USATODAY.com review votes DejaOffice and CompanionLink as best Android Sync app for Outlook

We are thrilled to share a raving review about our Android Sync products. Marc Saltzman, writer for USATODAY.com, stumbled upon CompanionLink when his frustration with other Android to Outlook sync solutions came to a peak. He found other products to sync incomplete Outlook data or have complicated setups.

Then, he found our Android Outlook app, DejaOffice.

“DejaOffice was able to accomplish what others could not: smooth, reliable and quick syncing between Android and Microsoft Outlook.”

“You don’t need a degree in computer engineering to set it up.”

Marc hits squarely on a sensitive topic for people who used legacy phones and PDAs like BlackBerry and Palm. Traditionally, Outlook sync was an afterthought for mobile users because Outlook integration was bundled with their device purchase. Palm shipped a CD with Outlook sync software. BlackBerry included their reliable Desktop Software companion with every device.

Android buyers weren’t so lucky. During Android’s toddler years, no manufacturer bundled software for Outlook integration. Samsung, for example, has since developed a tool called Kies to address the uproar by Outlook users. However, upkeep of the tool has proved difficult and fragmented as Kies updates often break Outlook integration. The reliability of these tools also vary from device to device and are inconsistent with the Outlook fields they support because every device has different pre-installed PIM apps.

The CompanionLink and DejaOffice platform for Android really shines because it works and looks the same across all Android devices and restores reliable Outlook integration that people expect to come with their device. People are free to choose the security of USB connected synchronization or the flexibility of Cloud synchronization through CompanionLink’s secure DejaCloud service, Google or other cloud services. This allows people to customize their experience to their business requirements; something that isn’t possible with solutions like Kies.

Marc’s review emotes the frustration millions of Outlook users face when they realize their $300 phone investment doesn’t integrate easily with desktop Outlook. CompanionLink agrees that reliable Outlook synchronization should come in-the-box with your phone purchase. Until then, CompanionLink has a product that millions, like Marc, can use to turn their $300 investment into a productivity tool that works with Outlook.

Introducing DejaOffice 1.3 for iOS

The first thing you’ll notice when you open the latest update of DejaOffice for iOS is the crisp new graphics. We’ve refreshed the entire app with Retina graphics, perfect for those with the iPhone 4/4S and the new iPad. Beneath the fresh look, though, there’s even more…

Contact Photos

We’ve added the ability to sync pictures to DejaContacts. Now you’ll always be able to attach a face to the name of your next meeting. Due to the way the iPhone handles USB sync, this feature is only available when syncing via WiFi.

Category Enhancements

We’ve redesigned the categories app to make it faster and more reliable. Category colors will now sync from your computer to DejaOffice. If blue equals “Sales” on your PC, it will equal “Sales” in DejaOffice. A small improvement that makes a big difference!

A Better iPad Workflow

The process of adding or editing data has been streamlined.  We’ve made use of popovers to allow you to quickly and easily edit categories, times, dates, priorities, contact links, and more. This adds up to a more efficient workflow for you. And who doesn’t want that?

Overall Performance Improvements

Buttons are easier to tap, data loads faster, you can swipe between records from the details view, and the search function has been improved. Not only that, we’ve squashed a number of pesky bugs. Check out the full release notes for a list of what’s been fixed.

DejaOffice for iOS gets better with each new release and we’re excited for you to download this latest version! It’s free, and in the App Store today. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Full Release Notes:
+ all new and updated graphics for Retina displays on iPhone 4/S and new iPad
+ added contacts pictures to DejaContacts (currently only syncs via Wi-Fi)
+ completely redesigned categories app
+ categories now sync from PC to DejaOffice with matching colors
+ enhanced button feedback throughout DejaOffice
+ refreshed list views – load faster and more efficient, especially for large databases
+ completely redesigned search, no longer tries to search until you hit “search”
+ added Sort By Category to DejaTasks
+ add new context menu for DejaToday settings
+ added swiping between records from view/details view
+ all new logging with send database option to help with troubleshooting
+ DejaOffice now opens in landscape view correctly on first run
-fixed an issue where DejaOffice would crash on some screens in non-English localizations
+ fixed an issue where some calendar events prior to 2000 did not sync
+ fixed an issue where weekly recurring events from/to native didn’t sync with DJO
+ fixed an issue where recurring end dates were not synchronized to/from native
+ fixed an issue where tasks sync one day off in some time zones
+ fixed an issue where syncing an ampersand or tab character did not work via Wi-Fi or CLSH
+ fixed an issue where hyperlinks go away when tapping on white space
+ fixed issues syncing Other address between native Apple contacts and DejaContacts
+ fixed an issue where the Office field did not sync
+ fixed an issue where syncing yearly recurring event to native would crash
+ fixed an issue where the SMS button did not work

Sync the HTC One X with Outlook

The HTC One X has made its official debut, and it’s earning its fair share of favorable reviews. In fact, it is quickly becoming a top contender for being the best Android smartphone on the market today.

