Comments on: Keeping a Pocket PC, Outlook, Mac iCal, and a Palm in Sync

By: Bruce Keener

Bruce Keener — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:55:28 +0000

Hi Jaquelina,

Back when I had a BlackBerry, the company did not have a Mac sync utility, so I have no direct experience with it (I’ve been using an iPhone for about the past 2 and 1/2 years). But, from looking at BlackBerry’s description of their Mac sync software, it sounds like you would not need to buy any additional software. They claim to be able to sync the BlackBerry to iCal and Address Book, as well as music. Sounds like a good solution to me.

Bruce

By: Jaquelina

Jaquelina — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:47:34 +0000

Hello all, so let me get this straight, I have a Dell with Outlook and a Blackberry for work (the Dell and blackberry sync automatically via the Exchange server), for personal use I have an iPod touch and I am planning to buy a Macbook. So, all I need to sync the other two is install the Blackberry sync program for Mac? (and itunes obviously for the iPod). No need to install Office or Entourage either? (would be nice maybe but not required) since the Mac comes with iCal and so on… I appreciate your help, I do not really want to buy Office for business just because of Outlook and I do not think I’m savvy enough to do partitions and such…

By: Bruce Keener

Bruce Keener — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 18:01:59 +0000

Michael,

Hopefully someone else can come up with a solution that I am not aware of, but it looks to me like you have run into a dead-end because Palm didn’t try to keep up with computer operating system advances (not only the fact that they don’t support OS X 10.6 but also the problems they’ve had with later versions of Windows). This has resulted in sync software companies pretty much dumping support for Palm. As far as I know, Missing Sync is the only company that still supports syncing to the Palm (with a Mac). Windows Mobile devices have a few options, such as SyncMate, mentioned above by Alex. And, since Palm doesn’t support your version of OS X, you would have to settle for syncing with iCal (or Entourage).

If the z22 had WiFi capability, I would suggest exporting all of your z22 data to “the cloud” (Google Calendar, Google Contacts, Toodledo for tasks, etc.) and just using that data on your Macbook Pro, Work PC, and z22. But, absent a WiFi capability, I personally can’t think of any alternatives.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 16:03:47 +0000

At work, we use PC’s exclusively on a Windows XP OS. I use Palm Desktop as my calendar at work and used to sync it with my home PC nightly using a Palm Z22. I just purchased a Macbookpro and would like to instal palm on my mac and sync the two calendars. The palm website says it doesn’t support latest Mac OS and suggests trying the Missing Sync. After reading the frustrations with Missing Sync expressed above, I wondered if there was a better solution. I don’t like Outlook or ICal and would like to continue using Palm

By: Sync up Your Mobile Phone | SYNCING.NET - Sync Outlook and Filesharing

Sync up Your Mobile Phone | SYNCING.NET - Sync Outlook and Filesharing — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:39:18 +0000

[...] the road. Mobile phones are being used as another computer, which makes it even more important keep work-related content on them as current as your laptop and desktop, otherwise you risk being completely out of sync. [...]

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:46:26 +0000

I like SyncMate for synchronizing my Mac and PC or Windows Mobile. (Btw, free version is available:))

SyncMate allows syncing contacts, iCal, different folders with files, Stickies, ToDo’s, bookmarks or notes (entourage and Mail notes), iTunes & Video, iPhoto, mail etc. directly between your Mac and PC or Windows Mobile phone. No need to store data online and sync it after – just connect your Mac to device you’re about to sync and start the synchronization!
Btw, it also syncs your Mac with Nokia, Google account, PSP, USB flash drive, other Macs and online storage!

By: guengerichii

guengerichii — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:58:57 +0000

Thank you for responding Thomas and Bruce. I’m all about saving money so I’ll give Missing Sync a try first.
I’m running Office for Mac (Home & Student version) on my MacBook and I am hoping to load Word documents and possibly Excel on the PDA and make corrections before handing in assignments.

By: Bruce Keener

Bruce Keener — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:05:21 +0000

@guengerichii, Thomas has a really good point … if you are just trying to sync your Palm to your Macbook, and don’t need to sync to Outlook, then The Missing Sync is all you need … I highly recommend checking it out instead of spending a lot of money on Windows and Outlook and VMware.

By: Thomas R. Hall

Thomas R. Hall — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:01:08 +0000

Are you simply wanting to sync your calendar/contacts with a new Mac using the native Mac OS X applications (iCal, Address Book)? If so, you could simply get Missing Sync without the need for Windows at all. It also syncs Word/Excel files over (not sure about PowerPoint). I think the Missing Sync could be worth looking into for what you are wanting to do.

By: guengerichii

guengerichii — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:42:55 +0000

Thank you for the speedy reply!
I will go with the new licensed versions of Windows and Office as I’m it has been a year since switching to the MacBook.
Thanks again.