Beyond Contacts Offers Full Outlook Support
DataViz today announced new software Beyond Contacts(TM). Beyond Contacts is a Microsoft Outlook companion that syncronizes Outlook data for Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and Notes on your handheld.
Beyond Contacts installs its own integrated handheld applications on the handheld. By doing so, Beyond Contacts affords users several advantages. Including automatically synchronizing all of Outlook's fields to the handheld, with no custom mapping required. It also offers flexible organization, including subfolders and unlimited categories for Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Notes, a Today overview screen and the ability to create an e-mail from within a contact record or create a contact from within the calendar.
"Palm OS handheld users want all their Outlook data at their fingertips, without having to think about it," said Rob Hoxie, DataViz. "Beyond Contacts automatically synchronizes all Outlook information to the handheld, organized just as it was on the desktop. It combines the functionality of the desktop application with the simplicity of the Palm OS."
Beyond Contacts is available immediately and sells for $49.95. Special offers are available and registered Desktop To Go customers can purchase Beyond Contacts for $29.95.
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PocketMirror
RE: PocketMirror
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"Why should I care about posterity? What's posterity ever done for me?" - Groucho Marx
RE: PocketMirror
Its great program and you have outlook sync and "agendus" clone here.
DocumetsToGo, InboxToGo and Beyond Contacts its a must have but hope some day for smaller price?
RE: PocketMirror
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"Why should I care about posterity? What's posterity ever done for me?" - Groucho Marx
RE: PocketMirror
Is this a good thing??
Cheers,
RE: Is this a good thing??
checked it out - no thanks
It seems to NOT use the core Palm data as its data source (yes, I know - it uses Outlook, but just about every other program like Agendus, which I use, and dateBook X use the palm databases). From what I can tell, Beyond Contacts operates outside the Palm hotsync backup and restore functions, which is one of the best aspects of the entire Palm OS experience. The reason I think it doesn't use the core Palm databases as its data source is that when installing the product, you have to pull the data from Outlook to populate the app (rather than using the existing Palm data). I just did a trial install on my Treo300, and the handheld app contained no data in it until after the second HotSync pulls data out of Outlook into the app.
I might be wrong, but I took that to mean that unlike Agendus and the others, this app does not use the core Palm databases as its data source. This may not be a big deal, but I really want to keep things simple on my handheld. I like the security (comfort?) of knowing that all my data gets backed up with each HotSync (no flames about backup buddy, pls - I replaced my treo300 recently, and ALL data other than hacks were up with no issues), and that there's only one source for my data. And I use Outlook to sync with, with FusionOne as my go-between.
Don't get me wrong - it looks cool, and was tempting enough to get me to run a quick trial, but as soon as I could tell that Beyond Contacts operates outside the core Palm databases, I had to bail. If my info is wrong, and someone else knows something I don't, please correct me. NR.
I've confused myself
My point is that Agendus (which I use) and the other programs like that use the core palm databases as their source. I don't
RE: checked it out - no thanks
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"Why should I care about posterity? What's posterity ever done for me?" - Groucho Marx
RE: checked it out - no thanks
The other Outlook "clone" KeyContacts from the people that make your Pocket Mirror don't use the built in databases either.
If you think about this and use your noggin a little, you would understand how it would be impossible for either one to use them. The built ins have a very limited field set. If you are going to accomodate all or most of Outlook's fields, you will HAVE to use another database.
It's not a negative thing that these programs use their own databases, it's a natural necessity of what they are doing.
Panagiotis
As an aside, I don't understand this kind of complaint. For years people have complained about the limits of the built in programs. Sure there are other programs like DateBK or Agendus, but they are just a new face on the same old problem. Now we have two companies that are doing something positive and productive about it and what happens? People complain because companies are doing just what they have wanted!! Maybe some people should keep their pacifiers in their mouths and stay quiet.
Yes that's nasty, I'm just tired of the whining.
RE: checked it out - no thanks
Whining? don't think so
I'm tired of people whining about whiners. Now I AM whining - make it stop!! aaaaaaiiieeee
RE: checked it out - no thanks
If this works as well as I'm hoping, I'll be more than happy to remove the builtin programs w/ all their data to free up memory for this. I won't miss them one little bit.
