[Q] Using Android phone with desktop Microsoft Outlook - Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]

This question has been raised many times, but I couldn't find a single definite answer. To sync with Outlook there is software like Touchdown (albeit only for MS Exchange) and cloud services like Soocial and Funambol. Now, how do you sync ALL fields in Contacts, for example, if they are not 100% identical with Google? The later lets you name your phone numbers, for example which is impossible in Outlook. I am using Outlook both for business and personal, and it would be very difficult to move away from it, especially as my company uses it for business. However, I find WM 6.5, or Windows Phone 7, or Blackberry not particularly suited for my personal needs. So I bought Optimus 2X, but I have not started using it, because I don't know how to painlessly migrate to it from HTC Touch Diamond 2 with WM 6.5, which is seamlessly integrated with Outlook. I have about 1600 well-organized contacts, many tasks, recurring calendar items, almost all of them with applied custom-made Outlook categories. Filtering and sorting by categories really simplifies things. I am daunted by the task of re-categorizing all of my outlook items by hand. But I need to start using Android somehow AND desktop and laptop versions of MS Outlook with the categories I have set up. What is the least painful way to do it? I can't believe there's only me faced with this problem. Thanks for your help!

I set up my wife's droid with CompanionLink / Google. Don't know about categories or syncing with exchange, as she only uses local outlook. Checkout CompanionLink if you haven't already.

Related

Windows Live contacts not synchronizing with Outlook (but I would like them to!)

I apologise if this is a FAQ - I've searched but only found a single reference to a similar problem. It was in the Trinity forum here and the fix listed didn't help me.
I recently upgraded my Hermes to WM6 with Windows Live version 10.6.0028.1100. I have the synchronize options set to sync email and contacts, merging duplicate contacts.
When I synchronized with Windows Live, it downloaded the email and put the contacts on the phone, but the Live contacts won't synchronize over to Outlook. I would like them to, if possible (unlike most people it seems, from the search results I got) - they did in the previous version of Windows Live that I was using with WM5.
I also tried creating a "Windows Live" contact on the phone itself, and that did not synchronize with Outlook either. Regular contacts do.
Is this a known issue? If anyone is better with the search than I am, I'd be grateful for any assistance.
Edit: I just deleted the Activesync pairing and re-paired, then resynchronized with Windows Live. It deleted all but 5 of my contacts from my Messenger list (the 5 that were new since I updated to the new version of Messenger and that weren't in Outlook) - OUCH!
I just downgraded to 10.6.0026.1400, which I heard could be more stable.
I still have the same issues though - many Live contacts in my phone not synchronising to Outlook on the desktop.
Any ideas?
Have you considered trying Microsoft Outlook Connector on your desktop? This will allow outlook to sync directly with windows live. I have been also looking into ways to sync outlook connector on my desktop with an exchange server so i have true direct-push e-mail along with contact and calendar syncing from windows live. If this appeals to you, let me know and we can start a thread for that!
Best,
MJB
Interesting, thanks for the information, I wasn't aware of Outlook Connector. I might give the latest beta a go if there's no longer a way to synchronise them directly from the phone.
So is the issue with Live contacts not automatically synchronising to Outlook on the desktop expected, then? If so, it must have changed from the earlier pre-WM6 betas.
to the best of my knowledge u need a paid hotmail account for outlook connector
You don't need a paid account for mail and contacts, only for the rest (such as calendar).
Although Outlook (at least 2002 and 2007) lets you synchronize live mail anyway, so that's not much of a bonus.

Master Calendar between two HTC phones

I have exchange 2007 set up with mobile activesync on my two phones. (sprint Titans) One is for myself and other for my wife. We want a single shared calendar between ourselves leaving our email seperated. Activesync won't allow you to sync a shared calendar from what I have found. Ive searched all over a solution to this and becoming frustrated with the lack of options Microsoft gives you. I can't imagine being the only person with this desire. I can see this being very useful in a business enviroment with the ability of everyone to view a master calendar on the go.
Any suggestions?

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?

