Android without Google Cloud (or only for Market) - How to? - Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]

Hi All,
I did some researches but could not find any detailed answer so I decided to create a new topic.
As mentioned in some other threads, I have been using WinMo for years but since WM6.5 is dead, I am looking for other alternatives. I don't see any future in WM7 and I think that Android OS is the most promising
Unfortunately, I am not very comfortable with the "Google Cloud" for some privacy reasons. I do not want to upload all my contacts and calendar to Google and thus, I would like to keep my private data between my Outlook (both personal and professional) and my Phone (as for WM6).
I know that using Android without Google Cloud will remove a lot of convenient functions but I still prefer going for a longer and slightly less convenient process to sync my contacts and calendar.
I understood from some readings that we can disable the synchronization for Google contacts and Calendar, which sounds good to me! The only function I would keep is Google Market as it seems to be compulsory for a good use of Android.
I am now wondering how I could synchronize my Outlook with Android. I am used to organize my personal and professional data on Outlook with the Contacts, the Calendar, Notes and by using Categories. Do you know any solution that would help me to sync my data from Outlook with an Android phone?
I heard about Android-Sync, is it good? Does it sync the data properly? Does it keep the Categories?
Do you know any other solution to sync Android with Outlook without the use of Google Contacts/Calendar?
Thanks a lot for your expert advices

I agree with you 100%
That is my total turn-off in using android phones.
I do not want and I do not like the "cloud". Firstly for privacy issues and also for roaming charges and/or low internet coverage. I do travel a lot and when I travel my android has 50% functonality working, the other half I cannot use: ridiculous
With android it has to go on the cloud too many of my infos (contacts, calendar, tasks etc) and it seems that almost all good apps want to do the same.
I doubt you will find a good solution with android since all their revenue comes from the cloud, they will sabotage any attempt to put good offline use.
Solution?
Will see what nokia/microsoft are going to do with windows mobile 7. Hope is not cloud based , or at least it has decent offline use

Welcome to life in the clouds! LOL
If you are a VZW customer you can use Backup Assistant to copy all your contacts (not sure if it will copy Facebook or other SocNet sources).
Once you do that go into Settings-Accounts and shut off sync with google.
Now go to GMail, delete all the contacts and then restore from backup assistant.
At that point pretty much all of your information will be on the phone only.
This will allow you to use the Marketplace without issue but by turning off Google Sync none of the phone info will go to Google servers.
You might have to go into Google Cal and delete info there too if you want but do not do that before you shut off the google sync in accounts.
If you are not on verizon, most carriers have another tool that will do the work of backup Assistant. They (and VZW) use those when you ask them to transfer contacts from one phone to another system (that may not be android!) so it is a good way to clear the cloud.
EDIT: I forgot to say that you should then shut off syncing with Background assistant and then go to your verizon account tools and export the contacts to a CSV file. Then delete from there as well.
But I don't consider VZW's server to be as cloud as GMail.

Related

Want to Be Up in The Clouds - Migrating to Cloud Technology (Help)

Hello all,
Essentially I want to move from my current setup for data sync to a better more effective cloud based solution. I don't mind multiple applications or hours of tweaking, and ideally being free is nice!
Current Setup
Laptop with Outlook Syncs calendar, contacts, notes and tasks with WinMo phone.
WinMo phone uses the former to sync and uses MS Exchange GMail to get 1 or my 3 email accounts (had to prioritise).
The Future
Laptop syncs to server somewhere as it's generally always online. Otherwise sync is done manually via USB. Having the option for both is nice.
WinMo syncs over the air, downloads the Outlook data, emails are nice but as long as I can get one account I'm happy.
Concern
I dislike with a passion reorganising my contacts, etc. Therefore I don't want any duplicates if I go from manually to cloud. Also if I change from WinMo to Andriod (that new Google phone/HTC Passion is tempting) then I need to be able to continue the same setup or change with ease.
Ok that's all of it, what do you all suggest?
Any ideas?

Good (WiFi/3G) Outlook Sync APP, does it exist?

