Synchronizing two devices to the same Palm Desktop

[dgvetter]

My wife and I each got a Palm 700p for Christmas. Since our lives overlap so much, we would like to be able to sync each device to the same Palm Desktop, where we intend to store our contacts, calendar items, etc. We will use categories to separate my own contacts, calendar items, etc. from those that are specific to my wife and from those that are common to both of us. This approach should allow my wife and I to integrate our lives more seamlessly. For example, she could add items (such as family events) to our joint calendar while I'm at work. Then, when I come home from work, I could simply sync up with the Palm Desktop on our home computer to have the most up-to-date family calendar, contact list, etc., and at the same time download all of the contacts, calendar items, etc. that I accumulated that day at work. If this isn't possible, would it be possible for my device to sync with both my desktop and that of my wife? I've already figured out how to create additional users within the Palm Desktop. However, I can't figure out how to sync my device with my wife's user account. But once again, the first solution I proposed of having a single shared Palm Desktop would be preferable.

[forgot]

Hmm...haven't heard of any way to sync two seperate device's (users) to one user account. What a great idea though! The only other option I can think of would be to try a shared internet calendar. You can sync to Google Calendar over the air, but I belive the product is still in beta (I might be wrong!). This would allow you to create one user account for your family, and then have access to it from any internet capable computer. You could then sync your calendar to the Google calendar wirelessly. Let us know what ya think!

[dgvetter]

Okay...so I've managed to figure out how to sync two devices to the same Palm Desktop user account. If you give each device the same name, they'll both sync to the same Palm Desktop user account that bears that particular name. You can easily change your device's name by deleting its existing name, which you created for it during the inital setup phase. There's a trick to doing this by typing three specific characters in the Memo application. You can find instructions for deleting your device's name in the Palm Knowledge Library on Palm's website. Once you've deleted your device's name, the device will assume the name of the user account that you have open on your Palm Desktop the next time you sync the device.

On a separate note, I was intrigued by your idea to sync with Google Calendar. Is that possible with a Palm Treo 700p? I am a big fan of Google Calendar. I have read about the new downloadable Gmail Mobile Application. Have you had success downloading this application on your device? Does this application also allow you to view a mobile format of your Google Calendar? I understand that one first needs to download Java Virtual Machine to be able to download the application. Can you tell me where I can find this application for my particular device? Thanks for your great suggestion!

[comiken205]

I too have the 700P. Last time I checked, the down loadable gmail app is not compatible with our devices. But, you can have your e-mail client i.e. versamail set up to retrieve your gmail. That is what I use.

[dgvetter]

Actually, I just managed to successfully install the Gmail Mobile Application on my Palm Treo 700p. If you go to Google Groups, and type, "gmail mobile application Treo" into the search box, you'll find a thread with detailed instructions on how to install the application. (I also saw instructions in one of the threads for intalling it on a Palm Treo 700wx.) The Gmail Mobile app interface seems very clean and the application contains a few more bells and whistles than the Versamail Gmail interface contains. For example, I can perform a keyword search within my mailbox.

On a separte note, I'm hearing rumors that Google is working on a similar mobile app for Google Calendar, which is what I'm really interested in. I like Google Calendar's capability of allowing you to overlay multiple calendars from multiple users over the internet to generate a single calendar containing everyone's calender items. Google Calendar also allows me to maintain my privacy by enabling to prevent others from viewing some or all of my own personal calendar items. This is a brilliant concept, in my opinion, as it allows me to sync up my schedule with the schedules of other people with whom my schedule overlaps. I would love to have the ability to use this application on my mobile device, or have the ability to sync the default calendar app on my Palm with Google Calendar. For now, I'm going to use the calendar on my Palm as I hate maintaining multiple calendars. If anyone knows when Google intends to lauch a mobile version of Gooble Calendar, please let me know.