Windows Phone 7 and Outlook Sync: The Forgotten Scenario? [Archive]

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Jason Dunn

12-17-2010, 11:01 PM

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowsphone7/thread/48ae2598-f773-4b4c-87cc-54d8c5c012d2/?prof=required' target='_blank'>http://social.answers.microsoft.com.../?prof=required</a><br /><br /></div><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/wpt/auto/1292472365.usr1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>Over at the Microsoft Answers forum, there's a <a href="http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowsphone7/thread/48ae2598-f773-4b4c-87cc-54d8c5c012d2/?prof=required" target="_blank">very long thread</a> where many users are chiming in on the same subject: the lack of desktop Outlook sync with Windows Phone 7 is a big problem for them. Microsoft forum software is pretty bizarre, so I can't tell how many posts there are in this thread, but I'd guess it's at least 100+. When any discussion thread reaches 100 posts, you know it's a serious issue.</p><p>I remember when I first heard about this decision; it was at the <a href="http://windowsphonethoughts.com/news/show/95970/mobius-2009-fascinating-but-little-that-can-be-shared.html" target="_blank">Mobius 2009</a> event. You could hear a pin drop when <a href="http://www.google.ca/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=aaron+woodman" target="_blank">Aaron Woodman</a> announced that Windows Phone 7 would be completely cloud-centric: there would be no way to get email, calendar, contacts, or even files via the desktop...it would only come via the cloud. The repercussions of this decision were huge, and long-time Windows Mobile users were shocked when the product shipped without the ability to do any sort of local sync. Is it a problem for you? Vote in the poll, but keep reading...</p><p><script src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/4264323.js" type="text/javascript"></script></p><p><MORE /></p><p>I was personally hoping I'd see desktop sync get better, not vanish completely; I always thought there was a core opportunity for Microsoft to have Windows Phones sync with the Windows Live desktop suite; control your PIM data via Windows Live Mail, photos and videos via Windows Live Gallery, etc. But I'm not overly "cloud based" - I like powerful PCs with real apps and local storage. Maybe I'm a vanishing breed?</p><p>It's easy to say "Oh, just move to the cloud!" but I've seen example after example where people, usually in small to mid-sized business settings, simply can't. They're using Outlook on a desktop PC, and the only way they can get their PIM data is via desktop sync. The IT infrastructure at many businesses can be shockingly dysfunctional, so you can't just say "Oh, go get an Exchange server and fix it all." It's rarely that simple, and by making this decision, Microsoft has alienated many of their core users. The decision, coming without any explanation or justification, also comes across as arbitrary - there may well be data showing that the customers Microsoft is targeting with Windows Phone 7 are primarily cloud-based, and that's why they made this decision - but why not come out and say that?</p><p>The shocking truth? If you're a desktop Outlook user and you need to sync PIM data, your best option (other than older phones can still accomplish this) is an <strong><em>iPhone</em></strong>. Seems like a twisted joke, doesn't it?</p>

brianchris

12-18-2010, 12:26 AM

Jason Dunn

12-18-2010, 12:32 AM

I have been using hosted Exchange for years, so the lack of Outlook desktop sync is not a problem for me. What has been a problem is how to get Office documents back and forth on my WP7 device.....the only way I've found is emailing the files! I *must* be doing something wrong, and would love for someone here to point out what I should be doing? Thanks!

I'm in the same boat. I've had a hosted Exchange account for years, so the lack of desktop PIM sync doesn't impact me, but the file sync stuff is pretty bizarre. No, you're not doing it wrong; most people email files to themselves, so I think Microsoft used that as an excuse to no develop something better.

I think you'd benefit from using Dropbox (https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTQwNzY5OTk?src=global0) - there's already at least one Dropbox client for Windows Phone 7, and I suspect more are on the way.

brianchris

12-18-2010, 12:35 AM

I'm in the same boat. I've had a hosted Exchange account for years, so the lack of desktop PIM sync doesn't impact me, but the file sync stuff is pretty bizarre. No, you're not doing it wrong; most people email files to themselves, so I think Microsoft used that as an excuse to no develop something better.

