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I'd like to syncronise my artemis and HD touch with the contacts & calender data in Outlook. Is this possible using 2 phones? My concern is that things will get missed between syncs because I'm swapping devices frequently i.e update phone with a new contact, sync with PC, outlook should update, plug other phone in, new phone should update? Not sure if it's that simple.
Please let me know your thoughts/suggestions.
Thanks
Feedback please anyone?
i am synchronizing my Outlook with an Athena, HTC HD and Diamond on my laptop and my desktop both with Vista. No problem at all.
Gulioth said:
I'd like to syncronise my artemis and HD touch with the contacts & calender data in Outlook. Is this possible using 2 phones? My concern is that things will get missed between syncs because I'm swapping devices frequently i.e update phone with a new contact, sync with PC, outlook should update, plug other phone in, new phone should update? Not sure if it's that simple.
Please let me know your thoughts/suggestions.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can do this, just make sure you conflict rules are set so outlook wins rather than your mobile.
I sync with a Symbian phone and the Touch HD. No problem provided you do what RetroFlux has said i.e. in conflict rules Outlook is set to win.
Ok thanks - question though...
This is hard to explain but are there are any options within the contact info on the HD that would be useful to keep over the outlook contact info? (i.e. are there any fields in the HD contact data that aren't present in outlook?).
Also if the conflict is set to outlook always wins, does that mean I wouldn't be able to have high res photo's for the contacts? As I've read you can only have low res photo's in outlook.
Ta
Gulioth said:
Ok thanks - question though...
This is hard to explain but are there are any options within the contact info on the HD that would be useful to keep over the outlook contact info? (i.e. are there any fields in the HD contact data that aren't present in outlook?).
Also if the conflict is set to outlook always wins, does that mean I wouldn't be able to have high res photo's for the contacts? As I've read you can only have low res photo's in outlook.
Ta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone? Thanks
Outlook Conflicts
There should be no issue because the conflict will only arise if for example you amend details of a contact on your 1st phone then sync, then further amend details of the same contact with your HTC Touch HD. In that scenario the information picture from the 1st phone sync would overwrite the information on the Touch HD.
I would have thought that the best way to handle the issue you may face is to sync the phone you use with Outlook as soon as you have finished using it and then immediately sync the phone you are about to next use, this will ensure that you always have the most "up to date" information on the phone you are using and minimize loss of data on sync due to conflicts e.g. by changing an appointment on 2 phones before syncing.
Alternatively if you are carrying both phones with you at the same time then you may just want to use only one phone to make all your PIM changes and ensure that this always gets synced first and that this then updates the second phone.
(I hope that this email makes sense).
Best wishes
Kaid
KaidM said:
There should be no issue because the conflict will only arise if for example you amend details of a contact on your 1st phone then sync, then further amend details of the same contact with your HTC Touch HD. In that scenario the information picture from the 1st phone sync would overwrite the information on the Touch HD.
I would have thought that the best way to handle the issue you may face is to sync the phone you use with Outlook as soon as you have finished using it and then immediately sync the phone you are about to next use, this will ensure that you always have the most "up to date" information on the phone you are using and minimize loss of data on sync due to conflicts e.g. by changing an appointment on 2 phones before syncing.
Alternatively if you are carrying both phones with you at the same time then you may just want to use only one phone to make all your PIM changes and ensure that this always gets synced first and that this then updates the second phone.
(I hope that this email makes sense).
Best wishes
Kaid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great indepth reply thanks.
I will maybe use the Artemis as a back up phone to the HD so wouldn't be updating it that often.
I guess I could also potentially create 2 profiles in Outlook, as tinkering with the idea of using the Artemis for work purposes which would allow me to sync personal and work contacts separately on 2 devices. Not sure if that would work though.
Hi,
just wondering if anybody has moved from a Blackberry in a BES environment to
the Android platform with google apps?
How are you finding it??
Thanks
Miek
Hi,
I was formerly using a Blackberry with BES, and switched to the G1 back in October, with my email hosted by Google Apps for Domains.
