Android Apps the Provide Contact/Calendar Integration... - EVO 4G Themes and Apps

One of the sorely (and inexplicably) missing features of Android is the ability to seamlessly integrate Contacts w/ Calendar and vice versa. What I mean is to be able to create a Calendar Event and automatically add People to it, creating a link which may be accessed at a future date.
So far, I am aware of only two Market Apps which provide this functionality, although neither is perfect:
DejaOffice
Contact Event
Is anyone aware of others? I don't mind paid apps if they actually work.
P.S., Windows Mobile 7 does this seamlessly. Have no idea why Google refuses to. I say "refuses" because the integration would be so simple they MUST be leaving it out on purpose for reasons known only to them.

Related

[APP] Due Today Todo/Project Manager

I generally try not to post notifications about my software in other forums, but if anyone is interested, I've created a new todo/project manager for Android 1.5 and later.
If you're interested, please look here:
http://forum.lakeridgesoftware.com/showthread.php?t=16270
Thanks!
looks very nice and GTDish.
but if it doesn't sync to an online service it is pretty worthless for a lot of people.
I for example use toodledo, because I can access it from my Mac at home and from my PC at work...
good luck, anyways, it looks promising.
What if it syncs to a desktop client? Is that worth anything?
of course that helps, but it would still not solve the problem if you can not install apps on your office PC. Thats a problem a lot of folks have due to managed workplaces
So, I've been thinking about this. If I were to set up a ToodleDo sync, some of the extra fields would have to go into the task's notes. Would that be an acceptable alternative?
Very beautiful and promising. I second the need for Toodledo sync, or it will be unusable to a lot of people.
I really liked the looks of it.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
chmckay said:
So, I've been thinking about this. If I were to set up a ToodleDo sync, some of the extra fields would have to go into the task's notes. Would that be an acceptable alternative?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sure. use Toodledoo fields as far as possible, everything else goes into notes.
but what would you save in the notesfield, for example?
I think about developing a GTD app for webOS and am wondering how to do it well myself
Well, after the data is pulled out of the notes field, the remaining text would just be notes. So, those would be placed appropriately (this is when pulling from ToodleDo). When adding to ToodleDo, I would just place the notes after the extra data.
This gets to be a little complex as I have a few options for contexts which have not been added yet (though the fields exist in my database) and ToodleDo doesn't support contexts as anything other than a text string.
Then there's projects vs goals. I would probably go that route as I don't want to make anyone purchase a pro account on ToodleDo.
After doing all this research, I'm still considering using a WebDAV server sync method with a desktop client as I could guarantee that everything would sync properly.
chmckay said:
Well, after the data is pulled out of the notes field, the remaining text would just be notes. So, those would be placed appropriately (this is when pulling from ToodleDo). When adding to ToodleDo, I would just place the notes after the extra data.
This gets to be a little complex as I have a few options for contexts which have not been added yet (though the fields exist in my database) and ToodleDo doesn't support contexts as anything other than a text string.
Then there's projects vs goals. I would probably go that route as I don't want to make anyone purchase a pro account on ToodleDo.
After doing all this research, I'm still considering using a WebDAV server sync method with a desktop client as I could guarantee that everything would sync properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The software expires today right? Any news on the paid version?
arg! I want to try it.
The biggest thing for me in an app like this is,
Hierarchy: ability to make sub-projects/subtasks (why I love todoist.com)
Widget/cal sync: needs to sync to Pure Calendar or Google Cal
Personally I would not want it to sync to ToodleDo unless the sub-project functionality this seems to have (again can't try it, beta's up) is maintained without needing a pro account of ToodleDo (which supports subtasks)
The beta expired at midnight this morning, so I'm quickly finishing a few things.
What I'm doing right now is adding a few things that make sense with the ToodleDo sync. And, I'm making a few underlying database changes that you shouldn't see if you were using a previous version. Again, this is in anticipation of the ToodleDo sync. The sync won't be available until I release it for the market.
@Hepæstus:
TaskIt has projects and subprojects. Each project and subproject can have an unlimited number of tasks. In the Today view, though, you will only see the tasks. So, when a project comes due, all of its tasks will be added to the Today view (including any subproject's tasks). When you complete the last task, it will mark the project as complete.
As for the syncing, I don't want to make people get a ToodleDo pro account, so I'm setting things up a little differently. The ToodleDo sync will be more of a hack in that the tasks will sync, but any fields unsupported by ToodleDo will be added to the notes field. Projects will be synced with ToodleDo's goals. I know it's not perfect, but I originally designed this app to be synced with a forthcoming desktop client, not an existing web service, so I have a few features that are not supported by either Remember the Milk or ToodleDo.
I forgot to mention that yes, there is a widget. Also, the update will be available later today.
Version 0.9.5 is now up. You can check it out here:
http://forum.lakeridgesoftware.com/showthread.php?t=16286
Hey chmckay, can you see the possibility of syncing with http://my.gtdify.com/ as well? I like the idea of a desktop client, but if I can access my stuff anywhere, that would be even more awesome. I'm eagerly anticipating a paid version.
I'll take a look at that site and see if they have any syncing capabilities.
Instead of using one of those thausands of webservice that offer a gtd-like project/todo-management I would really prefer a sync to my own webspace.
Combined with a simple webinterface, like the one from "Tracks" (which is the base for my.gtdify.com) or MonkeyGTD/mGSD (Tiddlywiki, a dynamic html-File mgsd.tiddlyspot.com).
That would really be great!
@spaboleo:
That was the basis of my wanting to sync to a desktop client: so that you own your data.
However, because very few people are interested in that, I'm looking into ToodleDo and Tracks. Tracks is interesting because you can host it yourself, so that's a plus.
When the desktop client is ready, TaskIt will also have WebDAV syncing so you can sync to your own server and be in full control of your own data.
Ah, ok
I thought that by "desktop client" you ment something like an installable piece of software...which in case would be okay if there is a webclient/webserver-version.
Maybe the installation could be obsolete too by using a portable client.
anyway...thank you for your effort!
sounds really promising!
Actually, I do intend to create an installable desktop client. The WebDAV sync is so that your data doesn't sync via someone else's servers.
The Tracks/GTDify and ToodleDo sync are for those who want web only.
Of course I can only speak for myself, but 70% the software I use is portable and placed on my thumbdrive (even browsers, mail-clients, IM-Tools etc.).
The other 30% include exclusivly larger suites like Office, Graphic-Programs or CAD-Tools.
Mostly an installtion is not really required if you include saved userfiles directly into the programmfolder.
For the less experienced users you could offer a installable version.
But, I would appreciate a ziped version that I can carry around on my thumbdrive, without the need to "make it portable by myself" ;D
I think I'm not the only that prefers portable software.
Best wishes