I don't use Outlook but my dad does. As his android tech advisor I am at a loss trying to find a good solution for syncing his Outlook to his phone.
It seems like there would be a good solution for this but everything I've found is either a half-baked email-and-contacts-only job and requires paying for Exchange service (paying for apps or Exchange service is not a problem if it works well, but the reviews are not favorable)
If a good reliable Outlook sync option does not currently exist what would be involved in making one?
I don't understand the need to sync with outlook when one can sync with Google automatically.
The htc sync software syncs with outlook. It comes with new phones on the sd card or can be downloaded from the htc site.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
[email protected] said:
I don't understand the need to sync with outlook when one can sync with Google automatically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand your point. It sounds like you're suggesting he stop using outlook and switch to google for email, contacts, calendar, notes, tasks, etc.
He uses Outlook (as many people do) and does not see google as a comparable alternative.
While it works fine as the account he uses to manage the phone he has no intention of migrating away from Outlook, at least not to Google, not for such business critical purposes.
johncjenc said:
The htc sync software syncs with outlook. It comes with new phones on the sd card or can be downloaded from the htc site.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I edited the thread title..
nebenezer said:
I don't understand your point. It sounds like you're suggesting he stop using outlook and switch to google for email, contacts, calendar, notes, tasks, etc.
He uses Outlook (as many people do) and does not see google as a comparable alternative.
While it works fine as the account he uses to manage the phone he has no intention of migrating away from Outlook, at least not to Google, not for such business critical purposes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think what he was trying to say is that you can use Google Sync to sync between Outlook & your android phone via Google's cloud. Something that I do as well. But it may not be as in depth as you're seeking.
Here is an article from PC World. http://www.pcworld.com/article/200654/sync_outlook_with_your_google_calendar.html
For a paid app that does it all, here's a review of an app in the Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/15/AR2010071504701.html
Hey Nebenezer,
I realize this may be a bit late for you but maybe better late than never.
I'm in the same boat as you (advisor to my brother).
I found and tested Deja Office by Companionlink (Companionlink USB @ $39.99 - did not see need for pro @$99.99.)
After testing it a bit it looked like it fit the bill. I put my brother on it and he's used it thru the trial well enough and so bought it. I think it's about 3 weeks now. He's happy with it.
I didn't have the same need to stay with outlook but since I tested these are the main points I noted:
Requires using their own suite of apps on the phone
Does not use the stock phone's DBs
DOES sync contacts [optionally] with the phones contacts
NOT SURE if it syncs CALENDAR to phone's calendar (I suspect it does but I didn't test and my brother does not need/want it)
It's up to the user to make sure contacts/calendar dont get sucked into the google cloud (if you don't wan't that as in my brother's case) as a result of syncing with the phone's contacts/calendar
USB cable sync (not wifi as you asked for)
The using of their own apps (which are really a suite in one app so has it's own "launcher" screen) turns out to be less of a pain in the ass than I thought it would be (I found shortcuts to each individual 'app' so no need to deal w/ their 'launcher' screen). My brother does not find it bothersome at all.
The apps also hove a bit more of an Outlook-centric feel and fields mapping so he liked it (you can see the android apps, btw, for free from the Market - search Deja Office - you only pay for the PC Sync side)
I should note that my brother spends most of his time in Outlook on the the desktop rather than on the phone (my usage pattern is the inverse) so let your dad use it and decide if he likes it. As always, ymmv.
Hope that helps you and your dad. It's at least worth giving a look.
Btw, I forgot to mention, it does NOT deal w/ email. Only Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and Notes. I liked that model because email can be easily handled using IMAP or Gmail (which my brother uses) and so no requirement for Exchange.
Conversely, it does not support Exchange iirc, so Exchange users my need a different solution.
hth someone,
J.

[Q] Keep contacts and calendar offline (and backup them to dropbox)

Hi. First of all I'd apologize twice: once for me english the other for the probably noobish question. Now let's see if you can help me with my problem.
I have just got a samsung galaxy s (after some flashes, it now has android 2.2.1). I temporary imported my old phone contacts to gmail. Now I wanna import those contacs to the phone but not through syncing since, after having imported them, i want to delete them from google contacts and avoid the phone to sync the contacts again (for security reasons I dont feel comfortable leaving so much info on the email account). I'm not sure how to do that.
I'm also nor very sure how the stock calendar works. If I have a facebook/google accounts, does it sync with them?
In short, I want to know how to maintain my contacts/appointments only on my phone, but leting other fucntions (like syncing emails) keep working as normal.
Also I want to ask other thing. I used to use PIMBackup on my windows mobile phone. I'd like to know if there is a similar app for android. My idea is ti let the app do sheduled backups of contacts,appointments... and if possible, upload them to Dropbox.
google is not free
you use their software
they sell your personal data