I think you'd benefit from using Dropbox (https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTQwNzY5OTk?src=global0) - there's already at least one Dropbox client for Windows Phone 7, and I suspect more are on the way.

I have been using Dropbox for years, and had been watching for a Dropbox app for WP7, but must of missed the one you are referring to....what's it's name? Is it upload as well as download? Thanks!!

Jason Dunn

12-18-2010, 12:45 AM

I have been using Dropbox for years, and had been watching for a Dropbox app for WP7, but must of missed the one you are referring to....what's it's name? Is it upload as well as download? Thanks!!

Come on now, this isn't YouTube - you should be able to do your own research. ;)

I just opened up Marketplace, did a search for the term "Dropbox", and found "Boxfiles for Dropbox". Not sure what the functionality is like...reading the description, it looks like you just email yourself a link from the program to a file in your public folder - so it's not actual access to the file. Without a file system, this may be the best we can do for now...which kind of sucks.

jimmyfal

12-18-2010, 02:17 AM

I'm a prominent member of the thread you are referring to, and I think a lot of us are just a little blown away that, we were the ones that made these types of phones popular starting 10 years ago, with our need to have a PIM and phone all in one hand. And now we are expected to comb through threads to comprehend why we are being so stupid and pig-headed about moving to the cloud. I think a lot of us would be happy if Microsoft would address us like the human beings and; overly loyal at this point; lemmings that we appear to be.

Talk to me Microsoft, explain to me in plain english if we will ever get this or not. What's with the silence? I don't think you would be letting any kind of cat out of the bag to let us know WTF is going on in this department. Stop leaning on your MVP's, speak the F up.

JF

Fritzly

12-18-2010, 03:08 AM

I use Exchange too and in order to connect WP7 to the server I had to email the security certificate to myself using a newly created hotmail account! Why a newly created one? Because I cannot use my "real" MSN one without having a lot of people in Messnger automatically added to the phone!@#%#$#$#

Furthermore the issue is not only Outlook: I do not want to sync docs through the cloud; I want to do it using the desktop! Is it so complicated to give people options? Has MS management forgot that their company is what it is because it was the most flexible one?

Stop copying Apple business model, inglobate the interesting aspects of it but do not loose your own identity.

Don Tolson

12-18-2010, 06:33 AM

I put 'other answer', but I guess I sync mostly with the 'cloud'. But I used to do this with Windows Mobile as well, since my corp has a Mobile Outlook server (or at least a web interface to the Outlook server) which has been my sync point for appts, contacts, and tasks for years now.

So when I got into WP7, there wasn't any real difference, except the configuration wasn't as straightforward as it was in WM6. (In WP7, you have to go the Advanced Settings to put in your own server name.)

The pain is not being able to sync data files (phone lists, etc.) that are not in the cloud, but on my laptop. The only way to get those onto the phone is to email them to myself and detach on the phone.

digity

12-18-2010, 10:19 AM

Well it looks like SkyDrive could solve some of the file syncing woes, though its not exactly smooth (its a little confusing to navigate). What sucks is you can't access the files you sync to SkyDrive via Live Mesh 2011 directly on your Windows Phone (that would really solve a lot of these issues).

All in all I believe Microsoft has better insight on Outlook desktop syncing usage than we do. They probably saw a drop in its usage over the years, figured what's the point continuing to support this technology especially since they're already moving most of their products to the cloud (hosted Exchange, SharePoint, Office, etc.).

I think they want to move folks from the desktop to the cloud but botched this by not having their consumer focused Windows Live ecosystem ready in time (i.e., their mobileMe-ish service) and/or launching Windows Phone 7 too early. This may not be a forgotten scenario, but simply stuck in transition.