Panagiotis
bad - ?
Dang it - I've lost my pacifier. Have to go get a new one now.
RE: checked it out - no thanks
>>It sounds like the programs like Agendus and DateBk are just as "bad" as Beyond Contacts and KeyContacts. They use their own database to hold information not accessible anywhere else.
Not quite so--these db's are only for program-specific prefernces, not for the actual data.
>>If this works as well as I'm hoping, I'll be more than happy to remove the builtin programs w/ all their data to free up memory for this. I won't miss them one little bit.
Sorry--you can't delete these apps from memory. For one thing, they are in ROM and have absolutely no affect on how much memory you can free up.
I don't want to sound unkind, and I'm sorry for the limitations of the written word, but it perhaps would be better if you were a little more informed on a topic before being so quick to be critical of others. We can all enjoy civilized and informed comments, observations, leads, and opinions on this and other forums.
For the record, Panagiotis, I did not find nrosser's remarks to be whining at all. Nrosser gave a valuable observation for those who might be novice users. And for those like me, who are power users, it was an excellent heads-up.
Thank you, nrosser, for bringing this up. It is a serious factor in consideration of purchasing this product.
--Brad
RE: checked it out - no thanks
RE: checked it out - no thanks
oh I get it... Dataviz wants you to by ALL their products that talk with each other ONLY... Now why does that sound familiar? Totally goes against the Palm philosophy in my opinion.
RE: checked it out - no thanks
You said:
>>It sounds like the programs like Agendus and DateBk are just as "bad" as Beyond Contacts and KeyContacts. They use their own database to hold information not accessible anywhere else.
Not quite so--these db's are only for program-specific prefernces, not for the actual data.
It goes a little further than preferences. Additional data is in these databases. Things like extra fields, links between records, etc. This is useful DATA not accessible anywhere else.
You said:
Sorry--you can't delete these apps from memory. For one thing, they are in ROM and have absolutely no affect on how much memory you can free up.
Yes they are in ROM. Yes you can remove them. For several years, Jack Sprat has allowed you to remove programs in ROM and JackFlash to use that memory.
You also said:
... perhaps would be better if you were a little more informed on a topic before being so quick to be critical of others.
Perhaps YOU should be informed before being critical. Jack Sprat / Flash is VERY old news. Your "attempt" at diplomacy is a little silly in light if your mistakes.
Panagiotis
RE: checked it out - no thanks
Yes, but you are still talking about proprietary info. The raw data is still the Palm core db.
>Yes they are in ROM. Yes you can remove them. For several years, Jack Sprat has allowed you to remove programs in ROM and JackFlash to use that memory.
Ah, yes. My mistake. However, not everyone owns Jack Sprat and for those of us who don't, your point of deleting the apps bear no relevance.
>Perhaps YOU should be informed before being critical. Jack Sprat / Flash is VERY old news. Your "attempt" at diplomacy is a little silly in light if your mistakes.
Well, I disagree with you on this. As I've pointed out, Jack Sprat has no relevance for those of us who do not own nor use it. But now this is turning into arguing and THAT is what is silly. I'm glad there is a product that fits your needs. Who knows?--it may fit mine, too, one day.
Best wishes,
Brad
Backup-
This whole debate is sort of pointless. If you really need or want complete Outlook functionality, this is the program for you. If you don't, then you're already happy with regular Palm apps or one of the add-ons that utilize the Palm databases.
This is also a good way to get beyond the 4K limit in Palm notes (obviously, only if you run up against it. No need for 'why do you need that?' type posts.)
RE: checked it out - no thanks
My initial reaction was, wow, they did it. And, why hasn't Microsoft decided to offer it's wares on different operating systems like they did with Apple. Hubris.
Now, on to the details. I like KeyContacts better than the Beyond Contacts address book. I like the one button navigation, it's ease of search, and sorting options.
