Would you believe I still have a Palm Desktop and handheld? I don't take the handheld with me anywhere, but I enter new information into its desktop companion.
I used to have a column that covered Windows Mobile's software. So for that, I had a Windows Mobile device. To avoid entering a bunch of fake information, I installed CompanionLink to sync the Palm's information with Outlook. Outlook loaded everything into the Windows Mobile device.
This set up turned out to be handier than I expected. Since many apps work with Outlook and its exported files, I could share my Outlook data with other apps and my family.
Then I bought a BlackBerry Curve, which goes with me almost everywhere. That, too, syncs with Outlook. I don't like the BlackBerry's calendar or task applications. They're cumbersome and have more features than needed. So I continue using the Palm Desktop for data entry and synchronizing its data through Outlook to the BlackBerry so I have the information with me.
As you know, Google has apps that work with the BlackBerry as well as sync it with Google Calendar and other apps. I always have Gmail open when at my computer and its Calendar interface resembles Palm's simple interface. Google Calendar Sync synchronizes Google Calendar with Outlook. I now sync Google Calendar with the BlackBerry instead going through BlackBerry desktop and synchronizing directly with Outlook.
Since Palm Desktop won't automatically synchronize with anything else (it requires exporting data), I have to let Outlook bear the brunt of the work. Sounds crazy? It works without any effort on my part. The only thing I had to do was the initial set up of CompanionLink and install Google Calendar Sync. That's it.
Need a visual aid? Here's how this triple sync system looks:
Palm Desktop --> CompanionLink --> Outlook
Outlook --> Google Calendar Sync --> Google Calendar
Google Calendar --> Google Calendar Sync --> BlackBerry
No matter what tools, software or devices you use, many synchronization applications are available that will let you use what you want or help you switch to a new system. I'm trying to let go of the Palm and use Google's app. But I don't like Google's tasks or contacts.