In general, I'm pretty happy with the G1 as a Blackberry replacement, with a few caveats:
1. The actual emailing experience (i.e. sending and reading email) was definitely slicker with the Blackberry. That being said, I now think a little bit more about the emails I want to respond to on the G1 because it is that little bit less ergonomic, so that is not necessarily a bad thing!
2. I sometimes find it hard to find the particular message in a thread I want in the GMail app on the G1.
3. I miss the ability to add more than one email address - the GMail app only supports a single address and whilst I could use the "standard" email app, I really shouldn't have to.
Other than that, it's been fine and I've no intention of moving back to a BB because the G1 hits a lot more boxes - I did consider a BB Storm, but the lack of WiFi put me off.
Certainly, now that I keep my calendar and contacts on Google, I really see it is a good alternative platform *if* you are prepared to make the switch to Google Apps for Domains.
Regards,
Dave
bb storm would definitely be FAR FAR LESS ergonomic than Dream for emailing due to the crap onscreen keyboard, crap touchscreen (it has a stupid clicker), and lack of physical keyboard. Dream also beats out all other bb's when it comes to long emails due to the larger keyboard and generally better keyboard layout and function. For quick emails, the bb/palmtreo format is more convenient since there's no need to flip the keyboard out, however, droidsans virtual keyboard or the soon-to-be android 1.5 with integrated virtual keyboard takes/will-take up *most* of what the Dream lacks regarding short emails, i.e. virtual keyboard for quick short emails, big physical keyboard for long emails.
foxmeister said:
Hi,
I was formerly using a Blackberry with BES, and switched to the G1 back in October, with my email hosted by Google Apps for Domains.
In general, I'm pretty happy with the G1 as a Blackberry replacement, with a few caveats:
1. The actual emailing experience (i.e. sending and reading email) was definitely slicker with the Blackberry. That being said, I now think a little bit more about the emails I want to respond to on the G1 because it is that little bit less ergonomic, so that is not necessarily a bad thing!
2. I sometimes find it hard to find the particular message in a thread I want in the GMail app on the G1.
3. I miss the ability to add more than one email address - the GMail app only supports a single address and whilst I could use the "standard" email app, I really shouldn't have to.
Other than that, it's been fine and I've no intention of moving back to a BB because the G1 hits a lot more boxes - I did consider a BB Storm, but the lack of WiFi put me off.
Certainly, now that I keep my calendar and contacts on Google, I really see it is a good alternative platform *if* you are prepared to make the switch to Google Apps for Domains.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply Dave,
I already moved my email to google apps for domains a few weeks ago (one less thing to worry about!) so I'm only really using BES for calendar sync now, although I do find notes and tasks useful but I don't think there is any google alternative at the moment?
How did you get along without using the Blackberry "Password Keeper" ? I pretty much have all my passwords, pins etc etc in that app, I think I will miss that!?
Having played with the google calendar application I find it very nice, I like the ability to embed a map in to a appointment by just putting the postcode in the "Where" field, I'm guessing that does not carry over to the G1 calendar?
Cheers
Mike
Dirky said:
Thanks for your reply Dave,
I already moved my email to google apps for domains a few weeks ago (one less thing to worry about!) so I'm only really using BES for calendar sync now, although I do find notes and tasks useful but I don't think there is any google alternative at the moment?
How did you get along without using the Blackberry "Password Keeper" ? I pretty much have all my passwords, pins etc etc in that app, I think I will miss that!?
Having played with the google calendar application I find it very nice, I like the ability to embed a map in to a appointment by just putting the postcode in the "Where" field, I'm guessing that does not carry over to the G1 calendar?
Cheers
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mike,
Personally, I never used the BB Password Keeper, but I notice there are quite a few similar apps available for G1 for free on the Market.
I've just tested to see if the maps pull through to the G1 calendar, and your guess is correct - they don't!
Regards,
Dave
Dirky said:
Thanks for your reply Dave,
I already moved my email to google apps for domains a few weeks ago (one less thing to worry about!) so I'm only really using BES for calendar sync now, although I do find notes and tasks useful but I don't think there is any google alternative at the moment?