The One X features a large 4.7” screen, yet maintains a rather slim profile and, as such, doesn’t feel abnormally large. It’s a good size, overall. The 1280×720 display is also one of the best smartphone displays currently available, making interacting with the device a pleasure. It’s also loaded with a quad-core (or dual-core, if you’re in the US) processor, 1GB of RAM, and 4G LTE. In short, the One X is a big, beautiful, and lighting fast smartphone. No wonder the reviewers love it.

Of course, when it comes to syncing the HTC One X with Outlook, or any other personal or professional CRM, look no further than CompanionLink. Our sync solution is primed and ready for the HTC One X. We offer a variety of sync methods, including a revamped USB sync called DejaConnect created specifically with Ice Cream Sandwich in mind.

CompanionLink works by syncing Outlook data to our free Android app, DejaOffice. DejaOffice offers powerful, business-class contacts, calendars, tasks, memos, and more, making it ideal for those who need to get work done on the go. And when you’re back at the computer, syncing any changes back to Outlook is quick and easy.

For more information on how CompanionLink syncs the HTC One X, visit www.companionlink.com/phones/htc-one.html. And for our friends in the US, we can’t wait for the One X to land here as well!

DejaOffice On The New iPad

We’ve had our new iPad in the office for a few days now and have put it through its paces with DejaOffice and CompanionLink. I’m happy to report that everything is performing as expected. So don’t hesitate to download DejaOffice and start syncing that new iPad of yours.

On a related note, we are in the process of updating DejaOffice to take advantage of the new iPad’s Retina display. Expect a new version with crisp graphics soon!

Making Sense of Your Data

As we put more and more information on our mobile devices, it can become difficult to make sense of what’s there. Let’s face it, the smaller screens just aren’t optimized for displaying large amounts of data very effectively.

That’s why we built powerful organization options into DejaOffice. With our filtering, sorting, and grouping features, we’re able to help you make sense of your data.

Learn just how to use them in the video below, then leave a comment telling us your favorite combination of filtering, sorting, and grouping.

Introducing DejaConnect – USB Syncing Now Easier Than Ever

Syncing via USB shouldn’t be complicated.

It used to be that you could you could just plug in your phone to the computer and it would automatically start syncing. Somewhere along the way, we lost that standard.

Sure, today’s devices can sync with the cloud out of the box. That works well for some, but many of us still need the good, old-fashioned security of a USB sync. With DejaConnect USB, we’re making that sync easier than ever.

DejaConnect allows you to simply plug in your device to begin a sync. That’s it. It really can’t get much easier than that.

The first sync with DejaConnect mode requires a brief setup. After that, it’s up to you whether it syncs automatically when you plug it in, or only after you press sync. With DejaConnect, sync just happens. You don’t have to think about it, or worry if you’re doing it right. We’ll take care of the heavy lifting and let you focus on what’s important to you.

DejaConnect mode is currently in beta and is available in CompanionLink 5 build 5026 and DejaOffice 2.1.5 for Android. Download the updates today (CompanionLink | DejaOffice) to try it out for yourself. And be sure to let us know what you think!

How to Password-Protect Contacts, Calendars, & More with DejaOffice

DejaOffice makes it easy to protect your private data. With our Private Records feature, you can secure contacts, calendar events, tasks, memos, and even expenses. And it does so selectively, allowing you to secure your most sensitive data while keeping your standard data easily accessible.

Interested in learning how Private Records work? We thought you might be, so we made a video. Check it out below to get started:

How To Sync The Kindle Fire With Google

The Kindle Fire doesn’t allow you to sync your Google Contacts and Calendar, but CompanionLink does! Here’s a quick guide on exactly how to do it:

  1. Download DejaOffice for free from the Amazon Appstore.
  2. Install CompanionLink for Google on your computer. This works with DejaOffice to sync Kindle with Google.
  3. In CompanionLink configuration, select Android as your device.
  4. Select Direct USB as your sync method.
  5. Select Google as your database from the final drop-down list.
  6. Follow the setup wizard in DejaOffice and you’ll be syncing in no time.

