Microsoft Windows Vista and 2007 Office System Customer Preview Program

[Darius Wey]

Now is your chance to sample Beta 2 of <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/">Windows Vista</a> (released to the public today) and the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/default.mspx">2007 Office System</a> (available since a couple of weeks ago).<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060608-VistaOffice.jpg" /><br /><br />You can learn more about the new features in Windows Vista <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/">here</a>, and the 2007 Office System <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/default.mspx">here</a>. With regard to mobile devices, you'll notice a new Windows Mobile Device Center in Windows Vista - designed to replace ActiveSync, and enhance device management and the sync experience between PCs and Windows Mobile-based devices. Admittedly, it's still a little broken and there is room for improvement, but if you enjoy poking around, do check it out. Also, earlier, we spoke about <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,48979">OneNote Mobile</a>. You can grab OneNote 2007 from Beta 2 of the 2007 Office System, which includes OneNote Mobile. Install it on your Pocket PC and Smartphone to discover what it's all about.<br /><br />Remember - these are pre-release versions of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office System, so avoid using it on your primary machines and install at your own risk.<br /><br /><b>Download/Order:</b> <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/default.mspx">Windows Vista Beta 2</a><br /><b>Download/Order:</b> <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/beta/overview.mspx">2007 Office System Beta 2</a>

[Shrink]

Has anyone tried synchronizing in Vista beta 2 with Outlook 2007? Last time I checked, the mobile device sync only worked with music files and in permitting access to the files on the mobile device for copying back and forth. Thanks!

[Darius Wey]

Has anyone tried synchronizing in Vista beta 2 with Outlook 2007? Last time I checked, the mobile device sync only worked with music files and in permitting access to the files on the mobile device for copying back and forth. Thanks!

PIM data sync hasn't been implemented yet, unfortunately. :(

Edit: Oh, and I should add that you can't install ActiveSync as a workaround either. I'm hoping by the next beta release, Microsoft will have added in all the sync functionality to make the Windows Mobile Device Center work as it should.

[Shrink]

Has anyone tried synchronizing in Vista beta 2 with Outlook 2007? Last time I checked, the mobile device sync only worked with music files and in permitting access to the files on the mobile device for copying back and forth. Thanks!

PIM data sync hasn't been implemented yet, unfortunately. :(

Edit: Oh, and I should add that you can't install ActiveSync as a workaround either. I'm hoping by the next beta release, Microsoft will have added in all the sync functionality to make the Windows Mobile Device Center work as it should.

Thanks Darius - that's too bad. I had installed Beta 2 on my laptop and it ran very well with the exception of not being able to sync with outlook. Perhaps i'll just go back to it and see how working just off the laptop for the time being would fare.

[SteveHoward999]

PIM data sync hasn't been implemented yet, unfortunately. :(

Edit: Oh, and I should add that you can't install ActiveSync as a workaround either. I'm hoping by the next beta release, Microsoft will have added in all the sync functionality to make the Windows Mobile Device Center work as it should.


Grrrrrrrr. I can live without Outlook sync if I really must, but c'mon Microsoft!

[bigray327]

Microsoft released ActiveSync for Vista recently. It's an optional download, so automatic updates won't pick it up. It's still slow as hell. Same functionality, just a prettier interface now.

Syncing didn't actually work for me. It says it... uhh... sunc? ... but my calendar is clearly not mirrored. Maybe it's me, but I doubt it.

[Darius Wey]

Microsoft released ActiveSync for Vista recently. It's an optional download, so automatic updates won't pick it up. It's still slow as hell. Same functionality, just a prettier interface now.

Interesting. I need to reinstall Vista again, so I'll check it out next week and let you know how it goes.

[bigray327]

I meant to call it Windows Mobile Device Center, not ActiveSync. It's almost exactly the same as AS was, they just changed the name.

[Darius Wey]

I meant to call it Windows Mobile Device Center, not ActiveSync. It's almost exactly the same as AS was, they just changed the name.

Right. But the Windows Mobile Device Center is a part of Vista by default. Or are you saying there's an update for the Device Center now via Automatic Updates?

[Darius Wey]

I meant to call it Windows Mobile Device Center, not ActiveSync. It's almost exactly the same as AS was, they just changed the name.

Right. But the Windows Mobile Device Center is a part of Vista by default. Or are you saying there's an update for the Device Center now via Automatic Updates?

You know what? Never mind. :bangin:

Now I know what you were talking about. I just received word about the update and will be posting details on the front-page shortly. :)