How did you get along without using the Blackberry "Password Keeper" ? I pretty much have all my passwords, pins etc etc in that app, I think I will miss that!?
Having played with the google calendar application I find it very nice, I like the ability to embed a map in to a appointment by just putting the postcode in the "Where" field, I'm guessing that does not carry over to the G1 calendar?
Cheers
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use OI Safe it works well and is free on the Market
I want to sync my Outlook information on my PC with the Nexus one and I have heard good news about the HTC sync. Does anyone know if the HTC Sync will work with the Nexus One or does anyone know a better app? Thanks.
scuse me while a LMFAO!!!
No, it won't work with HTC sync. sadly, i don't know of any alternatives. If you are just using it for the first initial sync, then just import your outlook information into your google account and be done with it.
If you need ongoing sync possibilities, then unless anyone else knows something that i don't, then this is not the droid you're looking for.
Thanks, I figured as such.
Nobody has any concern about uploading all these potentially personal and sensitive information into the cloud?
We really trust Google that much?
To sync your calender events you can use this:
http://www.google.com/support/calendar/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=89955
To sync your Outlook contacts, you can set u your Exchange account to sync contacts as well.
I'm not 'afraid' of Google, but I would prefer that my desktop and my device be synced. Contacts, Calendar, etc. I use Outlook, and I was happy when my Hermes was in-sync. I'd definitely like Outlook-Android sync.
-bZj
The days of PC > Device sync are dying a slow and painful death. From MobileMe to Google Sync to Microsoft Exchange & MyPhone, just about every smartphone short of Blackberry wants you to use the 'cloud'. Not like it matters, seeing as how we are already in the Matrix...
This is simply not true - it might be true for end-users, but you can be pretty sure that most companies will not allow "cloud sync" in the forseeable future. They have their own IT infrastructure and IT policies do not allow sharing of corporate data on some 3rd party servers like Google "Cloud".
Google knows that, and that's why they did enable MS Exchange ActiveSync.
However, for many SMEs this does not work, as they do not rely on MS Exchange - their workers rather use desktop outlook accounts.
IMHO this is a very big problem. I am experimenting with few Android sync applications ("Missing Sync", "CompanionLink", etc...) but all of them have some flaws - like no 2-way sync, some proprietary calendar app, etc...
Ivan Dimkovic said:
This is simply not true - it might be true for end-users, but you can be pretty sure that most companies will not allow "cloud sync" in the forseeable future. They have their own IT infrastructure and IT policies do not allow sharing of corporate data on some 3rd party servers like Google "Cloud".
Google knows that, and that's why they did enable MS Exchange ActiveSync.
However, for many SMEs this does not work, as they do not rely on MS Exchange - their workers rather use desktop outlook accounts.
IMHO this is a very big problem. I am experimenting with few Android sync applications ("Missing Sync", "CompanionLink", etc...) but all of them have some flaws - like no 2-way sync, some proprietary calendar app, etc...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried TOUCHDOWN?
TOUCHDOWN? what this? i don't want to import all the contacts to Google, prefer my desktop and device be synced...
I'm on the same boat here. I was very happy with Symbian-iSync/Mac-iPhone ecosystem until I moved to Android/Linux. Open standard support does not exist on this Android/Linux combination.
Talking about open standard, there is Android-SyncML app in the work. It's still an alpha release, so I'm not sure how reliable it is. But this is a good sign. Once Android has SyncML support, then you can sync to whatever platform supporting this protocol.
Google "android-client syncml". (I can't post links)
I think most of us already sold their soul to Google... so yah?! hahahaha
eaglesteve said:
Nobody has any concern about uploading all these potentially personal and sensitive information into the cloud?
We really trust Google that much?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Touch is for an exchange server not to be used with a pop or imap. Would love to get HTC sync to work with my epic. Why hasn't someone came up with a good solution?
Companion Link
I wanted ongoing sync with outlook and was disappointed there's nothing that is good and free for n1. I bought companion link for google and outlook. It was $30 but it works well. So outlook updates google (not the phone directly but you can get it to sync the phone directly) and then the phone syncs with google.
k?
phone <-> cloud <-> desktop
Is how it's meant to work. What bit doesn't?
