The Motorola Droid, a Google-powered smartphone released in 2009, has Internet browsing, thousands of handy apps and an intimate connection to the world's largest search provider and its slew of Internet tools. However, one of the drawbacks of the first version of the Android is its compatibility in syncing to PC-based programs like Outlook. Because Google provides its own calendar/contact system with Gmail, Google was not keen on providing a simple path to its Microsoft-based competitor. Luckily, as of October 2010, there are several software solutions that allow you to successfully sync your Motorola Droid to your Outlook database details using USB or wireless methods. In both cases, you'll be able to sync your contacts, calendar, notes and tasks from your PC to your Droid.
- Skill level:
- Easy
Instructions
Things you need
- CompanionLink software
- DejaOffice app
- Computer
- USB cable (optional)
- Google, Gmail or Google Apps account
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1
Visit the website for the CompanionLink software (see Resources). Choose the green icon for Android, indicate USB as your sync method, scroll to the bottom of the page and choose the Microsoft Outlook link. Click the trial download of CompanionLink software. You can also chose to buy the software for $39.95 (as of October 2010) using the icon provided to the right of the trial icon.
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2
Install CompanionLink using the downloaded file obtained from CompanionLink's website.
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3
Search the Droid Market on your phone for the "DejaOffice" application and download it to your Droid. DejaOffice is a robust contact management and office suite application that provides more functionality than the native Android applications.
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4
Plug the USB cable (provided with the phone) into your PC to automatically sync the Droid. The data synced with this method includes contacts, calendars, tasks, memos and notes.
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5
Follow the screen prompts on your PC to choose your sync settings, how often to sync, what data you would like to include and exclude and finally, to initiate the sync process using the "Sync" button within the CompanionLink user interface.
Direct USB Sync
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1
Download CompanionLink to your PC.
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2
Open the CompanionLink software and select the sync target "Android Via Google."
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3
Select "Outlook" as the PC application you'd like to synchronize.
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4
Click the Google settings button and enter your Google account username and password.
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5
Click the Outlook settings button to choose which portions of your Outlook data you'd like to sync with Google.
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6
Click the "Auto Sync" button to choose your sync settings. This includes the option for automatic syncs and sync direction.
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7
Click the "Advanced Settings" button and choose any other sync settings you'd like to incorporate into each sync.
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8
Click the large "Synchronize" button on the left side of the user interface and syncing will begin. The data synced through this method includes contacts and their photos, calendar details, multiple calendars and reoccurring events, tasks (within your Google calendar), and calendar alerts.
Wireless Sync With Google
Tips and warnings
- Verizon technical support recommends that you choose to sync either your Outlook data or your Google account data with your Android, but not to sync both databases to your phone. Because there is no "hierarchy" to define which data to show, your contacts, notes and calendars may become compromised.
