I am one of those guys that uses Google services for almost everything. One of the most valuable services, for me, is the Calendar. However, keeping it in sync with my Touch Pro is not very easy and although there are some applications to handle the synchronization of calendars, I've not been very happy with them. Also, I have Linux on my laptop, which makes Outlook a little bit hard to use . I believe many people may have the same problems that I have. Having this in mind, I've started the development of a little application that shows the google calendar on the Touch Pro. I've included some screenshots of it.
What I would like to ask you is if this application would interest anyone or if I am already reinventing the wheel and there are better applications already done for the same purpose.
I've also attached the application. Remember that it is in the starting phase and right now only shows the events of the default calendar (except All-day events). If the response is favorable I will add the ability to view multiple calendars, to edit, add and remove events and to notify the user as the "reminder" settings of the events specify (right now I let Google send me a SMS, so it is not that important to me). I have not made an installer yet, so to try the application just unzip it to someplace in your raphael and run the executable (with File Explorer, for instance).
As it is, the application will not store or modify any data in your phone, except storing your username (and optionally your password) in the registry (key HKCU\Software\GooMobiCal).
So, what do you think? Should I continue to develop it? Do you have any other (better) option?
Marco
This looks great. Although I'd like to just see Google Calendar work with the calendar built into the phone. Like it did on my blackberry.
i'm with cladeus101. i would love for gCal to work with the existing calendar on the phone.
but then, i also think that the existing WinMo calendar looks ugly. i like the gCal look more. heh
This app is pretty awesome though! I would love to see the new features you mentioned.
cladeus101 said:
This looks great. Although I'd like to just see Google Calendar work with the calendar built into the phone. Like it did on my blackberry.
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You can use Google .net API to this this. There are some interessting opensource sync tools out there, but the developer stopped developing them Oh and there is no need for a PC to sync!
Yes I use google calendar but I've just been opening it in Opera. Which is fine but if there was something better...
Hi !
Nice application, that is promising.
Maybe that using Mobile Outlook with Google Calendar API will be also a great interesting alternative. (I am using a Mac). Online Google Calendar Synchronization with Mobile Outlook can be so great.
However, If it is too difficult, your application is in the good way. Please continue .
faeArai said:
You can use Google .net API to this this. There are some interessting opensource sync tools out there, but the developer stopped developing them Oh and there is no need for a PC to sync!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to have a tool like the org. "Google Calendar Sync"4Outook but then for the build in Calendar. I'm using Oggsync now and that works more-or-less. It's a paid programm and the licence you pay for, is only valid for one year. (So i use the freeware version)
In de freeware function, the tool does not sync automatically every X-minutes. (And it supports only one calendar, but thats not a big problem to me)
So what i would like for Christmas is a automatic-calendar-sync-tool that syncs all fields in the calendar (and, if possible, syncs more than one calendar. And² if possible syncs the contacts aswell) Djeez, thats a big question for Santa
I'm with the general consensus .. I would really like to see an app that allows me to sync Pocket Outlook calendar with Google calendar, on an automated scheduled occurrence. As already stated, OggSync kind of works, which means I wont pay to purchase it.
The Google calendar is already available on mobiles (http://www.google.com/calendar/m), which I use occasionally, so I'd see little use in this app for myself.
If there is a possability to add appointments and share the agenda I would like to try it.
Also, it would be nice if the password is stored encrypted.
Hope you will develop it, I'm willing to test if you're looking for testers.
I just found this service that might be everything you already want: http://www.goosync.com/
I found something that is free!
This site is in beta, www.nuevasync.com ...let me sync google Calendar AND contacts for free w/activesync on Windows mobile. It's free for now, but it says "beta" so hopefully it won't change.
bosskoffee said:
This site is in beta, www.nuevasync.com ...let me sync google Calendar AND contacts for free w/activesync on Windows mobile. It's free for now, but it says "beta" so hopefully it won't change.
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I'm impressed... That's exactly what my ActiveSync/Mobilitycentre does. I can even select more items to synchonize there, but wait, i won't!
If i am on the road, i cannot synchronize with my laptop So i would like to synchonize the phone just by using a tool (like the Google Calendar Sync) and my UMTS/HSDPA internetconnection.