@Henchman: You saved my life I went around for ages looking for that!
I'm on take two trying to type this without sounding condencending but its hard because some people just dont get it. It often doesnt matter what you want at work. You do your job the way you are told. Many people have to sync with a local version of outlook, the cloud isnt an option and wont be for a long time if ever on third party servers. Got nothing to do with what they want or whats better. Got nothing to do with whether or not you think or I think or anyone thinks outlook sucks. Its a fact of life while going about the job. I have to use two phones because of this and like many I wish android would grow up so it could go out in the daddy world which is dominated by microsoft as far as office software goes. Another thing that wont be changing quickly due to the long term investment in it. And yes, I get that many of you can use it as a work phone. A whole lot of people cant and were talking millions which brings me back to the beginning. Many people cannot use a third party cloud solution and must sync with a local install of outlook for various reasons. OK?
rhedgehog said:
scuse me while a LMFAO!!!
No, it won't work with HTC sync..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Working now
http://android.modaco.com/content/g...nc-on-nexus-one-with-r24-edit-working/#entry0
There's also an updated version available now from HTC.
DirkGently1 said:
Working now
http://android.modaco.com/content/g...nc-on-nexus-one-with-r24-edit-working/#entry0
There's also an updated version available now from HTC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, so the Nexus One works with HTC Sync, and HTC Sync can sync Outlook contacts and calender entries. (http://www.htc.com/www/support.aspx)
Cool.
I've tried Touchdown and other competitors, and like the above posters, I felt Companion Link came the closest. I was very close to buying their license (i called them once and they do allow the $39 license to be used on 3 PCs that you may want to sync your phone with. Eg. Laptop and Desktop).
This *might* lose CompanionLink some customers, but can anyone verify if HTC Sync can sync Tasks and Notes too, like CompanionLink does?
I like CompanionLink for that and their post 3.2 versions seem to be doing it well. The only problems I see that have given me pause to fully purchasing it are:
- Fat thumbs..I still use my Winmo Keyboard phone thus.
- SMS Bug in Android is still not worked out.
- DejaOffice is the front end application for CompanionLink on N1 and in Android, and its not a totally seamless experience with the front end UI integration that Tasks and Calender had in the Windows Mobile environment/desktop/home-screen. (Maybe some widgets might give resolve to that).
That said, Swype skillz + SMS Bug Fix + Widgets vs Dejaoffice, would make Companionlink a winner for me, and would get my money, because theirs no cloud involved.
Couldn't this answer your question?
http://www.android-sync.com/
It's an early build like they say. But it might match what you're looking for.
I was wondering if the general support of DHD under MacOSX, and the practically of it.
Say like I want to sync my iTune songs, iCal event and, Address book with my HTC, will that be a lot of hazzle?
Also, by any chance there are users made their transition from iphone to android? I want to know hows the Contacts management with android compare to the iphone OS?
I am the kind of user that does a lot of texting, emails, has overly crowded schedule on my calendar and take pictures frequently. I was hoping any similar user can share with experience using the DHD, as I am still in deciding if I should get one.
Thanks
just use "Missing Sync for Android"
mymagicmyhero said:
just use "Missing Sync for Android"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked it out before, it seems it has a really poor rating. It is that bad?
Nope I'm very happy with this program. It can make transferring contacts very easy. The contacts are transferring with the picture and all the info. You can also sync calendars and many more things.
Its easy to operate with.
Many thanks for your reply.
I do have another question while on the subject, I assume most of the developer tools here, like S-OFF, radio tool, CWM, CustomROM, etc, are all made for windows platform?
franklin20uk said:
Many thanks for your reply.
I do have another question while on the subject, I assume most of the developer tools here, like S-OFF, radio tool, CWM, CustomROM, etc, are all made for windows platform?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unfortunately yes, they are.
Instead of missing sync I suggest Doubletwist for OS X. It's like iTunes for Android. It even syncs itunes playlists.
