iPhone, iPad, iPod Forums at iMore.com

[emjayess]

[UPDATE: to anyone coming to this thread for the first time: this odyssey begins with trying to sync Outlook to the iPhone and covers a good portion of that area; if that's your situation, I think you'll learn a few things that might be helpful. However, I eventually settled on buying a Mac and then had to figure out how to convert Outlook files to the Mac, which was another problem; I did find solutions and third-party software that worked. Good luck!]

Hello TiPb!

I just bought my first iPhone today, the 4S. I am trying to figure out the best way to sync Outlook 2010.

Previously, I have used CompanionLink to sync Outlook to Google, then my old device synced to Google for Calendar and Contacts and directly to a variety of e-mail accounts etc. I set the device to delete e-mail when deleted from the server.

So, I'm trying to understand iCloud and whether or not I need to use CompanionLink (and whether I need to upgrade CL, as well).

I just installed the iCloud control panel on my PC and I have the latest version if iTunes. But I haven't configured the iCloud control panel yet because I'm not sure which is the best option that will give me the best, most complete sync.

Also, I would like to cut the cord to google and not have my data on the web; however, I'm not sure if iCloud control panel sync stores it in the actual iCloud or just does a local sync via Wi-Fi when I am at home.

Thanks for your patience with a rookie!

You related one key preference - to not keep your data "in the cloud". Simple answer - forget iCloud and use CL (upgrade if necessary, maybe "cross grade" is more like it - CL might give you a discount if you tell them you're already an owner an earlier version; they're right across the Willamette River from me, great customer service!).

iCloud is simply a cloud-based network portal/repository, just like Google is with their apps/services.

The only "advantage" I can see for you with iCloud relative to Outlook is iCloud offers CardDAV- and CalDAV-specific formatting the iPhone can take advantage of that Outlook doesn't offer, but that's another whole long story. If you want to avoid cloud-space, CL/DejaOffice/Outlook is a great solution for iOS - but make sure you have the updated/latest version of CL!!!!!

[emjayess]

Thanks, bonesb, for your quick reply!

Yes, I prefer to keep the data out of the cloud, just wasn't sure if there's a difference between iCloud services on the phone and iCloud control panel etc. I'll check out how much it'll cost me to upgrade CL.

What else can I do with the iCloud control panel, i.e., should I just uninstall it if I'm not syncing Outlook?

[laslo]

Not sure whay your objection with ICloud is? I use it completely now and cut the cord. Just set up what you want to synch in ITunes. For Outlook got to the ITunes Info panel and check what you want to synch. On the summary page check Backup to Icloud. Also adjust you ICloud control panel settings and you will be good to go. All your devices will then be in synch.

[emjayess]

Thanks, laslo, I think you might have a point.

After purchasing CompanionLink for Outlook earlier today (my old version was for Google, so it cost me $35 with the Thanksgiving discount), I was able to sync my Outlook data, but there was a catch:

I had to download the free app bonesb mentioned, DejaOffice. The problem is, these are separate office apps and do not integrate with the iPhone stock apps; therefore, no caller ID info comes up with calls and I cannot send a text message easily by just typing a name or launching a text from a contact, e.g., I had to type my wife's phone number in to send a text! The DejaOffice calendar doesn't look as nice as the iPhone stock calendar, either--although I might be mistaken given I haven't used the stock app yet.

You also have to open DejaOffice from the app launcher page to get at the individual office apps, adding a step which is annoying.

Due to the fact I'm coming from 2 1/2 years of webOS and synergy, you might say I'm a bit frustrated!

O.K., so, what am I missing here? I guess I can use iCloud if I can get all my contacts to sync and seamlessly use the phone and messages etc., but I want to check to see if I'm missing something with DejaOffice and CompanionLink and make use of the #35...

Thanks again for helping clue me in with the new platform!

[emjayess]

O.K., so I tried both methods and they both worked....sort of.

The DejaOffice app has my data and, as I mentioned above, it requires an extra tap.