Just a thought

brianchris

12-18-2010, 05:32 PM

Come on now, this isn't YouTube - you should be able to do your own research. ;)

I just opened up Marketplace, did a search for the term "Dropbox", and found "Boxfiles for Dropbox". Not sure what the functionality is like...reading the description, it looks like you just email yourself a link from the program to a file in your public folder - so it's not actual access to the file. Without a file system, this may be the best we can do for now...which kind of sucks.

You are right....I should be doing my own research! I just assumed that when you referenced a WP7 Dropbox app, you had purchased and used it yourself, and therefore would quickly know what the name and functionality was. I am sorry for assuming that! :(

So, in discussing all this, I've realized something: There is (currently) no way to get an office document (or other non-picture file) *off* a WP7 device (including emailing a file), correct? If so, it means WP7 is imitating a black hole for files......files get in, but they can't get out!

hummingbirdhill

12-18-2010, 05:56 PM

Being a very private person, I don't do digital clouds. I maintain all of my business, records, photographs, on my local computer clients. I sync my Outlook data, .pdf docs, and Microsoft Office docs directly betwixt my cell phone and computers. Although I have nothing to hide, I conduct my digital data activities locally---for safety's sake as well as for simplicity's sake. My social life doesn't include twitter, facebook, etcetera. I reckon I like to be as in control of my stuff as possible in our digital age. :)

Because my beloved HTC Fuze (Windows 6.1 Professional) has recently shown signs of wear I tried a Samsung Fascinate whose android OS is still rough around the edges but which didn't require my participation in a digital cloud. I could actually hear a conversation on the Fascinate without straining my ears! However the android OS is messily unorganized compared to that of my Fuze.

I suppose my HP iPAQ 211 will again be my portable brain when my Fuze dies because 'twould be senseless to be syncless on a Win7Phone . . .

wetsleet

12-18-2010, 07:32 PM

Sven Johannsen

12-19-2010, 01:29 AM

Well, I had to opt for the 'other' catagory. It was a blow to me as well, as I grew up with Outlook and Pocket PCs. Remember when a copy came with them? So, it has always been a standalone installation, no Exchange. My companies have either used Lotus, or wouldn't let you attach to their Exchange server with a device that actually supported this directly. (The opted for the end-around RIM, extra server route). In any case, to support my fanboyism, I actually readjusted my entire life to take advantage of the cloud. I have no personal gripes with it, just never did it. I am finding that not everything in my beloved Outlook is supported via the Live and the PIM on WinPhone 7. May be coming, may not. It's a secret. I have on the otherhand enjoyed the relatively seamless distribution of my PIM dat, across my WinPhone, Desktop, Laptop, and even iPhone, as it supports EAS of Live stuff as well as MS. I really have not had to worry about connecting this to that and the other thing to get sync'd, it just happens. I do think the Outlook Connector is kind of tacked on though.
I also have read many extremely persuasive discussions on why direct sync with a desktop PIM is needed, for security, for privacy, and other scenarios. It certainly is a decision that has left some without a viable solution using MS products. It is interesting that the only non-cloud solution depends on Exchange. That is interesting because the only real file sync solution depends on SharePoint. Both arguably Enterprise technologies. It seems this release supports the Enterprise very well, and the basic home consumer. The latter being the Web based PIM user. It appears to me that the space in the middle is where the vision was lost.
While I can live with the cloud based PIM, there really needs to be a better solution for Office, and other docs. With the exception of OneNote, the Office Hub is virtually useless if you aren't supported by SharePoint.

T_Scheen

12-19-2010, 12:04 PM

No way! I just assumed - Microsoft Phone, Microsoft PC, Microsoft OS on both, Microsoft PIM software on both - its all going to line up. So I've held off Android and all the other siren voices, waiting for MS to float its phone.
And your telling me it won't all connect up and synchronise?
Cloud, pah - I want my personal data under my lock and key.
And I can't be the only one. I'm guessing that the majority of people who have held off Android have a conservative streak running through them when it comes to things like knowing where your data is.
Like the other poster, I'll just have to hang on to the HP214 a while longer.