[Q] How to STOP wp7 mango synching contacts and calendar

I can see advantages and also disadvantages of synching my phone to the windows live cloud, but would definitely like my Live environment cleaned up and tidy instead of synched with all the mess i like to make in my phone contacts and phone calendar
Anyway, if in the calendar i decide to hide my Live id from the calendar, it doesn't allow me to make new 'phone-only' appointments. Every note i write immediately synchs with Live and even turns the Live id on for calendar when i write a new one. From a synchronization point of view that is wonderful, everything always in sync. I notice a lot of people who benefit of being online everyday and everywhere. But,
I would like to keep my phone calendar as phone-only. Is there a way to do so, and how?
please point me in the right directon if this is not the most appropriate place for this question
1) I really doubt on the Offline Calendar.
2) For the first live id you use on WP, becomes primary for everything including calendar. And the calendar does not have uncheck option to stop it from syncing.
3) Hiding only hides it from calendar doesn't let it stop syncing. If you want to stop syncing you need to go to Settings > Email and then choose individually for every account
Yes that was my conclusion as well. Strange how suddenly everything is online. I loved Nokia for its mobile phone solutions but since wp7 is their new OS I think Microsoft has taken over. I just hate default settings that you cannot change, and miss the manual sync with pc suite and so on. And even though the data is stored in the cloud, one can't send much over Bluetooth. Modern age, but features existing since the stone age are missing.
The Only solution which I see is Resetting the phone and do not use any Live Id with it. Instead use all other Gmail Account. Then you might get an option, I am guessing here though. I will confirm this when I next reset my phone once I back it up
Thanks in advance, let me know how that works. If you'd use your Gmail account, I guess that would lock you out on marketplace, correct?
Settings --> accounts --> Select account --> uncheck what you dont want synced

[Q] Google oriented services?

Hi all,
I have been Android user for about 2-3 years and have own Google Apps domain and services.
I am really liking Nokia Lumia 800, one of reasons also is that I am Windows developer and using Windows Phone makes sense for me, as I can support Windows Phone as well.
What I am worried is how to use Google services on WP7.5. How do you sync contacts with Google Apps, IMAP emails, calendar? Most used services right now on my phone.
1. Is there a live contacts update as android? Or just plain CSV import/export?
2. IMAP? Works well with labes as well? I have around 40-50 labels for different companies
3. Calendar sync? Same as #1?
Or is this phone primarily aimed at MS services like exchange, skydrive and others and if I want to keep google apps I should just stick to android.
Thank you for your opinions.
From what I heard, Google users with windows phone don't have any problems with syncing, although the only drawback is that multiple calendars aren't support yet, but can be done by adding multiple Google accounts (seems pointless).
Since you are a windows developer, you can use your primary live ID to windows phone to use microsoft services, and add your google account with the stuff you already have such as contacts, calendar, email. For cloud storage, the default will obviously be skydrive (7GB).
About the first question, if you are talking about Google+, then no, windows phone only shows contact updates from twitter, facebook and linkedin.
Google mail, contacts, and calendar sync seamlessly with wp 7.5. Also govoice works perfect for Google voice. I've had NO issues bringing my Google services over as I develop for windows also. I have an HTC radar I use along with my SGSII. I also have been with Android since Android 1.5 and found using windows phone fun. Good luck with your decision.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Multiple calendars are supported
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1537814
WP7 comes with a built-in template for Google accounts. By default, these sync calendar, mail and contacts, and they all sync automatically in real-time (or on a polling schedule, if you're concerned about the battery usage).
I believe it actually uses Google's implementation of ActiveSync (like Exchange) since that handles the various features under one protocol. You can certainly use IMAP as well, if you want to for some reason. Note that under both IMAP and EAS, Gmail will pretend your labels are folders. You can sync multiple folders just fine, and pin specific folders for one-click access.
That said, Android definitely has better support for Google stuff, unsurprisingly. The hardware search button goes to Bing. The phone offers integration with SkyDrive but not Google Drive, and Sharepoint but not Google Docs (although you may be able to use Google Docs via the browser; I haven't tried). Google+ works in the browser but is completely absent from the integrated social networking features. There are many third-party apps that support Google Talk quite well, but only the Facebook and Live mesaging networks are built into the phone.
Thank you all for responses.
I dont really care for Google+, Google Talk would be good (someone pointed that there is app already for it).
So it means that if I delete contact on WP7.5 it will immediately actualize Google App servers and contacts will be deleted for all other devices as well, right? Same for calendar (I use only one, no problem).
Are there any things I should be aware of? Mass storare is not much problem, what about car navigation? alternative to google my tracks?
Thanks.
The OS has a built-in navigation feature, but it's... limited (some would say crippled). It won't tell you as a turn approaches, or where to go next in general, unless you tap the screen.
There are plenty of navigation apps, though. I am, however, unfamiliar with "my tracks" so I'm not sure cow that compares.
feronovak said:
Thank you all for responses.
I dont really care for Google+, Google Talk would be good (someone pointed that there is app already for it).
So it means that if I delete contact on WP7.5 it will immediately actualize Google App servers and contacts will be deleted for all other devices as well, right? Same for calendar (I use only one, no problem).
Are there any things I should be aware of? Mass storare is not much problem, what about car navigation? alternative to google my tracks?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, WP7 immediately (or atleast within a few minutes) updates your Google calendar and contacts.

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