I was also able to sync Outlook to stock apps via the iCloud control panel; however, at the end of the sync, the app hangs and Windows tries to diagnose it, but cannot and I must close the app before it indicates it's finished. I did this twice. The 4S has the data, but I'm not sure yet if it has all of it due to the fact iCloud Control panel didn't finish. It also doesn't seem to want to sync the photos.

I also figured out the search function on the far left launch page with can quickly find a contact and begin various operations, so I'm very happy about that--reminds me of "Just Type" in webOS. The stock contact app is better than DejaOffice's, too.

So, a few questions:

I don't see any notes in the stock apps--where do Outlook Notes go? They did show up in the DejaOffice app.

I really like the fact that DejaOffice calendar keeps my color categories for events from Outlook. The stock calendar does not. Is there a way to get it to do so?

Are there other advantages and/or disadvantages to using the DejaOffice apps instead of the stock Office apps? I'm leaning toward the stock apps, but I'm so green, I'd like to get the opinions of experienced iPhone owners etc.

Finally, how do I get the mail app to delete e-mails once I open Outlook and the e-mails download to the PC? My webOS Pre would do this and it was great not having to delete them one-by-one on the device.

By the way, iTunes synced the music I wanted on the iPhone seamlessly and I'm really looking forward to seeing how much better it works than my iPod Classic! I'll still use the classic due to the massive storage of 160GB, but I'm really tired of the control wheel. (But I need a case for the iPhone now!)

Thank you!

[emjayess]

I opened iCloud today and ran it again. Then it DELETED all my Outlook Calendar events and my contacts on my PC!

Fortunately, it saved a new calendar in Outlook called iCloud Calendar. Everything is still intact on the stock calendar on the iPhone.

So, how do I restore the Calendar to it's original spot in Outlook? I should note that the new iCloud calendar in Outlook is MISSING EVENTS!! Therefore, the "overlay" of calendar feature is not good enough. I want the original back--from iPHone back to Outlook?

Worse comes to worse, I have a backup of Outlook that I did on Wednesday, but I'd rather avoid that because it will likely produce duplicates of e-mails or something.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by emjayess

Thanks, bonesb, for your quick reply!

Yes, I prefer to keep the data out of the cloud, just wasn't sure if there's a difference between iCloud services on the phone and iCloud control panel etc. I'll check out how much it'll cost me to upgrade CL.

What else can I do with the iCloud control panel, i.e., should I just uninstall it if I'm not syncing Outlook?

You are welcome, sorry for not getting back to you sooner, had to travel a few hundred miles to have dinner with mom and friends for the holiday, more friends just showed up with a bottle of Bushmills 16-year (Bushmills is a wonderful town - yes, I've been there a few times!) and the shot glasses are being broken out...

Short version, I'll revisit this tomorrow - there is a huge difference in iCloud-related data and Outlook-related data. For some reason, every single one of my clients don't get that Outlook is a PIM (personal information manager) - and the way Outlook stores and transfers data is different than every other PIM, and iCloud and Outlook (Mac and Windows versions, both of which I use) have a subset of data types they share/use. I extoll the use of one platform only for my clients - which reduces the number of callbacks, wasted trips, and - most importantly - unhappy clients. I do use iCloud, Exchange, Google Apps, and Outlook - BUT - I keep OS and platform environments mutually exclusive. I have a few friends that mix Outlook (Windows) with iCloud, and they're not happy. Outlook isn't built for iCloud, and vice versa - Outlook is built for Exchange Server and standalone PIM use, the iCloud Control Panel is a "converter" and not a perfect one. Unless you're prepared to pore through your Registry or Console records, just don't do it. If you absolutely must use Outlook and want some online access, consider Hotmail as your cloud platform, and do not edit your contacts/calendars on your iOS device. Outlook has a specific set of data fields, and iOS has a specific set of data fields - and they DO NOT map one-for-one, by design. There will be naysayers that do not agree with me about this, but they do not know what they're writing about. Keep your OS/mobile OS environments separate - this coming from a Mac fanatic (because it's easy-to-use UNIX), but I'm all for not having to waste time editing things like contacts and calendars...