Android PIM shortcomings

After living with my first Android phone (SE X10a) for about a month I have developed a love/hate relationship with it.
I love the speed of the phone (compared to my old Fuze and Kaiser) and the large display.
What I miss is the ability of the device to work effectively as a phone/PIM.
The phone dialer is not predictive.
Any sync method I try butchers my contacts, creating duplicates and cross-linking entries. Android OS just hates Outlook data.
Simply put, the phone is pretty but not something that I would count on in a mission critical situation that depended on synchronization with a computer. Until someone comes up with a true synchronization program and a way to use the synchronized data effectively on the phone, this platform will fail to gain the foothold its lightweight OS deserves.
If I could program beyond "Hello World" I would tackle this project and create what I need. We have some very talented programmers on these forums. Is this not a problem that they face as well? Or am I all alone in my Quixotic quest for a simplified dialer and common databases for contacts and calendar items?
I have literally tried as many sync configurations as I could find. I don't want a cloud option: many of us cannot use it for security issues and many of us just don't trust Google or SE or whoever offers clouds for intermediate storage/transfer. Now if I could set up my OWN cloud server app on my web account, I would consider that an alternative.
So...I lay down this challenge...for a Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa present, someone PLEASE come up with a working bi-directional sync solution for Outlook and Android. It is 1/2 of the missing link (no pun intended) to making Android a dominant business tool. Add to that a great dialer and calendar app and you have a(n iPhone) killer piece of hardware.

