Auto-Synch via USB

[The Merg]

I am looking at going to the Droid, but have reservations due to my usage of Outlook. It appears that CL will solve that issue. I do have one question (for now) though. On the website, it states that you need to go into the CL app and tell to synch and then when it is done you have to acknowledge that. Is there anyway the app can automatically perform the synch process whenever it is plugged in via USB similar to how ActiveSync works with PocketPCs/Windows Mobile devices?

Thanks,
Merg

[clcto]

Unforunately, the USB Connection to Android is tenuous. It's not really what Android is designed for, at least not yet. At the moment there is no communication at all. Just mounting the device. So CompanionLink uses that mode. Maybe in a future version Google will add some sort of two-way communication which would allow a closer connection.

Wayland Bruns, CTO
CompanionLink Software, Inc.

[The Merg]

So as I understand it, in order to use the USB synch, I need to use the DejaOffice app on the Droid, correct? But I won't lose any functionality as it automatically synchs the Droid e-mail and calendar with it, correct?

How does it handle synching of e-mails though that I have downloaded via my POP account into Outlook and downloading those same e-mails to the Droid? Will it realize those are the same e-mail and not duplicate them on each device?

Thanks,
Merg

[clcto]

Email is handled differently. Email is not a sync operation as much as it downloads to your phone and your PC, but normally doesn't actually move between them. Check with your carrier on how to set up email.

DejaOffice will synchronize Droid Contacts and Calendar via USB. It also adds apps for Tasks and Notes (Memos).

[Aximtreo]

Mr. Bruns,

Is CL Software privy to the latest 2.2 update coming for the Droid phones? This is the only shortcoming for this platform that I find the most annoying. I just wonder if you can give us any heads up on what CL has coming for 2.2.

Larry Williams
Chandler, AZ

Unforunately, the USB Connection to Android is tenuous. It's not really what Android is designed for, at least not yet. At the moment there is no communication at all. Just mounting the device. So CompanionLink uses that mode. Maybe in a future version Google will add some sort of two-way communication which would allow a closer connection.

Wayland Bruns, CTO
CompanionLink Software, Inc.

[clcto]

Larry, that would be GREAT if developers got a preview. Unfortunately we don't.

However, we are very fast. I've been running 2.2 since last Sunday, and things seem to run fine. Unfortunately 2.2 breaks our "Mount Hack". We had to add "Wait for xx process then hit Ok" it two spots. So with 2.2, USB Sync takes three button taps instead of one. That's a drag and definitely going backward.

I've got some other things I want to look at in 2.2. Whether there is any better Account logic so we don't have to sync to the Google Account. Whether it holds more Contacts in the native Contacts App. Overall, however, I suspect they are not doing work in these directions.

DejaOffice is changing by leaps. Soon there will be Wi-Fi sync which will make mounting obsolete. Eventually we hope to supercede the onboard Contacts list, so the limitations there will not be relevant. Check out DejaOffice Forums for more details. I have a sticky at the top to cover our immediate development path and plans.

[Aximtreo]

Mr. Bruns,

Thanks so much for your quick reply. I must say, you are the first dev to answer any question I have asked and I don't ask many. I am using the USB version now but will definitely upgrade to the WiFi version. Any thoughts on doing if via BT?

Thanks again.

Larry, that would be GREAT if developers got a preview. Unfortunately we don't.

However, we are very fast. I've been running 2.2 since last Sunday, and things seem to run fine. Unfortunately 2.2 breaks our "Mount Hack". We had to add "Wait for xx process then hit Ok" it two spots. So with 2.2, USB Sync takes three button taps instead of one. That's a drag and definitely going backward.

I've got some other things I want to look at in 2.2. Whether there is any better Account logic so we don't have to sync to the Google Account. Whether it holds more Contacts in the native Contacts App. Overall, however, I suspect they are not doing work in these directions.

DejaOffice is changing by leaps. Soon there will be Wi-Fi sync which will make mounting obsolete. Eventually we hope to supercede the onboard Contacts list, so the limitations there will not be relevant. Check out DejaOffice Forums for more details. I have a sticky at the top to cover our immediate development path and plans.

[The Merg]

Larry, that would be GREAT if developers got a preview. Unfortunately we don't.

However, we are very fast. I've been running 2.2 since last Sunday, and things seem to run fine. Unfortunately 2.2 breaks our "Mount Hack". We had to add "Wait for xx process then hit Ok" it two spots. So with 2.2, USB Sync takes three button taps instead of one. That's a drag and definitely going backward.

I've got some other things I want to look at in 2.2. Whether there is any better Account logic so we don't have to sync to the Google Account. Whether it holds more Contacts in the native Contacts App. Overall, however, I suspect they are not doing work in these directions.

DejaOffice is changing by leaps. Soon there will be Wi-Fi sync which will make mounting obsolete. Eventually we hope to supercede the onboard Contacts list, so the limitations there will not be relevant. Check out DejaOffice Forums for more details. I have a sticky at the top to cover our immediate development path and plans.

The USB synch does not need a Google Account to work correct? My understanding was that was a direct synch between the PC with Outlook and the Droid (through DejaOffice). The Wi-Fi synch you refer to, is that also circumventing the Google cloud?

I am trying to perform the synch without the need for a Google account.

Thanks,
Merg

[clcto]

Merg, All Droids need a Google Account. I don't think you can set one up without it.

After setting up, you need to go into your Accounts and Settings, and turn the Sync off. This will insure data you enter on the Droid doesn't go to Google.

That's it! It's just a function of how the device works. All other Smartphones I know of also have some sort of background account; BlackBerry, Palm Pre, etc. So this is not uncommon.

[The Merg]

Merg, All Droids need a Google Account. I don't think you can set one up without it.

After setting up, you need to go into your Accounts and Settings, and turn the Sync off. This will insure data you enter on the Droid doesn't go to Google.

That's it! It's just a function of how the device works. All other Smartphones I know of also have some sort of background account; BlackBerry, Palm Pre, etc. So this is not uncommon.

Sorry. I wasn't clear. I just meant that I don't want anything on my Droid to be synched with the Google account. Your USB synching avoids that, correct? What about your new Wi-Fi synch? Does that rely on the Google cloud to synch?

Thanks,
Merg

P.S. Getting closer to making the move to Droid.