The iOS sees "Outlook Calendar" as your Main Calendar, and doesn't see "Categories" - Apple moved to CalDAV ages ago - a calendaring protocol (CalDAV is NOT a "standard" as so many will blindly tell us) that is very different than how Outlook 2010/2011 work. Outlook notes aren't synched to iOS via the iCloud Control Platform - you're wanting to stay "local" right(?), and each cloud platform has different tie-ins to iOS.

I hear the clinking, so it's time to offer a "Failte" and drink up.

[emjayess]

Wow! Thanks bone-man (I can call you "bone-man," can't I?! <8^p )--that was most enlightening!

O.K., so I think I got it: this whole cross-platform thang is a bad idea. Should have stayed with uber cross platform and tweakable webOS....

Nah. Also a dead platform. (Insert moment of silence here.)

O.K., so Apple's/Jobs' hyper-exclusivity jones can be a pain, I think that's the lesson. A rookie to a new platform always gets a few lessons while gettin' his cherry popped, that's a given. But I forgot that as the siren Siri beckoned. So thanks for the reminder. (Tired of the schtick?! Me too, but it's late and it's all I've got.)

Let's say I'm patient--until Monday, at least, when I'm back driving around the city and seeing clients and I must have a functional smartphone and working calendar and contacts etc.--and I can wait 2 days while we figure this one out.

On the one hand, I do not like DejaOffice (or green eggs and ham), but do you think I must accept it in order to have Outlook syncing with the iPhone? Or: Is there any hope for the iCloud given its potential?

I did a google search and found many folks with the same frustrations (I know, I know--should have done that before I forked over the big bucks and another 2 year Sprint contract.). Some seem to have figured out how to restore their default Outlook calendar, but I'm not sure if anyone found an Outlook/iCloud solution (those threads are long!).

Any ideas now that it's Saturday and you've lubricated your neurons a bit?!

Many thanks!

Originally Posted by emjayess

Wow! Thanks bone-man (I can call you "bone-man," can't I?!

Uh, no. It's a 25 year old nickname, others have tried, and failed. I'm 6'7", 250#, so it's a short laugh when I say no...

Originally Posted by emjayess

O.K., so I think I got it: this whole cross-platform thang is a bad idea. Should have stayed with uber cross platform and tweakable webOS....

Nah. Also a dead platform. (Insert moment of silence here.)

O.K., so Apple's/Jobs' hyper-exclusivity jones can be a pain, I think that's the lesson. A rookie to a new platform always gets a few lessons while gettin' his cherry popped, that's a given. But I forgot that as the siren Siri beckoned. So thanks for the reminder. (Tired of the schtick?! Me too, but it's late and it's all I've got.)

Let's say I'm patient--until Monday, at least, when I'm back driving around the city and seeing clients and I must have a functional smartphone and working calendar and contacts etc.--and I can wait 2 days while we figure this one out.

On the one hand, I do not like DejaOffice (or green eggs and ham), but do you think I must accept it in order to have Outlook syncing with the iPhone? Or: Is there any hope for the iCloud given its potential?

I did a google search and found many folks with the same frustrations (I know, I know--should have done that before I forked over the big bucks and another 2 year Sprint contract.). Some seem to have figured out how to restore their default Outlook calendar, but I'm not sure if anyone found an Outlook/iCloud solution (those threads are long!).

Any ideas now that it's Saturday and you've lubricated your neurons a bit?!

Many thanks!

Looked to see the Mac's still running to check for messages, we're heading back out. WebOS? My Pre+ is sitting on a shelf, Synergy was/is great, but half-baked. Nuff written on Palm.

My suggestion after a couple of shots of Bushmills (not driving) is to use a Live/Hotmail account and the MS Outlook Connector (which doesn't suck). I use two Hotmail accounts (testing for Office 365), and MS has turned on IMAP for iOS along with support for contacts/calendars/reminders - you won't get color mapping and multiple alerts for calendars, but I think that Live support isn't that bad for iOS so far.

OK, the limo is here...