I like Datebk5 better than the Beyond Contacts address book. Datebk5 has a great developer, who is very responsive to suggestions, the software itself allows you to view the calendar in a spiffy small type mode (helpful in week mode), has icons, nice integration with the split screen, etc.
Beyond Contacts is really great when you consider it does well at integrating the three other apps: Tasks, Notes, and Inbox. I don't have great solutions for any of these right now, although I am using the DataVizMail. I wonder if I can just use the Beyond Contacts stuff for Tasks and Notes.
Beyond Contacts also seems to do a good job at giving you familiar options out of Outlook menus like the ability to send an email from within a contact. It's all very Microsoft, but better than their Pocket PC offerings.
So, I am going to stick tight with DateBk5 and KeyContacts for now. The Chapura folks are behind on their suite version (summer) but it might be a better solution for me personally.
Overall, I can see how many folks will buy Beyond Contacts for fairly seamless integration of Outlook. For folks like me who have other apps already, it may not be the best solution.
Just my two cents.
RE: checked it out - no thanks
Memory: The program is very memory hungry. I lost a couple of Meg (but I keep a long history of entries – hey I’ve been using Palms for over 5 years!)
Speed: Unbelievably slow. I have a T/T but it runs slower than my old Palm III. Is it just me or does it take everyone a few seconds for the month view to refresh. And don’t get me started on the 5 second delay on the Today screen. Perhaps all the guys raving about it only have a few month’s worth of records.
I can see absolutely no benefit in using this over any of the fine datebook offerings out there coupled with Pocket Mirror. Sure you miss out on a couple of (cough* cough* useless) fields such as ‘birthdays’ and ‘spouse’ and ‘% complete’ – give me a break. There are a dozen ways of recording this info without loading this bulky app. But that’s what the custom fields are for. While I’m on the topic – what’s the point of recording a birthday date in contacts if it doesn’t show up on the calendar? Perhaps I’m missing something here?
I am also faced with the proposition of having to keep double entries. A very simple example – SMS uses a lookup function which references the Palm Addressbook but NOT BC. Wordsmith provides rich text formatting for Palm memos – but now I have BC Notes as well. I use Versamail cause it’s free – once again a lookup will reference the PalmDB not BC – I tried InboxToGo and didn’t like it.
I sit the T/T on my desk and switch between apps constantly using Button Launch (freeware). I expect a T/T to provide an instant response. For most apps this is true. Sorry but Beyond Contacts does not deliver. I’ve seen this sort of refresh on a PPC and laughed at it.
RE: checked it out - no thanks
When you sync, the native PIM databses first get updated and then the BC databases get updated.
Understandibly, they HAVE to have some place to put the extra Outlook data, but the main problem I have is that they are separate databases, so if you use any other apps that use the native PIM databases, the changes won't reflect "live". You must wait until the next HotSync to get everyting synced back up.
If you switch entirly to BC, then it's really a non-issue, but if you don't, then I foresee many problems.
It's a GREAT program, but it's pretty much Microsift in mentality: All or nothing. It takes over all the buttons (which you can, admittedly, change later) and because its databases are separate, you really need to use NC exclusivly.
High Rez
It will be hard to beat agendus in it's views and icons but the ability to integrate all the info on the contacts into the palm is intriguing.
RE: High Rez
On views, I think it does a much better job than the standard Palm applications in its use of color and icons, while it's not over the top nor does it change the layout of the traditional programs too much. My impression is that in general, views and icons are more "business" orientated than agendus (no dumb happy faces).
I like it so far. It's at least worth giving it the free 30 day trial (no dumb "This is a trial version" screen at start-up either).
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"Why should I care about posterity? What's posterity ever done for me?" - Groucho Marx
This is soooo long overdue!
I have always wondered why there wasn't a product that did this level of syncronization with Outlook. It really is long overdue.
I'll try it out very soon and I'm sure I'll find quirks and issues with it and I'll want it to do things it can't. But it does things I can't do right now, and that makes it a good product right from the start.
RE: This is soooo long overdue!
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http://www.wehrungonline.com/palmos/
Buggy
1. From the Palm Address Book when I look up a contact, I can launch SMS application directly. BC does not have that option. If it did, it's not at the same place as the Palm Address Book.
