Sync

This page will describe how to synchronize data on Maemo devices with other devices, services and desktop applications.

Contents

N900

ActiveSync

The easiest way to sync an N900 with both an Exchange server and Gmail is using ActiveSync (called Mail for Exchange or MfE by Nokia): You can more or less follow the instructions for S60 on Google Sync with the N900. In the Settings dialog, open "Mail for Exchange", and follow the instructions on that webpage.

  • MfE for Google Sync is not officially supported. It still works on some occasions but it is unreliable.

Synchronising with Google

Although synchronising contacts with Gmail is not officially supported (this discussion has more details), it is possible, and has been reported to work for many people.

The instructions for S60 sync on Google Sync work, and give the settings you need to use for MfE on the N900.

FIXME: Needs screenshots

  • In the Settings application, select "Mail for Exchange".
  • In the Credential screen of the wizard, enter your Gmail username as both your username and email address, your Google password, and leave the Domain empty.
  • In Server settings, set the server to m.google.com, and leave the defaults for secure connection and port.
  • In the following screen you can select contacts and calendar, and this will sync one of your Google calendars (the first) and your contacts, and you can set the frequency of synchronisation.

Note: If MfE synchronisation fails, try removing all items from your N900 calendar and contacts and do a complete resync sync again. After theat you kan sync like normal but do not add or edit more then 5 contacts between syncs.

Note: according to the Google Calendar and Contacts Sync thread, the free NuevaSync service is apparently easy to set up and use for Google Contacts and Calendar Sync

Note: also try this link for N900 and Maemo5

SyncML

Bluetooth / USB (native support)

The N900 provides SyncML over Bluetooth and USB but not IP.

You can synchronize your contacts from

  • Other devices (confirmed to work with most N- and E-series phones). When Contacts or Calendar application is started for the first time it automatically suggests data import.
  • PC Suite

HTTP support (using syncevolution)

Installation

Logo
  • syncevolution itself: Syncevolution itself is a command line application which allows you to synchronize contacts and calendar entries (this includes also tasks and notes) against a SyncML server. You can install syncevolution using the application manager. Please note that the Extras-testing repository has to be enabled. If you use and test the program feel free to vote for the current version.
Syncevolution frontend
  • GUI for syncevolution and syncevolution itself: For maemo there is also available a smart graphical user interface called syncevolution frontend. You can install syncevolution-frontend it using the application manager. Please note that the extras-devel repository has to be enabled.

Usage

Further information

Desktop sync

Syncing with a Mac

Using google (contacts an calendar)

  • Syncing contacts with a Mac can also be done via Google Mail. In-depth instructions can be found here.
  • Then to syynchronise calendar and contacts to your N900 from Google, follow the instructions in the Google sync section of this page

Using Funambol server or other SyncML providers (contacts only)

  • If you are using syncevolution to synchronize your data using SyncML against a SyncML provider (as described here) you can use the Funambol desktop client for MacOS to synchronize your contacts from your Mac to the same SyncML provider.

Syncing with a Windows Desktop

If you are using MS Outlook you can use the Funambol Outlook plugin to synchronize your data against a SyncML provider (as described here).

Syncing with a Linux Desktop

You also can use syncevolution. Further information can be found here.

N8x0

GPE

GPE is a suite of applications that was ported to Maemo. Search for GPE in the downloads section for your version of Maemo. (You'll probably want GPE Calendar, GPE Contacts, gpesyncd to start with.) These are standalone applications, there's no integration with the Maemo address book. You'll not find data from GPE in the Mail client or Chat. It should be possible to sync GPE directly with a Funambol server using msynctool (now osynctool).

SyncML

SyncEvolution provides support for SyncML via http. This means you can sync against services like Scheduleworld or MyFunambol on the web (more services listed here), but you can not use it to sync directly via USB or bluetooth.

The advantage of SyncEvolution is that it syncs directly to the main system database on your device, which means: phone numbers are available from the internet call application, email addresses are visible in Modest etc. Unfortunately, the latest version 0.9 is not yet available for Maemo, so you have to be content with 0.8 which lacks a graphical user interface and Google integration.

When you use SyncEvolution, you'll want a more advanced contacts application to display information like postal address or birthday. This information is synced to your device but remains invisible in the Maemo Contacts-application. Pimlico Contacts, though no longer maintained, is a working application to let you view and edit all fields. (Be warned: Pimlico contacts isn't properly hildonized and lacks a few icons. It really looks a mess, but it works.)

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