Note: Due to the way USB currently connects to the Kindle Fire, you’ll need to follow a specific pattern to begin the sync:

  1. Connect the USB cord to your Kindle Fire
  2. Unmount the SD card via the Notification Tray on the Kindle Fire
  3. Open DejaOffice
  4. Tap Sync

That’s it! So, whether you are the proud owner of a Kindle Fire today or are hoping to get one soon, rest assured that we’ve got you covered when it comes to syncing your data!

CompanionLink for Google comes with a free 14-day trial. When you’re ready to buy, use the affinity code SYNCKINDLE and you’ll pay just $39.95. If you already own CompanionLink 5 for Google, just make sure you have the latest version by checking our updates page.

Rearranging Your Calendar Is Easier Than Ever With DejaOffice 1.12.5

DejaOffice 1.12.5 just hit the Android Market and we’ve added some great new features to both DejaCalendar and DejaContacts. We’ve also fixed some pesky bugs, which you can read about after the break. Let’s look at what’s new…

DejaCalendar

We’ve brought two great new features to DejaCalendar. If you don’t use DejaCalendar to plan weekend events, then our new 5-day week view is for you. By trimming the weekends, we have more space to display the details of your current work week. We’ve also made rearranging your schedule significantly easier. To move an event to a new date or time, simply tap and hold the event in day or week view, then drag it to your desired date and time. Try it out for yourself – it’s really easy!

DejaContacts

In addition to the calendar enhancements, we wanted to make adding contacts even easier. So we added the ability to send and receive vCards to DejaContacts. If you haven’t heard of a vCard before, think of it as a digital business card. You can simply email or text your contact information in a format that many contact applications are able to read. Sharing your information or adding contact details for a new client is now fast and easy with vCard support in DejaOffice.

If you’d like to start using these great new features, just head over to the Android Market to download DejaOffice 1.12.5 today! Continue reading

An Update On Syncing the DROID RAZR

The DROID RAZR is now available! We’ve been busy testing ours to ensure complete compatibility with CompanionLink and DejaOffice, and I happy to report that it performs as expected.

To sync the DROID RAZR with Outlook (and more), just make sure you’re running the latest version of DejaOffice (1.12.3) and connect the RAZR in “Charge Only” mode. After that, you should be set to sync.

If you’re new to CompanionLink and DejaOffice, we have some great resources to help you get started. Visit our Getting Started page to learn how to set up a reliable sync. Check out our Android Setup Guides for help configuring our software. And head over to our Support Center if you need more help getting everything up and running. Whether your a seasoned Android pro or are new to the platform, we’re here to help!

Now go on and enjoy your sleek new phone!

Backup Your Data With DejaOffice

DejaOffice now automatically creates a backup of your data for you – every time you sync!

The latest release of DejaOffice for Android (1.12.3) introduced a great new feature that’s somewhat hidden behind the scenes: automatic backup. Every time you sync your data, DejaOffice automatically creates a backup first. Since this feature has the potential to be quite useful, I wanted to be sure to highlight it here.

With automatic backups, if you accidentally delete a contact, or if your database were to somehow become corrupted, you can rest assured you have a backup to restore from. And DejaOffice keeps the 3 more recent backups, so even if you don’t notice an issue right away, you’re still safe.

To restore from a backup, just follow the instructions below:

  1. Ensure CompanionLink is not running on your PC.
  2. Connect your Android device to your PC and mount it in “mass storage mode”
  3. Open the “Computer” or “My Computer” folder on your PC, then select your device’s SD card/removable drive from the list.
  4. Browse to the “\clusb\backup” folder.
  5. In this folder, you will see a file named “companionlink<date>.db” (e.g. companionlink2011-11-04.db). This is a backup of your database prior to your most recent synchronization.
  6. Rename this file to “companionlink.db”
  7. Copy the file to the “\clusb” folder. Choose to replace the existing companionlink.db file if prompted.
  8. That’s it – your data is then restored to the date of that backup.

1: Select your SD card

5. Locate your backups

If you have any questions or feedback about our new backup feature, let us know in the comments below!

What is DejaOffice?

If you’re new to CompanionLink, you’ve probably noticed several references to DejaOffice by now. In fact, you may be wondering what exactly DejaOffice is.  Well, I’m glad you asked.

