Sync Outlook to Pre via Google at Launch… 64
We told you way way back in January that there would be a solution to sync your Palm Desktop, Outlook, and other PIM data from the desktop to your Pre via CompanionLink. Now the company, a provider of synchronization solutions, has announced today that they are guaranteeing that standalone Microsoft Outlook users will have a two-way sync solution available when the Palm Pre launches.
The method: Outlook to Google, Google to the Pre. CompanionLink for Google ($29.95) offers a two-way sync solution between Microsoft Outlook and Google, which lets users seamlessly sync their contacts, calendar and tasks to Google.
Gayland Bruns, CEO of CompanionLink Software, noted that during CTIA, the Palm Pre product manager, Tim Pettitt, was demoing the Palm Pre Calendar application and discussing its sync capabilities to Google during CTIA 2009.
Bruns remarked:
“Since CompanionLink already supports Outlook to Google sync, it means Synergy/Outlook users will have the ability to get their desktop contacts and calendar information on their Palm Pre phones on the same day that the Palm Pre launches."
More information is available at www. companionlink.com/google.
64 Comments
Yes, Google Sync does sync with your personal copy of Outlook on your home computer. It does it 2-way, pretty cool. The major flaw with this is that it only syncs the Main Calendar of your Google Account. So, if you have multiple calendars in Google, like me (Bills, Paydays, Birthdays, Events, Holidays) only information on the main calendar will sync into Outlook. And the other way, there is no way to place events from Outlook into one of the secondary calendars. There are tons of feature requests for this out there.
The program mentioned here for $29.00 will sync all calendars, contacts, tasks and so on with all of Outlook and Google, both ways. Very worth the $$$ IMHO.
Someone doesn't pay much attention. It's been known from day 1 that the Pre can sync directly with Exchange servers. This is a solution for people who want to sync desktop Outlook to the Pre, in other words, people who don't have an exchange server.
I've read where folks don't care if Fandango can mark their calendars with Movie Ticket times, I agree. I usually only get tickets on-line if I'm running late and don't want to wait in line.
BUT, think of the possibilities. If someone could make it to where airlines and hotels could do the same. Use your Pre to purchase airline tickets and the information is automatically populated onto your calendar....AWESOME!
I think some of the demos are used just to show us what is possible. I can't wait to get a PRE.
I used the treo for years and have to say that windows mobile wasn't always the best. Having had pda's for 10 years synching with Outlook, I was a little distressed with the changes Palm made.
I looked at companionlink and several others. I researched known issues and reviews. I tried a few of the samples out there. I didn't like how they worked, so I kept looking. I have been impressed with a program called gsyncit. It sells for $15 at www.daveswebsite.com.
There is a trial, so you can try before you buy.
FYI, Google calender synchs both ways with Outlook for free. The contacts and tasks were another issue for me.