Couldn't agree more !
I've been using MS PPC since 1997 now (Casio E10). My 'latest' model is the FSC T830 with Windows Mobile 5.0. The functionality of this device gives me EVERYTHING I need. Unfortunately, the form factor of the device isn't up-to-date anymore with my business colleagues and their sleek Blackberries regularly making jokes about me and my device.
Since 2008, I have been waiting for a decent OS-update from Mircrosoft - and this is the result.
Horrifying. I need to locally sync with my Outook 2003 at work via USB WITHOUT putting my data in a cloud. I just don't trust these services AT ALL !
Not to mention the other flaws of WP7 (no copy-paste, no more tasks, no file-explorer, no SD-card file transfer, no Office/SP 2003 support, etc., etc., etc.)

Android/Blackberry are no alternatives either and I wouldn't even accept a Jesus-phone if it was for free !!!

Alternatives: None ! Should my current device break down, I'll buy a new, used one from eBay.

Note to Microsoft:
There's a nice idiom in German which says: "Der Zug ist abgefahren" = The train has left the station !
Sorry.

Thomas

Omegajb

12-19-2010, 11:40 PM

Not being able to sync with Outlook is a huge problem for me. I work for a company that doesn't have Exchange (yet) and not being able to sync my calendar and contacts is a major problem.
I had the same issue with the Droid but at least they had a connector that would sync Outlook with Gmail. It was a little crude but it worked.
MS has something like it but it doesn't work in real time. I was able to export all my PIM data but if I add something new in Outlook I have to add it to Hotmail too.

I think my company is getting Exchange inQ1 of 2011 but until then I'll only have a phone that does half of what I want.

Twain

12-19-2010, 11:58 PM

I guess I'll be using my Windows Mobile 6.5 based HTC Touch Pro 2 a little while longer. I thought for sure that I would be buying a new Windows Phone 7 device when the CDMA models finally arrived at Verizon "in early 2011". But with this new hideous revelation about not even being able to synchronize contacts, etc. with the desktop version of Outlook, this takes the cake. It is yet another example where Microsoft seems to be fully intent on shooting themselves in both feet, thereby crippling WP7. For a phone that purports to be consumer oriented, not being able to synchronize personal contacts, calendars, tasks, etc. using Outlook on the desktop is a definite failure. (I understand that many options exist to perform this function, but please Microsoft, at least be compatible with your own Windows software!)

I get that in the world of software development, sometimes certain features have to be delayed until a later release of the software simply because the clock runs out and you want to get something to market. In the case of Windows Phone 7, not to have a core feature so basic as Outlook desktop synchronization in the first release just boggles my mind.

People who maintain that you're a Luddite if you can't get with the program and move all of your personal data to "the cloud" where it can then be synchronized with Windows Phone 7 need to understand that not everyone wants their personal data on a corporate server; I certainly don't want my personal data on remote servers. I have no problem with the cloud approach as one option, but I have a serious issue if it is the only option for users.

I've seen the outrage expressed by folks on the Microsoft forums referenced by the OP. Let's hope Microsoft corrects this problem (and it is a huge problem) quickly with the new WP7 upgrades supposedly arriving in the next few months. By the way, even the vaunted approach of using Hotmail, etc. breaks down when you have more than 1000 contacts. I wonder what Microsoft's plan is to correct that issue??