Just export your contacts to vCard, then import them in google contacts! about iCal just configure to use google calendar, for iTunes Double Twist
Cheers mate
gunnyman said:
Instead of missing sync I suggest Doubletwist for OS X. It's like iTunes for Android. It even syncs itunes playlists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1.
I own a DHD and an iMac, I use DoubleTwist to sync music.
My address book and iCal are synced with Google Contacts/Calendar and the DHD is synced with my google account.
All the Rooting tools sadly are only for Windows but you can simply use some adb commands for the rooting process.
Amit.W said:
+1.
I own a DHD and an iMac, I use DoubleTwist to sync music.
My address book and iCal are synced with Google Contacts/Calendar and the DHD is synced with my google account.
All the Rooting tools sadly are only for Windows but you can simply use some adb commands for the rooting process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the Google Contacts and Calender synced over the air (wifi/3d) with your android?
I wonder if it is possible to sync my hotmail contacts to the google contacts as well?
Yes, very interesting thread. I am using iPhone 4 now and am considering changing to DHD. I have couple of questions too (especially to those who converted from iP to DHD):
1. Is the phone app and signal better than in iP?
2. Is battery life the same (basically one day) as in iP?
3. From the reviews on UTube I am sensing that navigation/maps are inferior versus the Google Maps for iP. Is it true?
4. Is the system search instant as in iP? How about writing sms or email - when you start typing in the address line, are names appearing instantly?
Thanks in advance!
franklin20uk said:
Many thanks for your reply.
I do have another question while on the subject, I assume most of the developer tools here, like S-OFF, radio tool, CWM, CustomROM, etc, are all made for windows platform?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but a lot of developers , Cyanogen for one, actually use non windows OSes. So there are manual methods of doing S-OFF and root quite easily, also there are cross platform tools such as QtADB which allow you to manage ADB if your not comfortable with CLI
Well for me I had problems with double twist regarding the meta tags. Do all the editing with another program manually.
For copying mp3 files and photos I use my partition, but for roms and basically all other stuff I use my win 7 boot camp partition.
So I can use all the windows exe files and also don't have to eject the drive after copying some new stuff on my sd card
Swyped from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
Amator72 said:
Yes, very interesting thread. I am using iPhone 4 now and am considering changing to DHD. I have couple of questions too (especially to those who converted from iP to DHD):
1. Is the phone app and signal better than in iP?
2. Is battery life the same (basically one day) as in iP?
3. From the reviews on UTube I am sensing that navigation/maps are inferior versus the Google Maps for iP. Is it true?
4. Is the system search instant as in iP? How about writing sms or email - when you start typing in the address line, are names appearing instantly?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if I am right, but reception strength mostly is down to how good your phone network is. Regardless the little incident of the iphone "death grip"
Also, I think we simply cant generalize the battery life of a smartphone base on a few individual cases, because there is so many different things you can do on your smartphone, therefore too many factors to take into account. That being said, I think generally any smartphone that can last a little more then a day is good enough for me, especially when you are around a computer a lot like me. Your phone will hardly die since you are always in the proximity of a charger.
For the Google Maps and GPS function, I would be quite surprise if Google Maps in Android isn't implemented better iPhone. I mean come on, isn't google maps and android made by the same company????
From my observation, I think the Google Search in android is a little better then the standard search in iphone, I could be wrong thou, I would be interested to hear from users with first hand experiences.
Amator72 said:
Yes, very interesting thread. I am using iPhone 4 now and am considering changing to DHD. I have couple of questions too (especially to those who converted from iP to DHD):
1. Is the phone app and signal better than in iP?
2. Is battery life the same (basically one day) as in iP?
3. From the reviews on UTube I am sensing that navigation/maps are inferior versus the Google Maps for iP. Is it true?
4. Is the system search instant as in iP? How about writing sms or email - when you start typing in the address line, are names appearing instantly?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used a I4 for 6 month and now I'm a happy user of a DHD.
1. The signal problem depend on the carrier. I haven't any problem with I4 and it's the same with the DHD.
2. On the beginning, the baterry life is not great but it becomes good after 1 week (1 day but with the I4, I was on 2 day).