BIG Software Development Opportunity - Thunderbird and Android

Hello
Forgive me if you’ve read this post in other forums…I’m going to keep posting it in the hopes of getting a solution to an ongoing problem.
I’m not a software designer, IT person or expert. Just a business professional that has a few simple needs in order to be personally and professionally successful. Successful management of personal information on our PC and our mobile phones plays a critical role in our success. With the advent of the smartphone, many of us thought our needs had been met, only to discover serious gaps in ability and performance. For example..trying to connect Outlook or Thunderbird/Lightning with an Android Phone (my personal issue) is either difficult, expensive or limited in ability.
Many of us choose Thunderbird/Lightning and other PIMs (such as Outlook) because of the excellent functionality they provide. Some of us are required to by our workplaces. Most of us DO NOT want to use Google products or have our data synced through Google for personal, security or other reasons. Many of us are restricted from using Google by our workplaces for similar reasons.
Then why do we use Android phones? Simple…for smartphones the operating system choices are limited and Android has one of the biggest market presences. These issues exist for other phone platforms as well…connecting Outlook to an iPhone for example. Android is also an excellent phone overall…with many other features we are looking for.
So…what are we looking for? What are these “needs?”
Personal Information Management software in one package (such as Outlook and Thunderbird/Lightning) on our PCs and laptops. Obviously these already exist and don’t need development per se. Corresponding apps for our Android phones…and most importantly: the ability to sync between the two…using wifi, other “cloud” providers, even USB. The components include:
Email client that can access and send from multiple accounts (already fairly available..although many widget and app designers ignore the alternative email apps and only connect Gmail to their products…a serious omission).
Contact/Address lists that include birthday information, other personal details, and can be grouped or categorized. Somewhat available, but can be troublesome, and data can get duplicated or missed. Thunderbird can only sync contacts through Google currently…as mentioned above, and issue for many.
Calendar that can handle reoccurring events, reminders and alarms, categorize/tag events, meeting planning and invitations (through email client), management of multiple calendars and ability to attach documents to events to name some of the most important. Somewhat available now, except most connections require Google calendar (again an issue).
Task Management (the one critical item that has few solutions/options). Needs to handle reoccurring tasks, reminders/alarms, categorizing/tagging, sub-tasks, delegation of tasks, start and due dates, and proper handling of overdue tasks (items not marked complete move to next day with alerts for example). While Outlook and TB/Lightning have excellent task managers...there are very few options for the phones and in the case of Lightning…no phone app that can sync with it.
Notes, not critical but a “nice-to-have” function
All of the above also need to be connectable. For example…connecting a calendar event with related tasks. A task to a contact.
Aren’t there already solutions available?? The answer, after weeks and months of searching and putting products through a test, is “yes and no.” There are a few “connection and sync” products available for Outlook, but the proprietary or available phone apps that can use it don’t have all the functionality needed, or simple aren’t adequate. There are also complications based on the Outlook set-up…stand alone versus exchange server. Currently, I cannot find a product that can sync and use Thunderbird/Lightning directly and adequately.
So, after telling you all of this…what am I trying to say?
To all you enterprising software and Android phone app developers…there is a HUGE gap that you can fill. If you spend any time on forums for Thunderbird, Outlook and Android, you will see that there are literally thousands of people looking for a solution…something to fill this gap. Most of us would pay handsomely for such a product…I personally would pay “serious money” just to get my Lightning tasks in my phone. In addition…both Mozilla and Android are open-source (if I understand the term correctly) and thus available for development.
To the developer or software engineer that can connect Thunderbird/Lightning email, calendar, address book and tasks to an Android phone…go the spoils and riches. Don’t make me beg….or worse, dump my Android for a Windows phone or back to a PDA <shiver>.
To Google and Mozilla leaders, executives and software engineers…we are asking…have been asking for at least two years…for solutions. We are frustrated, disappointed and completely baffled that this has not been addressed. The perception is that both organizations either simple “don’t care”, are oblivious to our plight or unable to respond. Your reputations are at stake ladies and gentlemen.
Thanks for taking the time to read through this. If you’re like me…searching for the answer as well…cross your fingers and spread the word as much as you can. Maybe SOMEBODY will listen.
Presently if you wish to synchronize Thunderbird contacts and Lightning/Sunbird events with your Android device, you may try BirdieSync. BirdieSync has been successfully synchronizing Windows Mobile devices with Thunderbird/Sunbird for several years and now supports Android devices.
You can connect your mobile device over USB or with a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
BirdieSync runs in background on your mobile device and can automatically synchronize your contacts and events if you are connected.
You'll find more information on BirdieSync web site (sorry I cannot post the link: it is forbidden to avoid spam. Look for BirdieSync on Google).
Presently BirdieSync doesn't support task synchronization. The main reason is that for some reason, Android doesn't provide a native task application with a shared local storage that other developers could access. Note that it is also the case for the iPhone contrary to Windows Mobile devices. I think that this lack is a bit weird. I would have thought that a task application would have been used by a lot of users... So it would be necessary to provide a synchronization solution with other opened third party task applications, but it would force users to use a particular task application.
Although Android is an opened platform, some technologies (official APIs) are still missing to developers. I hope that with time, more features will be available and that the Android platform will easy the implementation of these functionalities.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for the reply....and the suggestion. Unfortunately I have already tried Birdiesync. It made quite a mess out of my contacts I'm sorry to say.
Additionally, the one part of Lightning (and Outlook) that I can't live without also happens to be the part that even Birdisync doesn't work with...and you guessed it...TASKS. My life would crumble (okay, being a bit melodramatic) without my task lists. Google tasks is a bit of a joke, as far as I'm concerned, and I can't function with it. Lightning has a really great task manager...almost as good as Outlooks and yet nobody has made anything to sync with it. You are correct...the IT professionals I know have said , that unlike calendars and contacts (which have some standards that all software companies work within)...everybody treats tasks and task software differently.
I'm with you...I'm stunned that this has been ignored and people aren't more vocal about it. I think most people figure "why say anything, it won't help" and just make do.
Thanks again...
my task solution
I like ASTRID as my task list in Android. I sync that with google tasks which I know you cannot use and does not natively go into thunderbird / lighting calendar (though I have a thunderbrowse tab that goes right to google tasks, again clunky at best). I share your desire for a seamless solution. However, ASTRID also syncs with Producteev, which has just roled out more robust Task sharing and more functionality. I'm going to look at that to try and fill the gap and invite you to look with me.
Once again, smart people, I could have written this original post, though maybe not so clearly... HELP!