Sven Johannsen

12-20-2010, 04:56 AM

For a phone that purports to be consumer oriented, not being able to synchronize personal contacts, calendars, tasks, etc. using Outlook on the desktop is a definite failure.
No plan to apologize, or justify the decision, but the crux of it is that that average consumer doesn't use Outlook. Not sure that isn't a reasonable belief, given the quantity of folks who complain about how complicated and overkill Outlook is for their simple home use. Don't agree with that, I love Outlook, but I have heard this a lot. So, the phone works very well with an assortment of web based PIM products, Live being one of them. There is an Outlook Connector that attaches Live to Outlook and it does actually work fairly well (could be better). Sadly it is far better than Live Mail, the actual desktop client for the web service, IMHO.

@ Omegajb, have you tried the Outlook connector? I find it pretty responsive. I may need to hit a send/receive now and again, but it syncs my hotmail and PIM entries, pretty quickly. If you and your company doesn't have an issue with droid, Gmail and Outlook connection, no reason Live, WP7 and Outlook connector should be an issue. The biggest hurdle is comfort with the Cloud being involved in the exchange. If you can get by that, you can even keep your iPad and Ubuntu netbook sync'd up. The Cloud is a big issue for a lot of folks though.

after_forever

12-20-2010, 12:38 PM

IMHO, WM7’s operating system was designed and built by a bunch of punk kids that play their Xbox most of the day and have no clue as how the real world works and operates on a day to day bases. I have for many many years, starting with a PDA (Casio 125) and then moving up to a Windows smart-phone, have used Outlook to sync all my contacts and data. There are so many things missing in WM7 that I use every day on my Tilt2 WM6.5 and I can’t see myself giving that up because MS wants me to switch to the cloud. Well MS, I have a finger pointing up at your cloud!
I don’t want to sync my stuff through this unknown cloud thing and I sure in the heck don’t want to play games on my phone and I don’t want a Zune phone so I can pay you an absorbent amount of money once a month to stream music. I want a device that I am in control of how my personal data is shared between my PC and my phone. If I wanted an IPhone, I would have purchased one of those years ago!

Fritzly

12-20-2010, 04:35 PM

It is a mistery to me how MS executives can keep praising the "great integration" between Office and WP7 when the latter does not support "Categories" and "Tasks".......; and this is just an example of the existing shortcomings.

Just in case someone would object: "But it is version 1!!!!", I remind them that my Motorola MX 200 supported Outlook much better than WP7 does.

hummingbirdhill

12-20-2010, 06:33 PM

IMHO, WM7’s operating system was designed and built by a bunch of punk kids that play their Xbox most of the day and have no clue as how the real world works and operates . . . I have for many many years . . . used Outlook to sync all my contacts and data. There are so many things missing in WM7 that I use every day on my Tilt2 WM6.5 and I can’t see myself giving that up because MS wants me to switch to the cloud. I don’t want to sync my stuff through this unknown cloud thing and I sure in the heck don’t want to play games on my phone and I don’t want a Zune phone so I can pay you an absorbent amount of money once a month to stream music. I want a device that I am in control of how my personal data is shared between my PC and my phone. If I wanted an IPhone, I would have purchased one of those years ago!

@AfterForever: YES!!! Precisely my own attitude. My HTC Fuze isn't a toy for music and games and clouds; it is a personal information manager.

Sven Johannsen

12-20-2010, 06:55 PM

........ If I wanted an IPhone, I would have purchased one of those years ago!Lot of you out there. Unfortunately not enough to make the platform a 'success'. BTW, the Zune integration doesn't require you to pay MS a cent. You can still actually buy CDs, rip them, and put them on your phone. You can even buy them from Amazon or iTunes (yes you can). Or steal music.

Fritzly

12-21-2010, 12:07 AM

Lot of you out there. Unfortunately not enough to make the platform a 'success'. BTW, the Zune integration doesn't require you to pay MS a cent. You can still actually buy CDs, rip them, and put them on your phone. You can even buy them from Amazon or iTunes (yes you can). Or steal music.