Not sure what you mean Daneels. That site does let you sync with only your phone and 3G/data connection, no need for a laptop.
Basically you set up the active sync on your phone to sync with their server settings (that mimic an exchange server) and you can config active sync to do that at intervals of 5 min to 4 hours.
So contacts and calendar, from just the phone, using software already on the phone. Seems to work okay for me, though like I said the web page says "beta" so I'm a little nervous about how long it will last.
bosskoffee said:
...let me sync google Calendar AND contacts for free w/activesync on Windows mobile.
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...With activesync... Activesync runs on both the phone and computer. By this i mean, very local even without internet, over bluetooth/usb. So i tought someone has re-invented activesync (is also free for Windows-users). If it is syncing over internet, than it's something different . If it enables the use of activesync over internet, than it is extra interesting!
So perhaps we we're having some miscommunication
Yeah, that's what I'm trying to say, it let me sync Google calendar/contacts over the internet with the phone...no PC/local connection involved! check it out I just hope it's free forever
These are both subscription services... I do not think that we need subscriptions, just a app that does the synchronization directly with Google. Without anybody in the middle.
I would be glad to start something like that... but I was amazed that there is no cheap way to develop for WinMo. Yes, the SDK is free, but you need Visual Studio, which is far far from free...
EnOleEikka said:
These are both subscription services... I do not think that we need subscriptions, just a app that does the synchronization directly with Google. Without anybody in the middle.
I would be glad to start something like that... but I was amazed that there is no cheap way to develop for WinMo. Yes, the SDK is free, but you need Visual Studio, which is far far from free...
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I'd love to see a talented developer coming up with this as well!
please work on this. Taking winmo into a cloud arena is the right direction. Google currently has the best cloud suite out there. This is great. I can not wait to be able to add events. until then those who are interested should use www.jott.com to add events. there is a google calendar plugin.
Version 0.2
Thank you all for your replies. I already knew GooSync, but not the other services, like nuevosync. However, they are either not free or require a third-party to forward my calendar to my ppc. I see no reason to give a third-party access to my own calendar data (Google already knowing my private calendar is enough for me). I was looking for something more direct.
Having not found anything free, I continued to develop my little application and arrived to version 0.2, which now allows viewing multiple calendars simultaneously (including the Outlook calendar) and allows to add new events to those calendars. Synchronization between Google and Outlook is in my to do list, but I prefer to get more familiar with both Outlook and Google APIs before diving into it. Also, there are a lot of little things to do before, such as:
- Remove events;
- Support All-Day events (they are not displayed yet);
- Support Multi-Day events (they are incorrectly displayed so far);
- Allow "Quick Add" events (easy on google calendar, not so easy on Outlook);
- Store the preferences (such as selected calendars) of the application;
- Store locally the google calendar events to access them offline;
- Encrypt the password on the Registry;
- and probably a lot more features and bug corrections.
Anyway, for those who want to check out how it is going, here are some screenshots and the application. As before, you only need to unzip the file to a folder on your PPC and run the GooMobiCal.exe file.
If you try it, please give some feedback on how to improve it and which features you consider more urgent keeping in mind that synchronization will take a while. Also, I'm doing this on my free time, which really isn't much, so the development is not as fast as I'd wish.
Hey folks,
Sorry to post such a 'simple' question, but I can't seem to google up the right words to find what I'm looking for -- and the links I did find didn't give me much personal opinions of different services.
I recently lost Sync options with my work (yay economy and licensing costs).. I loved using Outlook to sync my calender from MS Exchange to my phone... and I could use OWA to enter in my calender events from my computer. It also allowed my calender to survive flashes w/o backups.
I can't survive without my calender syncing, since the change i'm late to work constantly (I used to enter my shifts in OWA w/reminders 2 hours before to make sure I'm moving early enough to get ready & to work on time -- In case I'm watching a movie with the dog and don't notice the time)
I found 2 solutions, but both are around Google's calender, which I'm not super keen on, but could work:
1. Google Calender Mobile Website -- My understanding is it does reminders by SMS(?) and is mostly managed by google -- not the phone.
