dumbed down to be of any use.
Cheers.

First suggestion would be to use an email protocol that is merely old, instead of completely obsolete. POP3 is from the 80s, and it shows. Does your provider seriously not offer IMAP access? There are plenty of perfectly good and free emails providers which do... Some of them will even pull email from other inboxes for you.
Second suggestion, if you absolutely must use POP3, would be to make sure that both the phone and PC are configured to "Leave a copy of messages on the server" when downloading. My best guess as to what's happening is that your PC is configured to download and remove the messages from the server. Then, when your phone syncs with the server again, it sees that the messages it had previously downloaded were deleted from the server, so it deletes the local copies as well.

That's exactly what is happing. I just think its the wrong way. Even my old Nokia dumbphone from 5 years ago left copies of downloaded emails on the phone. As does the Iphone & Android.
Thanks for the help anyway. I don't think Imap is an option.

Gmail, as one example, supports IMAP (for free) and I believe it can retrieve mail from a POP3 server for you too (although I haven't tried). Alternatively, you may be able to set up your POP3 account to forward mail to a Gmail account. IMAP really is just a superior protocol.
Is there some reason you're not keeping the messages on the server after download? I guess I can see why you'd prefer that the phone not remove messages that were removed from the server, but given how little synchronization is possible in POP3 anyhow, I actually think that behavior is better than nothing (although perhaps it should be configurable and for some reason isn't).

I was able to switch to IMAP, but my WP is still deleting the mails after the PC downloads them. UGH.
If I let my PC email client leave the messages on the server, it will constantly re download them. (I think).
I'm sure this is a WP problem/oversight as multiple other devices work correctly.

If your PC email client constantly re-downloads message that it itself has chosen to leave on the server, you're using a truly outrageously bad email client! Even with POP3, it's quite possible for a client to list the messages on the server, and then only download the ones it doens't have. This is how all major email clients work (Outlook, Windows [Live] Mail, Thunderbird, Apple's Mail app, the WP7 email client, etc.) Even better, though, would be to also use IMAP on the PC client, as that way you could truly keep things in sync between the phone and the PC (for example, if you read a message on the phone, it would be makred as read on the PC when you got home, and if you send a message on the PC at home, it would be visible in the Sent Items folder on the phone too).