Wrike and Intermedia to launch ContactSync, Exchange/Outlook sync tool for G1 Android
When you sit down and compare Android to the various mobile platforms, the lack of Outlook/Exchange sync support is one of Android’s most notable deficiencies. Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, S60 and even the iPhone support Microsoft Exchange but not Android. Stepping up to address at least part of this shortcoming in Android are Wrike and Intermedia. These two small companies have collaborated and produced ContactSync, a wireless tool that will sync your phone contacts with the contacts on your Exchange server. This is a relatively basic application at this point offering only one-way syncing from your Exchange server down to your phone. Future versions will be expanded to include full two-way syncing that will merge and not duplicate contacts. We know it won’t knock your socks off as the ultimate Exchange sync tool that propels Android over the top, but you have to give it credit for being an admirable start. Once the G1 is in the hands of the people and demand for Exchange support increases, we expect developers, like Wrike and Intermedia, to step up and give us the full two-way Exchange tool for which will be clamoring.
Tags: Android, contacts, Exchange, G1, microsoft, Sync, T-Mobile
I know that Android is still too new and has not proven itself as a top notch OS but what gets everyone so excited is that it has promise. Here is a perfect example of the power android has being an open OS. The phone isn’t even out in stores yet and developer are working hard on creating apps for it. This solution is still far from being perfect, but how long did it take the Iphone to get anytype of exchange support.
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hopefully they follow with exchange email
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“…and even the iPhone support Microsoft Exchange but not Android.”
So…, when Apple released v1 of the iPhone and said it didn’t need to support Exchange because it’s core audience weren’t businesses but consumers- and didn’t add said support until a year later with v2, that was cool.
Now Google says “The first version of Android isn’t meant for businesses, it’s for consumers, but yeah, it’d be great for it to have Exchange support but we think 3rd party developers could do a really good job with it so we’ll leave it up to them” - which wasn’t even possible with the iPhone until recently - it’s a “notable deficiency”. Nice.
I’m not knocking the iPhone. In fact I think it’s a slick phone with some really cool features, but c’mon.
The G1 hasn’t even been delivered to consumer’s and, as Google predicted, developers are filling the void.
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Would have been better if the OS actually came with the support builtin. All well and good the 3rd party devs stepped in but what about when issues arise, missing features and of course having to pay for the priviledge (didnt see any mention of it being free)when its free on other platforms.
Im not sure what the appeal is of having to scramble around to load 3rd party apps to bring android up to feature parity with other phone OS’s, why not buy a device that already has the funtionality builtin?
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“Im not sure what the appeal is of having to scramble around to load 3rd party apps to bring android up to feature parity with other phone OS’s, why not buy a device that already has the funtionality builtin?”
THe same reason that people love Firefox. you can load the apps you want an not the rest. You are also free to choose the best ones when there are several alternatives. Unlike the Iphone where you are stuck with the default choices.
iPhone V1 was missing alot of things too. And this is only the first Android phone.
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How do you install this software? Since you can’t sync to your desktop?
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There is no active sync tool. From all reports at this point either you download it from the market place via mobile network/Wireless connection or you can mount the phone as a USB device and copy it to a folder on the phone (same as loading music) and install from there.
One complaint is the lack of music syncing. To be honest this isnt a problem as Windows Media Player, Itunes, Song bird and a dozen other tools can sync music to a USB device so can be used in exactly the same manner for this phone.
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I installed directly from the phone, but I can’t get it to work. Keep getting a sync error.
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this is imposible that i cant sync outlook contacts with this G1 ? how can i do? any one can help me
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did you ever get yours to work? i’m struggling with mine now and am getting the sync error
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Outlook Google/G1 sync can be achieved through CompanionLink (endorsed by ZDNet):
http://www.companionlink.com/android
Endorsement: http://blogs.zdnet.com/cell-phones/?p=259
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