[Q] App for sharing task / to-do lists with another person?

I have been looking for a simple task / to-do list app that will let me share lists with other people, so that we can both edit and sync the same list. My partner and I both have smartphones and want to share shopping lists etc. I have tried a few apps, but always run into problems it seems. For instance:
GTasks - constantly recreated and duplicated items on the list that one person had checked off. Even if only one person made changes to the list and the other only synced to those changes, the app still made lots of errors. A limitation of Google task API maybe?
Astrid - to be fair, I haven't tried sharing a task list with my partner yet, but that's because Astrid can't even keep my own task lists straight without randomly adding or removing tasks. The "Astrid.com" sync in particular seems terribly buggy. The app is hopeless.
Is anyone successfully using an app to share lists between people and not getting this kind of random rubbish and list corruption? Seems like a simple and easy thing to want to do!
I haven't tried this but it claims to do what you want.
http://market.android.com/details?id=com.fivefly.android.shoppinglist
I was sceptical when I saw the link, but this app is actually rather good. It is very much shopping-oriented, but you can use it for regular to-do lists as well. And the syncing so far seems to be working well. Hooray!
The best app for document sharing that I find useful is Google Docs. Docs pretty much integrates all your systems and can be shared with different groups. I also found that Evernote is a good app for this. However, I have not yet used Evernote on an Android based phone. Only with Windows and Apple based phones.
cryptision said:
The best app for document sharing that I find useful is Google Docs. Docs pretty much integrates all your systems and can be shared with different groups. I also found that Evernote is a good app for this. However, I have not yet used Evernote on an Android based phone. Only with Windows and Apple based phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Docs and Evernote are both fine programs, but neither works without an always-on data connection, and I don't have one (Evernote Premium does I believe, but I don't want to pay for an app before I can test that it does what I want). Guess I should have mentioned that in my first post

Can you migrate Authenticator app data to new phone?

I'm planning on getting a new phone in the next few months. I'm a windows 10 hold out. One of the main reasons holding me back besides finances right now, is the microsoft authenticator app, which I use very heavily for personal and work. I probably have over 20 accounts setup.
I know I will have to disable and setup TFA again for all those accounts on on a new app with whatever device I ultimately end up with. But I'm wondering. In the future going from android to android device, is there an easier way to migrate authenticator apps?
I've never used the Microsoft app but I think it uses a standard method similar to Google Authenticator and others:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time-based_One-time_Password_algorithm
You might be able, somehow, to export the secret key and other parameters (these could be common defaults).
But I bet apps don't allow that easily in order to protect it from unintended disclosure.
Maybe there's a way to sync to an online Microsoft account, and from there sync the new phone? Microsoft Authenticator is available also on Android.
What I do when adding the info for a new account is write down the secret key, and any other parameters, in a password manager. From there they can be entered into other apps, or used directly.
hkjo said:
I've never used the Microsoft app but I think it uses a standard method similar to Google Authenticator and others:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time-based_One-time_Password_algorithm
You might be able, somehow, to export the secret key and other parameters (these could be common defaults).
But I bet apps don't allow that easily in order to protect it from unintended disclosure.
Maybe there's a way to sync to an online Microsoft account, and from there sync the new phone? Microsoft Authenticator is available also on Android.
What I do when adding the info for a new account is write down the secret key, and any other parameters, in a password manager. From there they can be entered into other apps, or used directly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it uses the same method as the Google app. I don't have any loyalty to the Microsoft app, that's just what was available for me on Windows. But sadly, no they don't have any MSA sync feature, otherwise I would gladly keep using the Microsoft app on when I do make the switch. I do jot down the secret key or the extra one use passwords when available, but there are several that don't offer one and you just take a picture of the QR code. Or at least, I didn't notice it.
But mainly my question is: Is there an authenticator app, be it google or some other brand that will actually migrate the TFA stuff from device to device. I've gotten so used to using TFA but now that I have so many accounts, it's a task I dread, having to deactivate and reactivate TFA just because I need to upgrade my device.
Here's one password manager that's supposed to support TOTP:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=keepass2android.keepass2android
It's probably more complex to use than stuff like MS/Google Authenticator.
A short search on the web suggests even Google Authenticator doesn't have a simple way to export/import or sync across devices.
But there are other suggestions here:
https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/63252/how-do-i-back-up-google-authenticator

Categories

Resources