3. I used Navigon on I4 and I use the same navigation app on the DHD. The app start more slowly as on the I4 but there is no problem.
4. I doesn't use a lot the search instant. I have no problem with SMS or e-mail writing and the names appear quickly.
Synchronisation with my Mac.
Calendar and Contact : Synchronisation Mac <-> Google <-> DHD. I have before MobileMe. I imported all in Google and activated the synchronisation without any problem.
Itunes, photos, videos, podcast : Salling Media Sync sold on the Mac Store, this sinchronisation is done via USB (faster synchronisation). I have no problem with DHD and the song bought on Itunes. A lot of format are included by HTC.
Thanks a lot! I am starting to consider to wait for the alleged Desire HD2. Is it going to be launched this year indeed? If they launch it that fast this must mean they would be going for fast fixes ver the first version.
faggi said:
Calendar and Contact : Synchronisation Mac <-> Google <-> DHD. I have before MobileMe. I imported all in Google and activated the synchronisation without any problem.
Itunes, photos, videos, podcast : Salling Media Sync sold on the Mac Store, this sinchronisation is done via USB (faster synchronisation). I have no problem with DHD and the song bought on Itunes. A lot of format are included by HTC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a question regarding syncing iCal to Google Calender. It seems then after I added Google Calender to my iCal, all the future events that I add under "Google Calender" will be synced both ways.
However, all my old events previously added in my Home calender still stays offline. Is there a way to solve this? I can't even more my home calenders to Google Cal.
Please help
franklin20uk said:
I have a question regarding syncing iCal to Google Calender. It seems then after I added Google Calender to my iCal, all the future events that I add under "Google Calender" will be synced both ways.
However, all my old events previously added in my Home calender still stays offline. Is there a way to solve this? I can't even more my home calenders to Google Cal.
Please help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before the synchronisation of ICal with google, I imported all my events im Google (do an export of the events on your desktop and after go to google to import it, by this way, you will have a backup of your events). And after that I have done the synchronisation with ICal. When all Events are in ICal, I deleted the old calendar to delete the double events.
Amator72 said:
Yes, very interesting thread. I am using iPhone 4 now and am considering changing to DHD. I have couple of questions too (especially to those who converted from iP to DHD):
1. Is the phone app and signal better than in iP?
2. Is battery life the same (basically one day) as in iP?
3. From the reviews on UTube I am sensing that navigation/maps are inferior versus the Google Maps for iP. Is it true?
4. Is the system search instant as in iP? How about writing sms or email - when you start typing in the address line, are names appearing instantly?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Not noticed a difference between the two
2. Owning both, DHD is definitely worse but you can make it a lot better with a heck of a lot of tweaking so if that float your boat then it could be the same again.
3. No way, DHD wins in this area.
4. Yes, both in address line but also in the universal search like with Spotlight
Calendar as faggi highlighted, do an export from iCal first and then import in Google Calendars and then you can subscribe to it in iCal and it will sync with cloud and phone. However please be aware that if you have multiple calendars it looks rather clumsy in iCal when using Google compared to MobileMe
Contacts synching via Google contacts work well. However for some stupid reason, which as far as I have been able to found out has existed for years now, Google has a habit of compressing photos that you assign to contacts. A real bad thumbs down that is. Then also if you have people with double barreled names, pre/post fix titles Google gets its knickers in a twist also. It tries to be too clever in how it tries to understand where the space is and which part of the name goes well. This was perfect in MobileMe and Google is just messing it up, I've had to change my own name to get it to work.
Music/Video/Photos - Doubletwist is your friend, it works well together with iTunes. Just be aware, yet again Google has half heartedly implemented a standard and for whatever daft reason it doesn't recognise compilation albums using the correct MP3 metadata tags so those albums are really mixed up on the device.
Just don't expect the level of integration like on iOS/OSX/iTunes where if you were watching a movie on say your AppleTV and paused it and then continue on your phone it would be exactly there where you left. Android is rather dumb that way.
But otherwise it is an ok phone.