2. GooSync / OogSync -- Looks like it'll sync right into the phone's native calender -- But I didnt see verification of it syncing with the native calender, and/or if it supports making sure my reminders & other 'extra' information is sync'ed
I don't want to give Microsoft any money for outlook, so what do you all use :-/
Thanks guys, again, sorry for posting this issue without spending 3 hours researching first :-/ but getting a headache from trying to find a solution!
So, My needs:
1) Bi-directional Sync
2) Extra Information (e.g. Reminders) Sync
3) Easy entry/editing of calender info from a computer
Hopes:
4) Can work behind corporate firewalls blocking gmail, yahoo mail, etc.
5) Task Syncing
Thanks guys, love XDA
-Lee
Possible ways to sync
Unfortunately the easiest way would be to sync through outlook.
Though your company may have cut licensing cost ask the IT gurus if your company may have an agreement with MS. It's called Home Use Program (HUP) LINK.
If they do you can buy a full office pack for home use for ~ $20 which is definitely worth doing it. Afterwards simply maintain your contacts at your home PC and sync them through the PC. You may export them out of your office outlook either as PAB or CSV file and import at home. AFAIK this doesn't work with outlook express, you need a full blown office outlook.
You may also look at the link below if this would do it for you.
http://www.tipsfor.us/2008/04/15/sy...ontacts-and-calendar-using-funambol-for-free/
Perhaps you have a friendly IT group. Download the attached file, rename ZIP to PDF and take a look, it may work in your environment.
have you tried mail2web? its outlook (OWA), syncs with your phone (email, contacts, calender, etc..) and you can also manage it on your computer. Best of all, its free http://exchange.mail2web.com/
Hmmm.. with e-mail forwarding from my gmail to this that might actually work out well... save battery life on checking multiple e-mail accounts...
In case someone stumbles on this, link to account setup is: http://services.mail2web.com/Services/exchangesolutions.asp
Took a bit of searchign to find that page, most of their stuff advertises their paid services.... I'll give the free one a try, if I like it I'd be willing to pay (or at least donate) for it
instead of Mail2web try out seven, mail forwarding service. found here, i swear by it, it's been such a good service, you do have to sign up but it remembers you, so if you switch to another phone, ROM, etc your e-mail account(s) will be saved and you can add multiple accounts, and set times for mail forwarding. I'm not sure about contacts, but it asks every time i restart it if i want to import my contacts from g-mail. it's definitely worth a try.
I currently use a web of softwares to organize my IT business but am overwhelmed by what I have created. There has to be something better than the mishmash of programs I am using...
My billing and invoicing is all Quickbooks.
Client contact info is all maintained in Outlook.
To Do Lists are in OneNote.
Client notes are in OneNote/Outlook
Computer Asset info is in OneNote/Visio
Im also using different services from logmein...
You can see why I am in need of advice!
I have seen spiceworks but it is more for an admin of an IT company vs a consultant with many clients and assets belonging to those clients. I have seen a host of products from advent but with so many to choose from Im not sure where to dip in.
Hey, thanks for reading this and taking anytime to reply!
Thresher said:
I currently use a web of softwares to organize my IT business but am overwhelmed by what I have created. There has to be something better than the mishmash of programs I am using...
My billing and invoicing is all Quickbooks.
Client contact info is all maintained in Outlook.
To Do Lists are in OneNote.
Client notes are in OneNote/Outlook
Computer Asset info is in OneNote/Visio
Im also using different services from logmein...
You can see why I am in need of advice!
I have seen spiceworks but it is more for an admin of an IT company vs a consultant with many clients and assets belonging to those clients. I have seen a host of products from advent but with so many to choose from Im not sure where to dip in.
Hey, thanks for reading this and taking anytime to reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check these out.
MS Sharepoint
Citrix
GoToMyPC
GoToMeeting
Having a terminal server to remote into your network to check your notes is important.
Microsoft Exchange for emails
FTP server for files
I use notepad for everything.
I use google docs and exchange calendar and email.
A quick shameless plug... I have been writing my own app for a while now and will need some IT consulting folks to test it.
If you are interested just message me.
