Yes, Missing Sync makes it possible (easy, even) to sync your Pre with iCal and Address Book on your Mac (I'm pretty sure that there's also a version for Windows), so long both the Pre and the computer are able to communicate via wifi (which the Pre does very well!). I haven't tried it with Palm Desktop, Entourage or any other programs.
We are in the same boat (although I paddle mine with a Treo rather than my beloved I500 these days). I use the calendar and phonebook on four computers and keep them synced by hard syncs via the Treo. Changes may be entered on any one of them or from the phone. I use the phonebook to place calls from my computer (w/o dialing) and, of course, from the phone.
While I too do not follow all the new lingo, it does not look like there is (yet) an easy solution for our usage. Give it a year or so and things might work out. ss has some work-arounds but they do not seem to really do the trick. By the time you will feel comfortable switching, maybe you will no longer be able to see the keys!!
Take good care,
B B
Dare I say that you're a good candidate for the Pre's "cloud" methodology, along with Google? Because in this day and age, I just cannot fathom having to do FOUR syncs!
For phonebook, after you get the Pre, just make sure your 4 Desktops are sync'ed (obviously), then perform the Desktop-to-Pre one-way sync. You might consider sync'ing them all to Google instead of the Palm Profile, since you're probably dependent on having the data on 4 computers (for me personally, I want all my phone stuff on my phone and that's it, I don't want it on my computers).
Of course, you'll always need an internet connection, but I'd be surprised if Google didn't already have some kind of offline option. This way you can always have your phonebook "on" ANY computer anywhere. You know, the "cloud".
As far as Datebook, that's the issue that I've addressed before using RFBackup. You could then copy the .PDB file backed up by RFBackup onto an SD card via your computer, then put the SD card into one of your old Palm devices, copy the .PDF file onto your Palm device, then Hotsync back to your desktops. Of course, this goes against the "cloud" methodology and we're back at Square One where no one has develped a suitable/fast cloud-based calendar app, so we cling to the old Palm OS's diehard PIM apps.
However, phonebook is something I've found easy to uncling to. I'm more than happy to let the Pre manage it in the cloud.
As a former devoted i500 user, I find my Pre to be a very poor substitute in terms of calendar and contacts. I love it for its screen, its access to the web and to email. I have thus far found Classic to be totally useless. Hardly any of my old Palm programs will work in Classic... or, even if they would work, the lack of the four dedicated Palm buttons means I cannot properly control the program.
I used to sync my i500 with two desktops and a laptop. Now I use the Missing Sync to sync with my single desktop (I no longer use the other). It is impractical to try to sync with the laptop... the Missing Sync software has to be married to a particular CPU to use it.
There are other programs (busy sync and address-o-sync) which will sync two computers with one another, but I find them awkward and undependable... no substitute for the old Hotsync capability.
I think you're generalizing. What old Palm programs are you talking about? Because if you are talking about any of these...
- Datebook
- Tasks
- Memos
- Phonebook (excluding any syncing or auto-dialing)
- BigClock
- FileZ
- RFBackup
...then I can't disagree with you more. They work JUST FINE for me.
IMHO, if you are an old Palm user of tons of old Palm apps, your best bet is to keep that old Palm to do what you need it do. To expect Classic or Pre to do EVERYTHING that all your old Palms used to do is a little far-fetched.
I mean, basically everything you are slamming the Pre on, you could slam on the iPhone or Blackberry or [insert smartphone here], correct?
My dear old Palm OS folks (myself included), it's over. Over! If you've got mission-critical data that's above and beyond the 4 basic PIM apps that Palm OS had, you will need to find your own way to get or keep that data, but to expect the Pre to keep doing this or that that you need WHILE providing some truly incredible phonebook, web, and multi-tasking functionality?
Slamming the Pre is an inappropriate reaction to being left behind by newer, scalable, cloud-based, OTA, and mostly better technology (with the exception of PIM apps, agreed -- but I already said Classic handles these PIM apps just fine). The Palm OS just cannot scale to become a cloud-based environment. Palm called "uncle" on that after BlackBerry and iPhone ripped it to shreds.
I am hardly slamming the Pre. It is an excellent beginning. Remember, Web OS is in its 1.0 iteration, whereas the iPhone is at 3.0 and Palm OS was at 4.0 in the i500.
But it would be nice if Web OS would allow me to search my calendar, as Palm OS did. I have no doubt that that functionality will come eventually, but it would be nice to have it now.
What I miss most about the i500 is its voice dialing capability. Oh yes, and the fact that I didn't lose all my speed dialing settings each time I synced with my computer (although I did each time I had to hard reset).
Perhaps its a sign of senility to come, but I found it a whole lot easier to verbally ask the i500 to dial home or to dial my office voicemail, or my sister or daughters or whomever, than to try to remember which letter or number I had assigned to each of them.
As for Classic, I miss, among others, CityTime and Tube 2 and my French English and English French dictionaries. I have not yet tried to port my English/English dictionary to Classic, but am not optimistic.
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