2. Make lots of free memory before synching DataVis Mail. It worked fine. Easy to install. Unlike VersaMail, I was able to make this one to sync very easily. However, I will download all your email attachemets into Document To Go so you can view the attachments while reading your emails. This takes up lots of memory. First time I synched, it chewed up all of my 2MB of memory and caused problems.
3. I ended the evaluation when the apps started to crash. First To Do List die, then Memos, Contacts and Mail. Basically, after they died, I see no contents in that module. So I deleted it and brought back they original PIM. This was the second time I had to delete it.
4. Contact Search - in PPC, the search is smarter. You can enter First name or Last name, it'll find a match as you enter the characters. BC search is the same as the Palm Address Book. If it is sorted by Last name then you search by Last Name.
I liked some of the features and the better integration with Outlook. But it is not stable. I cannot trust it. Pass.
RE: Beyond Contacts Buggy
Downloads and installs no problem. The latest version 3.001 looks even better then 3.000. However both crash with a fatal error message when you pick the calendar option. So far not a response from the support team , await a fix soon. Otherwise will have to ditch this promising.
Incidentally, Inbox email is imported but not the subfolders. Shame
Two Environments on your Palm?
- Lotus Notes for E-Mail
- Palm Desktop for To-Do's, Addresses, Appointments, Memos
- Outlook for the E-Mail, To-Do's, Addresses, Appointments, Memos at the client site.
I have everything pretty much under control with a combination of the new 2.5 version of VersaMail (Integrates my Lotus Notes, Corporate Outlook, and my wireless POP3 account) and the standard Palm Apps.
What falls short are the Outlook To-Do's, Addresses, Appointments, Memos.
My question: Does Beyond Contact install in addition to the Palm Desktop apps?
Which means, that everything sync's the way I am used to, PLUS I will have a separate Application for Outlook?
If yes, that would one of the best news ever!
Please let me know.
RE: Two Environments on your Palm?
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"Why should I care about posterity? What's posterity ever done for me?" - Groucho Marx
RE: Two Environments on your Palm?
- Palm Desktop for my private Stuff
- VersaMail 2.5 for
- Lotus Notes Corporate Email via Sync
- Outlook Corporate Email via Sync
- POP3 Wireless Email
- Beyond Contacts for Outlook Contacts, Calendar, Tasks, and Notes
It's really amazing. Exactly what I was looking for a long, long time!
RE: No Mac Support?
Did they develop this in house or purchase it like Smartlist to Go? If purchased, that might explain the lack of support.
You might want to go here to request Mac support. This is where they send you from the FAQ to suggest new features.
http://www.dataviz.com/eforms/feedback/generalfeedback.html
Panagiotis
Unable to sync w/ two computers?
http://support.dataviz.com/support.srch?docid=12846&pid=112&catid=1012&subcatid=1002
IMO, this makes it awkward to position BC as an alternative for DTG as I'm sure many customers sync with two computers (typically at work and at home).
RE: Unable to sync w/ two computers?
Tried it, but didn't like it
1) respond and send meeting addresses
2) sync mail faster (too slow with attachments or many mail messages - ie 500+)
However, this app is too flawed for me to use. I am an Agendus fan (DateBK4 is nice too - just prefer Agendus) and I lose way too much.
1) No small fonts. I can't even read the contacts list. If you sort it by company, you have to open every contact within a company to see if it is the one you want. Totally unusable.
2) Attaching contacts to a meeting is clumsy compared to Agendus
3) Too many tabs and scrolling down data input screens for contacts, notes and meetings. Yeah - just like Outlook or the PocketPC. Too many clicks to do what you want.
3) Still uses Dataviz mail which is slow to sync and can't put attachments on the SD card (a ridiculous flaw considering Docs To Go can do it).
Great idea. Not well executed.
Back to Agendus I go....
Claire
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It's about time
I wonder if it supports multiple e-mail accounts the same way Outlook does and, if so, will it let me sync my hotmail account?
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"Why should I care about posterity? What's posterity ever done for me?" - Groucho Marx