Hi,
I recently found that there is an option for adding IM accounts for each contact. While in Edit Contact mode you have the choice to add an IM account (most common ones) for each contact. If you add an IM account you will then have a choice within a contact to start IM chat with that specific person.
My problem is that if I add an Microsoft Live account for one of my friends nothing happens when I try to send a message. E.g There is no application linked to this action.
It works well if I instead use Google Talk, but then that application is installed on the phone.
Since there is no official MSN application available I wonder if there is a way to get this working ? Is there an Motorola app which is not present on my phone? (running custom firmware) or is there a way to link a specific app to that action ? (Ebuddy for example) or how is this intended to be used ?
Been searching the net for an answer without any luck.
// Suzpel
nope, instant messaging from contacts is only avail. for Gtalk.
some extra functionallity comes with the official skype app, (like in facebook or twitter)
but you can mess aound with jabber transports if ur rly interessted, that works quite well for me, but can get complicated too.
there are guides for that out there - if u google "jabber transport gtalk"
justanordinarydude said:
nope, instant messaging from contacts is only avail. for Gtalk.
some extra functionallity comes with the official skype app, (like in facebook or twitter)
but you can mess aound with jabber transports if ur rly interessted, that works quite well for me, but can get complicated too.
there are guides for that out there - if u google "jabber transport gtalk"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I also found out that this has nothing to do with Motorola, since it looks and behaves the same on my Samsung Galaxy. Looks like Google prepared for IM via Contacts but since there are no offical clients (or non official) that integrates with the contacts it doesn't work. Would be good to be able to configure this yourself. Anyway I will stick with Ebuddy which lets me connect to different networks within the same applikation.
// Suzpel
Well, I haven't seen anyone successfully replace the NC contacts app with the generic Android one, but I found something almost as good ... if you're willing to pay.
If you download Touchdown for Exchange from the market (demo version, have to pay to use it for more than 30 days), you can set up your gmail address as an exchange account (login is the full e-mail address, server is m.google.com). It'll sync contacts w/the Exchange server ... and by default, sync those with your "phone's' contact list.
I've tried it, and confirmed autocomplete for contacts now works in gmail.
Some caveats:
* While Touchdown can handle more than one exchange account, it does so with "profiles." You switch between them -- and when you're in one profile, you'll only have access to the contacts from that one. I've got my phone set up with both my personal gmail and my office's google apps account ... so now I'm using Soocial to sync their contacts (non-ideal), and having touchdown just bring down the office stuff.
* You'll want to tweak your e-mail settings to minimize how much data you're having the device get. No need to pull down your inbox again if gmail already is. I have it set not to get message bodies, to sync the minimum amount of days, etc.
* It's a paid app, so you'll have to pony up the cash. And although I'd previously purchased a license key via the market on my phone, I'm not seeing the option for the license key (protected app unsupported by the current market hack?) showing up in the market for my NC. You can also enter a license key, but I'll be trying copying over my valid key from my phone and seeing what happens ...
Nice:
* It handles the calendar well as well ... so no need to bring in the Calendar.apk or CorpCalendar.apk if you don't want to.
Soocial non-ideal
Hi Wordsmith,
Just a quick question why you find Soocial to be non-ideal? I'm part of the Soocial team and we try to listen as much as we can to our users or potential users. Sounds like you are looking for a one stop place to have your address book synced. In what area do you find Soocial lacking now for it to be non-ideal.
Thanks for trying and using Soocial. ;-)
stefanfountain said:
Hi Wordsmith,
Just a quick question why you find Soocial to be non-ideal? I'm part of the Soocial team and we try to listen as much as we can to our users or potential users. Sounds like you are looking for a one stop place to have your address book synced. In what area do you find Soocial lacking now for it to be non-ideal.
Thanks for trying and using Soocial. ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I juist wasn't really looking to have these address books synced in the first place, but I AM looking to access both from my NC, as I do from my Android phone. Since I didn't have a great solution to that, I'm using your product to include all my contacts in both of my address books.
I've used touchdown for about a year now and it's never let me down. Best exchange program hands down. Thanks for the tip to use it to sync Google contacts!
FYI: you can sync only contacts if you choose and the server is m.google.com w/ssl in case anyone needs it.