I would be very curious to see the sales numbers for WP7 and compare them with the iPhone ones when it was launched.
Let us see how long we will have to wait....... My guess? After Verizon launch it so the numbers will "grow".....

zeke009

12-21-2010, 02:31 AM

Cloud based sync, nice implementation for the non-work based account. What I personally miss and am the most frustrated by is no tasks via hotmail. Tasks are something I have used for years via outlook and happily synced to my winmobile devices, no they totally left those out and I am hunting for a goofy 3rd party solution. Take care of tasks MS and I will be the happiest win phone user around. I'll probably be the happiest user sitting in Tony roma's drinking beer waiting for the wife and to see the Vikings get embarrassed on Monday night football. Beer is here, get to it MS and fix it. Love the tasks, cherish the tasks... Embrace the tasks with your hotmail arms.

Sven Johannsen

12-21-2010, 06:15 PM

Certainly it is a prejudiced view but Windows Phone 7 Sales Off to a Promising Start, First Step in a New Era of Mobile: Achim Berg, Microsoft?s vice president of business and marketing for Windows Phones, discusses the momentum, strengths and challenges of the company?s newly launch (http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2010/dec10/12-21achimbergqa.mspx) seems to indicate it is doing reasonably well compared to other first artical launches. Even Engadget in their backhanded coverage of the Marketplace, Windows Phone 7's Marketplace grows faster than Android did at launch, doesn't mean much -- Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/20/windows-phone-7s-marketplace-grows-faster-than-android-did-at-l/), indicated it is farther along than Android was at this point in its life.

You can certainly make the case that MS is competing with established platforms in Apple and Android, so being V1 is irrelevent. Both those platforms introduced a V1 in an environment of existing options, and while innovative had as many shortcomings as MS has now to begin with. Apple had no multitasking or cut/copy/paste when Windows Mobile did. The approach MS has is fresh, IMHO, even if you don't personally like it. They do seem to be doing OK when compared to competitors initial launches. Now they just need to make good on the promises and keep the momentum going. (Note that momentum doesn't imply blazing fast movement, and success, in my mind anyway, doesn't mean cornering the market)

Richard76

12-24-2010, 04:40 PM

I was so looking forward to getting the new Samsung Focus this month but with no MS Outlook desktop sync, I have been forced to keep my iPhone 3GS. Yes, I also have and use an HTC Fuze with WM 6.5 and a Touch Pro 2 with the same but it's pretty hard to keep going back to those devices after getting used to the "usability" of the iOS touch screen.

On the bright side, I did buy my son a Focus for Christmas. Little does he know that he is going to have to wrestle Dad on Christmas day to get to play with his new toy!

Pony99CA

12-24-2010, 06:38 PM

I don't have a problem with Internet hosting (I refuse to use "cloud") per se; I currently use Microsoft My Phone on my Omnia, but that's only for backup. However, I do have a problem if I can't sync both Outlook and my phone to the same source. Maybe Outlook Connector that Sven mentioned would work, but I do not want to have to create a Hotmail account for that.

However, I also don't think Exchange is a viable solution for consumers and even some businesses who may have chosen a different solution and don't want their proprietary information on the Internet.

This is just one more reason for this long-term Windows CE/Pocket PC/Windows Mobile/Windows Phone user to switch to Android. :(

Steve

Pony99CA

12-24-2010, 06:40 PM

[...]I don’t want a Zune phone so I can pay you an absorbent amount of money once a month to stream music.
I kind of wonder how much money you need to absorb common kitchen spills. I doubt that it works better than Bounty. :D

Steve

P.S. Maybe you meant exorbitant (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exorbitant)?

Sven Johannsen

12-24-2010, 09:13 PM

I....Maybe Outlook Connector that Sven mentioned would work, but I do not want to have to create a Hotmail account for that.Well, that is the catch. You do need a "Hotmail" account. That service does have an Exchange ActiveSync feature so that you can sync both the phone, and Outlook, via the connector. If you are already using some sort of hosted Exchange service, you can certainly connect Outlook and the phone to that.

