Is anyone using Companionlink USB?

[queueman]

I currently have a Palm Centro and want to migrate to a Verizon Android phone (not sure which). Having been a palm user for a long time, I like the desktop and ability to sync locally with a USB connection. Is there anyone who is currently using Companionlink to sync with a Palm destop? If so, how is that working out?

 

[Zorro1]

Oh, ever since it first rolled, so been thru the beta testing, which wasn't too great. But I continue to use Palm Desktop, like you, won't leave it! And it's been fine the past month or so now, they continue to update it. Oh, I must say, I don't use the calender, just contacts, and finally dumped the memos, too. One guy had some trouble with the calender, but that's been a while ago. And it was just easier to create some new memos in Color note than screw around with trying to sync those. All that to say, I'm happy.

 

[queueman]

Companion link

Oh, ever since it first rolled, so been thru the beta testing, which wasn't too great. But I continue to use Palm Desktop, like you, won't leave it! And it's been fine the past month or so now, they continue to update it. Oh, I must say, I don't use the calender, just contacts, and finally dumped the memos, too. One guy had some trouble with the calender, but that's been a while ago. And it was just easier to create some new memos in Color note than screw around with trying to sync those. All that to say, I'm happy.

Thanks. I guess I'm just concerned about the privacy of the cloud. I would like to sync calendar, memos and tasks, just like I do now with the Centro, but I'll see how it goes. I think there is a free trial with Companionlink.
I wasn't going to get a new phone, then I saw the Palm Pre Plus was coming to Verizon so I started looking. I finally decided that Palm is losing ground too fast, most Android apps are free and there are more of them, so I will go with Android, but I don't have one yet. Which phone do you have?

 

[Zorro1]

I have the Moto Droid, fantastic. Just wait until you see that screen compared to the Centro! Wow. And the browser......!!!!!!!!!! I really really didn't want to leave Palm, BUT...since Palm itself abandoned the Palm, I was going to have to learn something new, either WinMoHel, WebOS, Crackberry, or Android (wasnt going to leave VZW, so iPhone wasn't an option). Figured if I was going to learn something, it better be the one that would win the wars with many hardware and software suppliers. The Droid is arguable the best phone/device ever made. Even the iPhone isn't even close. I couldn't be happier. My wife has my old Centro since hers died...so move soon, they're on life support.

 

[queueman]

Moto Droid

I have the Moto Droid, fantastic. Just wait until you see that screen compared to the Centro! Wow. And the browser......!!!!!!!!!! I really really didn't want to leave Palm, BUT...since Palm itself abandoned the Palm, I was going to have to learn something new, either WinMoHel, WebOS, Crackberry, or Android (wasnt going to leave VZW, so iPhone wasn't an option). Figured if I was going to learn something, it better be the one that would win the wars with many hardware and software suppliers. The Droid is arguable the best phone/device ever made. Even the iPhone isn't even close. I couldn't be happier. My wife has my old Centro since hers died...so move soon, they're on life support.

I got a Droid three days ago, still a learning curve. You're right the browser is amazing. Still a few things I prefer on the Centro, such as USB sync. I tried Companionlink but it puts everything in customized places and I don't like the way it displays. I'm now trying to keep my calendar from syncing with Google. Just paranoid I guess.
I agree with your opinion on Palm. They abandonded the desktop, which was stupid on their part. Before I found that out, I wanted a Pre Plus. Like you, I thought, if Palm is doing everything the same way as the other companies, I should check out what else there is available. Android has thousands more apps, and most are free. The build quality on the Droid seems better as well. My main issue has to do with typing-see my other post "can't type some characters".

 

[Zorro1]

I'm finally growing comfortable with the keyboard. Just need to use it more it seems. And yes, CompanionLink is not as seamless as the Palm Hotsync. Yet. You do have total control of how to sync. Up 'til now, I've managed everything thru my desktop and snyc'd one way...to the Droid. I'm about to change that since it's all settled in nicely. I can customize phone entries on the Droid, so I'm curious as to how that's handled when you sync up.