For the radio flash etc had to open Windows but my Windows 7 image in VMWare did it all perfectly fine. For the rest once you install the sdk in OSX you can do anything via the tools in there.
btw, is there a way to unlock the phone using a Mac, or I have to do it thru windows?
thanks
Hi y'all,
After my EVO died two weeks after contract expired, on top of the original Nexus tablet that slowed to a crawl due to bad memory chips, I swore off the Android devices and went with iOS.
Now, over a year later, I got a shiny new S5 from my employer, with company policy allowing "reasonable" personal use (no 1-900 calls or direct international calls to Timbuktu but otherwise we're allowed to use it for personal calls and data since they have unlimited plans anyway).
So, I plan on giving my iPhone to my son and getting back into Android. I was missing all the customization options, although iOS really grew on me to be honest.
I do have a couple of question, hope someone can help
1) I still own Nova Prime and I much prefer it over the Touchwiz. However, I am unable to find a calendar widget that would show Exchange tasks. I found that the only service that reliably syncs tasks, contacts, and calendar events between Outlook on my work desktop and my home desktop and all of my Android and iOS devices is Hotmail. With Outlook 2013 setting up sync with a Hotmail / Outlook.com calendar / tasks is finally possible and requires no installation of any additional software. So I can finally copy a work email into a task and have it synced to my phone and tablet. But, the only calendar widget on S5 that actually shows these tasks is Mini Today and it seems to only be available in Touch Wiz. I can't install Outlook on Android because it violates company policy (God knows why, since I can set up a EAS account anyway ?). The only other possible solution I can think of may be Pocket Informant but it's $10 and the Android client interface is ugly as hell.
So, do you know of any other screen widget that would show tasks synced from Hotmail account ? Obviously Samsung calendar app shows them even under Nova, but I need a widget that I could glance at without having to start the app.
2) Is there a way to activate voice commands / voice dialing from a Bluetooth headset without having to touch the home button ? It's probably something obvious but I, for the life of me, can't find it. Press and hold on headset button does nothing and double-press redials.
3) The phone came with Otter box case which may as well just have backpack straps attached, it's so ridiculously huge. Can you recommend me a slim case with a clip holster that is sturdy and looks well and most importantly does not allow the phone to easily fall off / get unhooked by accident ?
4) I never had a Samsung before and they seem to have tons of software preinstalled, is most of it bloatware or are some apps actually worth trying ? Any tips appreciated.
Thanks !
Ummagumma said:
Hi y'all,
1) I still own Nova Prime and I much prefer it over the Touchwiz. However, I am unable to find a calendar widget that would show Exchange tasks.
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Click to collapse
I use Event Flow calendar widget. it will sync to your exchange account and show events from outlook. I use outlook at work, and the gmail/google calendar on my personal phone (HTC One), and both calendars show up on my Event Flow agenda widget on the GS5. there are many calendar widgets on the play store though, so you may want to try a few.
2) Is there a way to activate voice commands / voice dialing from a Bluetooth headset without having to touch the home button ? It's probably something obvious but I, for the life of me, can't find it. Press and hold on headset button does nothing and double-press redials.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the google settings -- search and Now -- voice, you can enable the "Ok Google" trigger phrase to start voice recognition feature, and enable it to use your bluetooth mic for input. When you say "Ok Google", it will pull up the voice search app.
3) The phone came with Otter box case which may as well just have backpack straps attached, it's so ridiculously huge. Can you recommend me a slim case with a clip holster that is sturdy and looks well and most importantly does not allow the phone to easily fall off / get unhooked by accident ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've only been using the Diztronic slim rubber cases as of late. they are thin, fit great, and look great, but I don't think they have a clip model.
4) I never had a Samsung before and they seem to have tons of software preinstalled, is most of it bloatware or are some apps actually worth trying ? Any tips appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhh, welcome to the world of samsung bloatware. tons of stuff you probably won't use from samsung and your carrier. here's a tip. go to system settings - applications, and swipe to the "all" screen. from there you can scroll through every app installed on your phone. when you get to one you don't want, tap it, and you'll see an information screen. Most apps that came on the phone have an option to disable them That will freeze the app from the system, but it it won't wipe it out of the phone's storage, so it can be enabled at a later date if you want. I've disabled nearly all the AT&T apps, and quite a few samsung and google apps I don't use.
down the road if you root your phone, you can remove all the system apps you want. but until then, disabling them is the best you can do. The only samsung apps I still have enabled are the TV remote app, music, video, and polaris office.