I'm not sure how internet hosting is that different than "the cloud". Somebody somewhere has your data on their hardware, and has promised to protect it.

neo158

12-24-2010, 09:32 PM

What are businesses doing buying WP7 devices anyway?

Microsoft themselves have stated that this release is aimed squarely at consumers NOT busnesses.

If you need to sync with Outlook via a desktop, tough, it's not coming back anytime soon. If you require Outlook sync then get an Exchange server.

/rant

Fritzly

12-25-2010, 06:04 AM

Well, that is the catch. You do need a "Hotmail" account. That service does have an Exchange ActiveSync feature so that you can sync both the phone, and Outlook, via the connector. If you are already using some sort of hosted Exchange service, you can certainly connect Outlook and the phone to that.

I'm not sure how internet hosting is that different than "the cloud". Somebody somewhere has your data on their hardware, and has promised to protect it.

Well for example: you have an online storage account where you transfer files you previously encripted using a program like Jetico.

Somebody somewhere has your data on their hardware, and has promised to protect it.... Just in case they forgot........... you took care of it. :-)

Fritzly

12-25-2010, 06:06 AM

I don't have a problem with Internet hosting (I refuse to use "cloud") per se; I currently use Microsoft My Phone on my Omnia, but that's only for backup. Steve

Forget "My Phone" when using WP7, the service does not exist. And yes one of the greatest functionalities of My Phone is the ability to back up your SMS, something else WP7 does not have.

Pony99CA

12-25-2010, 09:44 AM

Well, that is the catch. You do need a "Hotmail" account. That service does have an Exchange ActiveSync feature so that you can sync both the phone, and Outlook, via the connector.
Oh well. I would have liked to try hooking Outlook up to My Phone, but Fritzly says that's not available in WP 7.

I'm not sure how internet hosting is that different than "the cloud". Somebody somewhere has your data on their hardware, and has promised to protect it.
If that refers to my saying "I don't have a problem with Internet hosting (I refuse to use "cloud") per se", I think you misunderstood. I said that I refuse to use "cloud" (the word), not "the cloud" (which is basically Internet-hosted services). I just think calling it "the cloud" is silly. (It probably comes from old system diagrams where the Internet was represented by a cloud symbol.) What's next, "rainbows" and "sunshine"? :rolleyes:

Steve

Loxias

12-25-2010, 08:09 PM

Well, that is the catch. You do need a "Hotmail" account.
While 'technically' this may be a Hotmail account, the semantics of the use of the word will throw people off. Really, what you need is a Live account. Hotmail infers the use of an email account ending in @hotmail.com. You can use a personal/custom/whatever email account and link it to Live services. A Hotmail address is not needed to sync your phone.

Once you install the Connector in Outlook, you'll see a new contact list and calendar created. Dragging or copying your existing contacts will upload them to Live and then sync them to your phone automagically. And of course adding appointments to the calendar will do the same.

This was quite a change for us as well. As a corporate Exchange user that integration is always nice. But it was a little weird to have to install extra software when moving my wife from her 3GS. Although, Outlook 2010 does have this built in.

Sven Johannsen

12-26-2010, 04:18 AM

If that refers to my saying "I don't have a problem with Internet hosting (I refuse to use "cloud") per se", I think you misunderstood. I said that I refuse to use "cloud" (the word), not "the cloud" (which is basically Internet-hosted services). I just think calling it "the cloud" is silly. (It probably comes from old system diagrams where the Internet was represented by a cloud symbol.) What's next, "rainbows" and "sunshine"? :rolleyes:

Steve
Ahh, OK, got it. Put a few of those clouds on diagrams myself. Never really did like it either, because it disguised the fact it was just more boxes with point to point circuits between them. Those of course were bad things. Actually we already have "rainbows" and "sunshine", but they are inherent to magical Apple products. ;)

mas98110

12-27-2010, 06:10 AM

It's been posted before here and on other sites but I just don't get the whole MS Cloud Plan. They may have great tech guys but they better start looking for better marketing and advertising people. Have you seen those ads! makes me want to get a Win Phone7...I am still learning to use my new HTC HD2 running 6.5, I love it and since I replaced the HTC Sense with SPB Mobile Skin it is running flawlessly.