[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*

Is WindowsPhone for me? Calendar & Exchange Functionality

Hey gang.
I'm asking an honest question.
I used to use a Winmo6 device to run my diary-centric business using Kerio Server for OTA sync of appointments and contacts with my office.
When I migrated to iPhone I knew I would sacrifice the winmo skin with one glance calendar, and might lose some calendar functionality. I've made do since then.
I'm due a new phone. I'm loathe to pay Apple even more money for old rope when I'm sacrificing basic functionality like Exchange Calendar Appointment Categories which no iPhone PIM or Calendar apps appear to support.
I've been playing with Android and found that Touchdown and Moxier both restore this feature to my mobile device.
But WinPho is by far and away the nicest Ui i've seen yet.
Unfortunately the store demo unit that I played with indicated that the calendar app does not allow exchange/outlook categories and the appstore support for third party solutions seems limited.
Can anyone comment on this from their own practical experience and advise me please.
I'd love to think WinPho can win me back, but so disappointed that only Android seems to allow this functionality with its more open system. I'm looking for a business solution, and the best the phone store salesman could offer was "all our smartphones allow you to use Facebook!"
Sent from my HTC Flyer P510e using xda premium
SilverHelmut said:
Hey gang.
I'm asking an honest question.
I used to use a Winmo6 device to run my diary-centric business using Kerio Server for OTA sync of appointments and contacts with my office.
When I migrated to iPhone I knew I would sacrifice the winmo skin with one glance calendar, and might lose some calendar functionality. I've made do since then.
I'm due a new phone. I'm loathe to pay Apple even more money for old rope when I'm sacrificing basic functionality like Exchange Calendar Appointment Categories which no iPhone PIM or Calendar apps appear to support.
I've been playing with Android and found that Touchdown and Moxier both restore this feature to my mobile device.
But WinPho is by far and away the nicest Ui i've seen yet.
Unfortunately the store demo unit that I played with indicated that the calendar app does not allow exchange/outlook categories and the appstore support for third party solutions seems limited.
Can anyone comment on this from their own practical experience and advise me please.
I'd love to think WinPho can win me back, but so disappointed that only Android seems to allow this functionality with its more open system. I'm looking for a business solution, and the best the phone store salesman could offer was "all our smartphones allow you to use Facebook!"
Sent from my HTC Flyer P510e using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This might flame the hard core WP users and trolls but from experience, I have a WP and it's nice; it works good and does what it is supposed but from what you just said I take it that you want actual Phone functionally like on WM or Android. Granted that Outlook is easy to use, it doesn't work quite like it did on WM for one you can kiss plugging it in and using Active Sync good buy because it is not available on WP7. As a matter of fact you can actually kiss about half of your functions that are available on WM. My advice stay with WM as long as you can. WP is not WM you will be at a total lost if you switch.
Here's a good reference of Active Sync abilities of each platform. Windows phone already does most of what people need, more will come with Apollo in Summer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Exchange_ActiveSync_Clients
Ignore Sinister as he knows nothing about exchange.
I actually admin our network and exchange 2010 for our company...
Here is a review that touches on some of the features
http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/27/windows-phone-7-5-mango-review/
It does pretty much everything windows mobile did with exchange + more. The only thing it doesn't do is on device encryption, and show multiple appointments on the lockscreen or live tile (it only shows next but if you click on the live tile it will go right to agenda view by default.
Also not the above post by the person above this shows the policies it suppports. You will note it says attachments no - that means that the admin can't block attachments, not that the email client cannot get it.
Thanks for that.
I'm in the position where, unless I see a feature in action for myself on a demo machine, I don't know if it is really the same thing.
Can someone WITH the device, who syncs an ojtlook calendar via exchange, advise me of the following...
In Outlook2007 I have 10 categories set up and colour coded to help me identify job origins for my subcontracting and to aid billing. I assign my calendar dates such a category.
With iOS cal, and previously Anxroid cal, I can sync exchange, and create appointments, but cannot see or assign categories which means I have to go back to Outlook2007 to fill in the gaps.
With Touchdown on Android I can now not onlt see the categories in Touchdown, but I can use them and assign them to events.
I am hoping that WinPho can also see, display and utilise these Outlook2007 event categories. Is that correct?
Wikipedia entry for Outlook Mobile confirms calendar categories support, but how complete is it?
Sent from my HTC Flyer P510e using xda premium
SilverHelmut said:
Thanks for that.
I'm in the position where, unless I see a feature in action for myself on a demo machine, I don't know if it is really the same thing.
Can someone WITH the device, who syncs an ojtlook calendar via exchange, advise me of the following...
In Outlook2007 I have 10 categories set up and colour coded to help me identify job origins for my subcontracting and to aid billing. I assign my calendar dates such a category.
With iOS cal, and previously Anxroid cal, I can sync exchange, and create appointments, but cannot see or assign categories which means I have to go back to Outlook2007 to fill in the gaps.
With Touchdown on Android I can now not onlt see the categories in Touchdown, but I can use them and assign them to events.
I am hoping that WinPho can also see, display and utilise these Outlook2007 event categories. Is that correct?
Wikipedia entry for Outlook Mobile confirms calendar categories support, but how complete is it?
Sent from my HTC Flyer P510e using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, tested this as i never use categories in exchange. It DOES NOT support the colors for categories.
This review was post no do from pocket now but also says the same as it is now.
"The Calendar is another place you'll probably spend a lot of time since it's important that your smartphone help manage your schedule. A great new feature is support for multiple calendars from different accounts such as Exchange, Windows Live, and Gmail. You can set a different color for each calendar account. Categories do not have their own colors like in Outlook on the desktop. You might also notice that there are only 3 calendar views; Day, Agenda, and Month. Week and Year views are gone. I never really used week view, so I won't miss it"
Now some argue they want week view but if you use exchange you no as well as i that you really can't read week view very well if you have a lot of appointments. Month view shows days you have appointments but they are too small to read and it's really just for seeing if you have anything going on that day and going to the day by clicking on it to read it in full. The agenda view though is great and it supports multiple calendars on the same view ( i have 2, hotmail that i use for personal and exchange). Now each of these are color coded and you choose the color. I think the category you saw was for the contacts and not the calendar. It does have the todo and in settings you can make your tasks show up in the calendar. I also tested categories in todo and it makes no difference. It does however allow you to show the tasks in the calendar if you go to settings and set it to show todo's.
I am thinking most built in apps do not show categories as touchdown was 3rd party.
It also supports out of office assistant and for meetings there is a quick i'm running late button that will send everyone in the meeting a message that you are running late for a meeting.
It also supports searching the GAL in your contacts "search outlook directory" if you don't have a contact locally.
Oh and for categories, i never used colors. instead i, myself usually make it part of the appointment like - Meeting with consumer - billable, or meeting with consumer - non-billable
Reason being in outlook you can search for everything with the word billable or non-billable for reference and it will display all of them as a list. (Nice for printing) with start and end time / date. i don't think that i know of you can show only certain categories. This may or may not work for you though. Just the way i do it.
If you have any other questions with exchange, i'd be glad to answer them truthfully.
oh btw at my office we use outlook 2010 and exchange 2010 so it's not the version of outlook you are using that doesn't do the categories. it's the phone.

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