V710 sync with T3, best data sync?

[walturbo]

Anyone know which data pilot software will work best with v710 and palm T3 combo? Can I use bluetooth or do I need usb cable? Also, I transfer to Mac (not pc) and my contacts are in Palm Desktop.
Thanks

[KenS]

I use a Mac to sync a Palm Tungsten T (precursor to the T3) and my V710. I use the T as the master copy (but you can also add a number on the phone and have it go the other way), as it's the one I update most often. Here's what I do (this assumes you've got all the latest Palm Desktop freeware installed on the Mac, and have followed Apple's instructions to configure it to use iSync with iCal/Address book instead of the equivalent Palm desktop applications; there are probably many other ways to do similar things, but this works for me).

When using iSync, remember to open each device (on the iSync control bar) and configure it, the defaults are probably not what you want.

All software (Palm Desktop, iSync, iCal, Address Book) is freeware or comes with the OS (I'm using 10.3.x).

1) I use bluetooth with the Palm (using the D-link USB dongle to give my older Mac bluetooth). I use a V710 USB cable I got from eforcity.com for $13 (the V710 can't use bluetooth due to the OBEX issue; I still have the original firmware, it's possible the new version changes that).

2) First, sync the Palm to the Mac using isync to get info into iCal and the address book. This is initiated from hotsync on the T3.

3) In address book, I have a separate group named "Phone" that is configured to sync to the 710 (so I don't load my whole phone directory there, just the active entries). I manually put any new entries I want on the phone into that group (done once per name). Similarly, in iCal both devices are configured to sync only to a "work" calendar in iCal. No manual intervention is needed with iCal.

4) Then sync the Mac to the V710 using isync. This may detect duplicates and after you resolve them, and ask you to resync. Some times I have to repeat the whole cycle. If the V710 goes to sleep you may need to flip the screen open to keep it awake until the sync finishes (I've seen odd behavior, but I haven't investigated that problem in depth).

It might be possible to connect both the T and the V710 and do this in one step, but the need to drive the Palm from hotsync and the phone from iSync makes that hard to arrange. And anyway, I'm worried about the tendency for iSync to lose track of which entry is newer, so I keep them separate and check the Mac before going to the next step.

This is not perfect. In particular, notes on calendar entries and groups on phonebook entries on the Palm don't make it into the V710. But it works well enough to keep me from spending time trying to find a better way.

By Apple's usual usability standards, iSync is a real disappointment. But it does work.

[Lexhair]

The only thing I'd add to Ken's excellent advice is if you want to get your Palm contacts into your Address Book, I'd open the Palm Desktop, drag the contacts onto the desktop which will export them as .vcf files. Then you can drag them into the Address Book. Setting iSync up for a one time hotsynch with your Palm is more trouble than it's worth.

[walturbo]

Thanks Ken, did you check out the info re: firmware update?
http://www.v710.org/forums/showthread.php?t=402

Looks bluetooth migh have some teeth.

Thanks again,

Walter

[bestbuyrep]

I just got my phone today, and bought a bluetooth dongle and hoped it would sync over BT. It would not, how can i find out if I have the most current firmware? After the firmware update will it sync with isync over BT, or only with another software program?

[KenS]

Originally Posted by walturbo Thanks Ken, did you check out the info re: firmware update?

I saw that. I'm still wating for a formal release to update my phone, but it looks like their update has what I want (unless Verizon makes Motorola yank the OBEX at the last minute): sync support. Admittedly at the cost of being able to move ringtones from the card to the phone, which is not a big deal for me, but I can see why some are annoyed by that particular change.

I have to say that Verizon's whole attitude towards this ("we sell a service that includes the phone") seems hopelessly mired in the 1970's. Isn't this how AT&T treated phones before they were forced to break up? They'd better get a clue that people want phone "service" as a component of a larger digital communications system, of which Verizon can't control every part. Or they're going to lose customers, like me, who currently prefer them because of the quality of their service.

Quality only means something if I can use their service to do what I want. And having to perform gymnastics to update my phonebook just because they want to maximize their revenue stream really annoys me. As does having to pay them to move photos from my phone to my computer. Fortunately they don't seem to have broken that part of the transflash card, but I'd like to see OBEX support for moving photos over via bluetooth, and that they don't seem willing to provide because they want to be paid for it.

I don't have to pay Palm (or Apple) each time I sync my PDA with my computer. Heck, they both give away the software needed to do it. Verizon needs to buy a clue about their role in the "digital lifestyle", or they won't have one.

Okay, enough ranting.

[KenS]

Originally Posted by bestbuyrep I just got my phone today, and bought a bluetooth dongle and hoped it would sync over BT. It would not, how can i find out if I have the most current firmware?

The current firmware is still, as far as I know, the original firmware. Under the Phone Info menu, Other Information / SW Version, you'll see 8700_01.30.8F if you have the original. The stuff being beta tested by Verizon a few weeks ago was reported to be 01.40.OR.

Originally Posted by bestbuyrep After the firmware update will it sync with isync over BT, or only with another software program?

I don't think you'd need another program, since iSync supports this model via USB today and Apple supports other Bluetooth phones via iSync. I suspect iSync will need an update to add support for sync'ing it via bluetooth though. Given how tight Apple and Motorola are acting these days, I'd expect to see one fairly promptly. Hopefully in January.