In short, DejaOffice is our free Android and iOS app that helps you get the most out of your data when syncing with CompanionLink! But it’s actually a lot more than that. Instead of reading through a long post describing the app, however, why not sit back and discover DejaOffice in just 90 seconds:

DejaOffice for Android 1.12.2 Now Available

If all the hype surrounding today’s iOS 5 release isn’t your thing, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. DejaOffice 1.12.2 for Android has just landed in the Android Market and will be in the Amazon Appstore soon. If you’ve been following along with our beta builds, this is an official release. For those who haven’t, this update brings a host of new features. I’ve mentioned some on the blog already, but I think a few of them are worth highlighting again.

Time Zone Shifting

For the world travelers our there, this feature should prove to be indispensible. The next time you change time zones, DejaOffice will ask you if you’d like to enable time zone shifting. There are three options: Yes, No, and Not Decided.

Selecting “Yes” adjusts your tasks and calendar events to the current, local time zone. This means an event at 4pm PST will be display as 7pm EST, for example. Choosing “No” ignores your current time zone. This means an event at 4pm PST will display as 4pm EST. Opting for “Not Decided” simply allows you to choose yes or no every time you enter a new time zone.

DejaToday Widget Enhancements

The DejaToday widget is now able to displays events beyond the current day. This is great for those who like to have an idea of what’s on the agenda tomorrow. To enable this feature, head into the DejaOffice Settings, choose DejaTasks, then select the number of Future Days you’d like to show. It’s that easy.

Performance & Stability Improvements

Of course, with an update this big, there’s a large number of performance and stability improvements, as well as bug fixes. We’ve worked hard to make DejaOffice 1.12.2 a great update. It’s available now in the Android Market and Amazon Appstore, so update today and start taking advantage of the new features!

For the full list of release notes, head over to the DejaOffice website. And be sure to let us know what you think in the comments below!

DejaOffice Is Ready For iOS 5

Apple’s latest mobile operating system, iOS 5, will be released any time now. With a host of great new features, including improved notifications, wireless sync, and iCloud, many users will understandably be eager to update. However, some users may hesitate, waiting to ensure their most-used apps are iOS 5 compatible.

Today, I’m happy to report that DejaOffice 1.2.5 and above is iOS 5 ready!

We’ve been testing our app on the beta builds for some time now and have not seen any issues when using DejaOffice on iOS 5. So, just ensure you’re running the latest version of DejaOffice by checking for any updates in the App Store, then go enjoy the new features in iOS 5! We’re loving the new notification system – what about you?

The iPhone 4S

Apple just wrapped up another keynote presentation unveiling their latest products. As always, there’s a lot of news to sift through. Let us save you time by highlighting the important details here!

Improved Specs

The iPhone 4S features the standard “spec” boost that we’ve come to expect – faster processer, better battery, more storage, and an improved camera. These are all welcome additions and should serve to keep you running the latest and greatest apps.

More Choices

The iPhone 4S is a “World Phone,” meaning it contains both GSM and CDMA radios. It’s also available on AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint in the US, and even more carriers abroad as well. Check out Apple’s iPhone4S page for the full details.

Near-4G Speeds

Apple touted an improved antenna design that, in a nutshell, allows them to nearly double your download speeds. The result is near-4G, though they aren’t calling it that. The iPhone 4S is still a 3G phone, though one of the fastest 3G phones around.

Voice Control

This is the biggest news from Apple’s iPhone 4S announcement. Using advance voice recognition technology, dubbed “Siri,” you will be able to listen to (and reply to) text messages, check your calendar and schedule appointments, send emails, check stocks and weather, search the web, and much more. Time will tell how well this works in the “real world,” but it has the potential to drastically enhance productivity on the go.

Final Thoughts

For now, voice control is limited to the built-in apps. Imagine, however, the potential that lies in this technology when it’s opened up to 3rd party developers, like ourselves!

Of course, we’ll need to get our hands on an iPhone 4S to test DejaOffice, but we’re confident that DejaOffice will be fully supported at, or shortly after, the iPhone 4S launch on October 14th. Stay tuned for more on that!

DejaOffice for iOS Receives Major Update

Don’t let the version number fool you – DejaOffice 1.2.6 for iOS is a major update. While you won’t notice too many cosmetic changes (yet), we’ve done quite a bit of work under the hood.

The biggest focus of this update has been DejaCalendar. We’ve completely rewritten the calendar to improve stability and sync reliability. Right away, you’ll notice a much smoother experience when using the app. This is just the beginning for us, however. We have exciting plans for DejaOffice!

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