Thanks !
Unfortunately Event Flow does not show tasks.
I found a few widgets that show Google tasks, but so far only Samsung's Mini Today shows Exchange tasks from Outlook.com.
(..rant..) Given how many people use Outlook at work and at home, and given that Hotmail / Outlook.com is the only service that can sync Outlook emails, calendar, contacts and tasks to an Android or iOS device without having to jump through hoops or install any 3rd party apps on the desktop (a big ordeal and often outright forbidden in many organizations), it is very surprising just how few calendar applications are supporting it. I mean, to sync Outlook to Google Calendar and Tasks you need to buy expensive software and install it; to sync Outlook to Apple you need to install iCloud, which again many companies forbid or block via firewall; to sync Outlook 2013 to Outlook.com you really don't have to do anything but create an account. Yet this seems to be the least supported option, and many programs won't even read Outlook tasks after Android syncs them via EAS account ! WTF.
Hello!
Ummagumma said:
Hi y'all,
4) I never had a Samsung before and they seem to have tons of software preinstalled, is most of it bloatware or are some apps actually worth trying ? Any tips appreciated.
Thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only Samsung apps I use are the camera app, the audio & video players as well as the calendar application. I find that all others have bette free alternative on the market. I stop and disable all other stuff. To see what to stop
I usually use GSam battery monitor. Any application I do not use that drains on the battery, I simply disable it.
The reason for keeping the camera audio and video player is that they might use some samsung specific HW/feature (especially true for camera application) that are not fully standard and may not be available to "replacement application"
JM
Oh, if it is not too late...
You might like WatchON preinstalled application. It's universal remote control on your phone...
I use it to control TV, DVD and set top box.
Thanks !
To be honest, the more I use it, the more the darn phone frustrates me. Don't know if it's Samsung, or I forgot the feel of Android, or I just got too used to iOS. The list below can just be me, and I definitely don't want to get anyone offended. But...
1) Can't access flashlight without unlocking the phone. Something I used to do all the time.
2) Can't access calculator without unlocking the phone. Again, something I was very used to.
3) Can't use Google now without unlocking the phone. It listens but most of time I can't get a reply without unlocking.
4) Voice dialing without unlocking the phone is very spotty.
5) When I ask Google Now to tell me my meetings for tomorrow - something I used to do every day driving back home after work, about the only opportunity I have to sit back and relax and plan my day - it tells me that I have a meeting at 7:30, brings up the list of calendar items on screen, and shuts up. Siri would read them to me.
6) S-Voice stops listening after the first few words. Not always. But very often. I was trying to find some kind of a timeout setting but no luck. It just loses interest and runs with unfinished phone number. At least Google Now listens.
Basically using any voice commands without unlocking the phone is very iffy and unpredictable, especially when also trying to use a headphone. I sorely miss Siri.
6) There's no way to get my Outlook.com tasks show up in Widgets. Samsung Mini Today shows SOME of them - I never quite figure out why it would show some tasks due today and not the others. PI for Android is a terrible fugly monster with greatly reduced functionality when compared to PI IOS. Don't know why they couldn't design it to at least look the same. Outlook app could work but unfortunately we can't use it at work because of security concerns (it stores your credentials on Amazon servers so potentially someone could use them to log into company mail). I used to miss Android widgets when I had the iPhone but at least the ones that were available in the pulldown worked well and showed any info I needed and, again, could be configured to be accessible with phone locked.
7) The quality of video chat using Hangouts is worse than what I was getting on same cell or wifi network, calling the same numbers using Facetime. There's jerkiness and choppiness and every now and then the screen would just freeze for a second. Must be something related to Google servers.
The good - huge screen (compared to my old iPhone), customization, can use SD cards, and I am sure that I will eventually get used to it.
Sorry for the rant...