Recommend smartphone that synchs well with Outlook 2003?

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I am currently using a Blackberry 9330 and it’s time for an upgrade. I am considering replacing it with either a Samsung Galaxy S4, or an iPhone 5C. I plan to use the mobile device primarily as a phone, and for email, calendar, contacts/address book, memos/notes, and occasionally to access the internet. Connection will 4G if available, and 3G if not. Verizon is my carrier and because of where I live it is my only coverage option.

It is vitally important that I be able to easily sync my smartphone organizer data (calendar, contacts/address book, memos/notes) with the Outlook 2003 on my desktop using a USB cable. I do not want to do any syncing using the internet either through Google or elsewhere in the clouds. I do not plan to sync my emails.

My desktop is running Windows 7, and Office 2003 (including Outlook 2003). I have no interest in upgrading my Office or Outlook application. For years I have been easily and accurately syncing my handheld with my desktop – originally with my Palm and Palm Desktop, and then with my Blackberry and Outlook 2003.

As I said phone service and calendar, contacts/address book, memos/notes syncing are my top priorities. I have researched the smartphone/desktop sync issue for both these phones over the internet and cannot find an appropriate answer to my syncing question that will allow me to feel relatively confident in buying either of these devices.

So am I asking if the iPhone 5C or Samsung Galaxy S4 will work better for me?
• What is your experience in syncing each of these phones?
• Is there any third party software that will accomplish my goals that is worth the investment?
• Is there any other guidance you can offer me in making this decision?

Thank you for any assistance you can provide

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Vic6 – I have a Galaxy S3, though shortly I want to upgrade to an S5; my wife has an iPhone 4S and an iPad. We both use Outlook 2010.

Thus we both have the question of syncing contacts and calendar between the device and the desktop/laptop. I do the “support”, so have become familiar with both. I would not change from the Android; she would not change from the iPhone. However, I have to say that I am very impressed with the iPhone and the iPad combination.

For my sync conduit, I use Android-Sync, the best of a less than stellar line-up if you insist on a route that does not involve sharing all your contacts and calendar with Google (as I do). I really miss the sync capabilities of my Windows Phone 6 with Outlook, but the Windows Phone OS just got left behind by Android and its army of apps.

My wife uses the iCloud Control Panel, which keeps contacts and calendar sync-ed across all three platforms – desktop, iPhone and iPad. Very impressive! I’m often tempted to change. She has no problem in sharing her contacts and calendar with iCloud, you haven’t much option with the Apple devices. I note from forum postings that iCloud probably does not work with Outlook 2003. Sorry to say that you may get backed into the corner of a new version of MS Office.

As they say, other options are available, and others may offer alternative solutions without which THEY could not live, but there’s my two-pennyworth.

Vic6 – where are you from? Do tell us in your profile!

Dell E5570 Latitude, Intel Core i5 6440@2.60 GHz, 8.00 GB - Win 10 Pro

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Vic6 – I have a Galaxy S3, though shortly I want to upgrade to an S5; my wife has an iPhone 4S and an iPad. We both use Outlook 2010.
For my sync conduit, I use Android-Sync, the best of a less than stellar line-up if you insist on a route that does not involve sharing all your contacts and calendar with Google (as I do). I really miss the sync capabilities of my Windows Phone 6 with Outlook, but the Windows Phone OS just got left behind by Android and its army of apps.

@John,

You should check out a new Windows Phone 8.1 device. I have a Lumia 1520 which easily syncs to my personal Microsoft account and my Office 365 work account. I use Office 2013 Pro Plus at home & work. Unless you are an app fanatic you’ll find the ones you want in the Windows phone app store.

Joe

--Joe

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Vic,

I’ve had good luck with Samsung Kies software. HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Retired Geek – Kies must have improved markedly since I tried it, nearly two years ago. It was one of the “less than stellar line-up”.

Dell E5570 Latitude, Intel Core i5 6440@2.60 GHz, 8.00 GB - Win 10 Pro

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I agree with JoeP… I have a Windows 8.1 Lumia Icon. Sync’s beautifully. Full Office Mobile Free too.

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Guys, although I am a Windows Phone user, it’s important to say that Windows Phone does not sync with Outlook itself, it syncs with outlook.com. Of course, if you keep calendar, contacts in Outlook.com (and I think you should), using Windows Phone doesn’t really limit what you can do – if you don’t rely on Outlook tasks and notes, since they have no support in Outlook.com.