 

[StNick999]

I'm just now where QUEUEMAN was last year. Just acquired a Samsung Epic and love the phone but am still in love with my Palm Desktop. At the moment, I'm carrying my old Centro as a calendar device. My contacts were transfered over at the Sprint Store but no such luck with the calendar. Has there been any progress in the Companionlink USB sync to Palm Desktop? Does anyone have experience in using the link thru GMail? Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[Zorro1]

Been using it all along, works really clean, rarely a glitch. I still use my Palm Desktop, you have full control over what syncs and what overwrites what, etc. just like in the Palm days. Pretty mature product now. I do NOT use it thru Gmail.

 

[StNick999]

Thanks for the update. It had seemed the USB sync was the way to avoid most glitches. I think you just comfirmed it. I'm downloading it tomorrow and will update the results.

 

[JayinToronto]

I'm VERY interested in this discussion

I'm a Palm user (going back to Pilot Personal). I finally upgraded my mobile (Samsung Captivate) but still carry around my Z22 PDA.

I would love to continue using my Palm Desktop for Calender and Contacts and Memos (possibly one day tasks again) but have been cautious about integrating the PDA and Smartphone, though obviously that is my goal.

I'd love to hear people's experiences and also any leads on other forums etc where this app is being discussed.

 

[garyruder]

CompanionLink Syncing Sucks

I installed Companion Link along with DejaOffice about a month ago. Palm Desktop 6.2.2 on Win 7 Ultimate machine 4 gig ram. CompanionLink Ver. 4.0 Build 4036. DejaOffice 1.11.3, HTC Thunderbolt, Android 2.2.1. While I like the interface and individual programs of DejaOffice, the syncing with my Palm Desktop (Centro) with my HTC Thunderbolt is haphazard. Sometimes it syncs. Sometimes it erases the data on the phone. Today it corrupted my Palm data - totally unacceptable. Syncing can take up to 20 minutes, although I transfer a lot of data (786 Contacts, 2471 Calendar, 114 Tasks, and 2142 Notes). The only thing that seems to work, and then not every time, is to Purge and Reload each sync specifying Palm Desktop to Android, Palm as the primary. Unfortunately, this does not permit me to enter any data into the phone and sync it back to the Palm Desktop. CompanionLink always rereads the Android Contacts with each sync, no matter what the settings. I now have to mount the SD card to get the sync to work. Initially, the first week, I was using the Charge Only setting per the website. While haphazard in transferring data, it was relatively fast and would work after one or more tries. Now it never works.

Tech support was fairly responsive initially, but as of today has not answered my pleas for help from five days ago. They have apparently written me off as another unsatisfied customer.

BEWARE. This program is buggy. I really like the interface, but the execution needs some work. Maybe not ready for prime time yet.

 

[garyruder]

USB Palm Android Finally Working

I just downloaded the update from CompanionLink 4036 to 4040. The sync now works with Palm Desktop using the Charge Only setting on the HTC Thunderbolt and specifying the sync both ways using the most current data. The sync takes less than a minute. Be sure to specify in the DejaOffice sync settings to not use the Android Contacts or it will be reading this data on every sync.

 

[doctorzeph]

Re: USB Palm Android Finally Working

I just downloaded the update from CompanionLink 4036 to 4040. The sync now works with Palm Desktop using the Charge Only setting on the HTC Thunderbolt and specifying the sync both ways using the most current data. The sync takes less than a minute. Be sure to specify in the DejaOffice sync settings to not use the Android Contacts or it will be reading this data on every sync.

Gary,

Would you recommend Companionlink USB now after the update?
You have the option for Companionlink to not sync using Android Contacts? That's what I'm looking for. I don't want any of my Palm Desktop data in the cloud.

Thanks.

 

[jlvetor123]

Been using it all along, works really clean, rarely a glitch. I still use my Palm Desktop, you have full control over what syncs and what overwrites what, etc. just like in the Palm days. Pretty mature product now. I do NOT use it thru Gmail.

I have the Epic and I tried messing with Palm desktop, Out look but after messing with gmail calendar and contacts I love them. I don't have to worry about sync. I make a change and it sync's the system. I went with Evernote free for notes and really like it. It is even easy to have your wife's phone sync with yours. Good luck.