Pony99CA

12-27-2010, 08:29 PM

While 'technically' this may be a Hotmail account, the semantics of the use of the word will throw people off. Really, what you need is a Live account. Hotmail infers the use of an email account ending in @hotmail.com. You can use a personal/custom/whatever email account and link it to Live services. A Hotmail address is not needed to sync your phone.
I think that I already have a Live account (for MS Money and/or My Phone). In fact, I was just able to log in at live.com (http://live.com), so I must have one. :)

Under the Hotmail tab, though, it showed an Inbox with one message (a welcome message), so I may have a Hotmail account, too. I tried to find out what the address was, but there's nothing listed. I tried sending an E-mail and it looked like it was using my Live login E-mail address, but when I got the anti-spam CAPTCHA, Firefox locked up completely. :eek:

Steve

Eriq Cook

12-28-2010, 03:49 AM

MadSci

12-28-2010, 07:01 AM

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. This is exactly what many of us predicted would happen. in abandoning so many of the features of WM that were the unique attraction of the platform, MSoft has sealed their own fate. The bleatings of their VPs are as pointless as they are transparent. Handset #s sold to Carriers indeed! Newspapers used to use this trick to boast about their 'Circulation' numbers when in fact most of their wares were returned unsold. The AT&T stored around here are almost ready to give them away just to free up the floor space for some new Androids!

It seems to me that there are a few Accounting Firms that used to exist that used this kind of accounting to boost stock values a few years ago as well. Hmmm

"Just in case someone would object: "But it is version 1!!!!", I remind them that my Motorola MX 200 supported Outlook much better than WP7 does."

So did mine - and that's a tragedy of monumental proportions. Normally I have looked forward to the chance to improve my Phone with an annual upgrade. But I see nothing out there that can match my Telstra HD2 running an NRG ROM on AT&T's unsuspecting Network.

I have no interest in XBox, I don't need to be interrupted during the workday by Facebook Updates, and I DO need my 3500+ Contacts, along with the info entered into the "Notes' Field for each Contact, and I DO need to track my Tasks on an ongoing basis.

I ran across my old Palm V the other day, and realized that if I were to be so foolish as to buy a W7 Phone I would have to go back to porting around my phone and a PIM that works! I liked 2001. It was a good year for me, but I have no desire to go BACK to it!

Get a clue MSoft. Neither Apple nor Google launched their mobile platforms by abandoning their base. They had none. Apparently, Microsoft wishes they were in the same position, and is doing their best to make us all go away so they can make a real 'clean' start.

Sven Johannsen

12-29-2010, 03:59 AM

While 'technically' this may be a Hotmail account, the semantics of the use of the word will throw people off. Really, what you need is a Live account. Hotmail infers the use of an email account ending in @hotmail.com. You can use a personal/custom/whatever email account and link it to Live services. A Hotmail address is not needed to sync your phone.
While it is true you can get a Live ID using any e-mail address from anywhere, you won't get the benefit of a good deal of the integration without a Live (read Hotmail) Account. The Hotmail servers can be accessed via Exchange Active Sync, by entering m.server.com as the server address. This manages your otherwise web mail, as if it were an Exchange account, with push, server stored contact and calender, etc.

maxnix

01-03-2011, 07:11 PM

As someone who has moved on to Android but still holds out diminishing hope that MS will quit shooting itself in the foot, I think MS is believing its own BS again and overthinking the simplest of problems with the most obvious solutions.

It's a shame that MS has ceded most of the functions that made WM superior in the past to other platforms. Didn't anyone get the message about saving the baby when they were told to change the bath water?