Two years ago, with my first Windows Phone, I moved from syncing at the Outlook local level, to syncing to Outlook.com. It wasn’t hard at all, but I did give up on keeping Outlook tasks and notes. I prefer doing it as I do now, as keeping contacts in Outlook.com makes this super easy when you get a new phone, or a new Windows 8 computer and, of course, local Outlook, which I still use, syncs with Outlook.com without any issues.

Windows Phone hasn’t lost to Android in any way (well, maybe other than fart apps). It’s actually a beautiful OS and better designed than Android. A recently released phone, which has the hardware fr Android, features better battery life in Windows Phone by a considerable margin.

Microsoft has not been good, at all, for Windows Phone early adopters, but I still love Windows Phone. I just got an Android table for my kid, and it really felt like going back in time, having to use several screens full of icons.

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It has been recommended to me not to use Kies from a couple of people. I wonder (based on the discussion above) if it’s improved since then.

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I also use Android-Sync, which I agree is the best of a less than superb group of alternatives. It has worked well for me for several years now, with several versions of Office and with Windows 7 and 8.

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You Need CompanionLink on your PC and DejaOffice on your Android Phone.
I have been using this for years – great product to sync Outlook with.

I am currently using a Blackberry 9330 and it’s time for an upgrade. I am considering replacing it with either a Samsung Galaxy S4, or an iPhone 5C. I plan to use the mobile device primarily as a phone, and for email, calendar, contacts/address book, memos/notes, and occasionally to access the internet. Connection will 4G if available, and 3G if not. Verizon is my carrier and because of where I live it is my only coverage option.

It is vitally important that I be able to easily sync my smartphone organizer data (calendar, contacts/address book, memos/notes) with the Outlook 2003 on my desktop using a USB cable. I do not want to do any syncing using the internet either through Google or elsewhere in the clouds. I do not plan to sync my emails.

My desktop is running Windows 7, and Office 2003 (including Outlook 2003). I have no interest in upgrading my Office or Outlook application. For years I have been easily and accurately syncing my handheld with my desktop – originally with my Palm and Palm Desktop, and then with my Blackberry and Outlook 2003.

As I said phone service and calendar, contacts/address book, memos/notes syncing are my top priorities. I have researched the smartphone/desktop sync issue for both these phones over the internet and cannot find an appropriate answer to my syncing question that will allow me to feel relatively confident in buying either of these devices.

So am I asking if the iPhone 5C or Samsung Galaxy S4 will work better for me?
• What is your experience in syncing each of these phones?
• Is there any third party software that will accomplish my goals that is worth the investment?
• Is there any other guidance you can offer me in making this decision?

Thank you for any assistance you can provide

Reply | Quote

I have an iPhone 5 and an iPad 3. I sync both via iTunes app on our PC´s, using a USB cable. (It is also possible to sync just using the wifi access.) I have Office 2002, Outlook 2003. I can sync contacts, calendar, notes, emails, IE bookmarks (I don´t use IE, so I export bookmarks from Firefox and import them into IE). I also sync apps, movies, videos, books, music the same way. Once the USB cable is plugged in and iTunes open, the options are all very clear. The iCloud control panel cannot sync with Outlook 2003.

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I have an iPhone 5 and an iPad 3. I sync both via iTunes app on our PC´s, using a USB cable. (It is also possible to sync just using the wifi access.) I have Office 2002, Outlook 2003. I can sync contacts, calendar, notes, emails, IE bookmarks (I don´t use IE, so I export bookmarks from Firefox and import them into IE). I also sync apps, movies, videos, books, music the same way. Once the USB cable is plugged in and iTunes open, the options are all very clear. The iCloud control panel cannot sync with Outlook 2003.

I have used Deja Office on my Nexus 7 and Companion Link on my desktop to sync with Microsoft Outlook 2007 for some time and it works great! Also use it with a Samsung Note. Costs $40 but well worth it. When I bought Deja Office, they also had a version for iPhones but it cost ca. $70, so I declined. We have been trying the iCloud sync process with an iPhone 5s but iCloud Control panel made everything more difficult, so have uninstalled it. Really difficult to clean up duplicates that seem to occur very frequently.
kwhiz01

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