iOS5 Reminders

[Simon_y7]

If anybody has tried this, how exactly does this sync with the MS Outlook? Does it require the Exchange? Is syncing via USB an option? Thanks.

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[Marcitz]

If anybody has tried this, how exactly does this sync with the MS Outlook? Does it require the Exchange? Is syncing via USB an option? Thanks.

It doesn't work well. It requires exchange and can't be done via USB. It also fails to capture categories and for some unexplained reason copies down completed tasks and can't handle recurring tasks. I was so bummed because iw really wanted to get rid of my blackberry for an iPhone but am heavily dependent on tasks and don't want to rely on a fly by night app from a third party vendor. The one thing blackberry does well is manage tasks and I had hoped reminders would finally allow me to switch... No such luck.

[Tyreless]

There is a better way. You need to install iCloud for Windows (available from the Apple web site). Install it, run the setup (it takes time) and your Reminders are synced with Outlook. You can also sync your calendar and contacts this way.

You need Windows 7 or Vista and Outlook 2007 or 2010.

Cheers,

Geoff aka tyreless

[Tyreless]

There is a better way. You need to install iCloud for Windows (available from the Apple web site). Install it, run the setup (it takes time) and your Reminders are synced with Outlook. You can also sync your calendar and contacts this way.

You need Windows 7 or Vista and Outlook 2007 or 2010.

Cheers,

Geoff aka tyreless

Spoke too soon. New Tasks and New Reminders are not being synced to Outlook.

[VTR]

G'day & Welcome to the forum!!!

[Simon_y7]

It doesn't work well. It requires exchange and can't be done via USB. It also fails to capture categories and for some unexplained reason copies down completed tasks and can't handle recurring tasks. I was so bummed because iw really wanted to get rid of my blackberry for an iPhone but am heavily dependent on tasks and don't want to rely on a fly by night app from a third party vendor. The one thing blackberry does well is manage tasks and I had hoped reminders would finally allow me to switch... No such luck.

This is exactly what I feared. I've wanted to migrate from BB for a long time, but neither iPhone, nor Android allowed to sync with Outlook fully and correctly. So, I got exited about the iOS5 Reminders. Sadly, same thing. I don't understand how Apple and Android wish to market their phones to the business community without such a basic, essential functionality. Back to BB, at least for now.

[Simon_y7]

It doesn't work well. It requires exchange and can't be done via USB. It also fails to capture categories and for some unexplained reason copies down completed tasks and can't handle recurring tasks. I was so bummed because iw really wanted to get rid of my blackberry for an iPhone but am heavily dependent on tasks and don't want to rely on a fly by night app from a third party vendor. The one thing blackberry does well is manage tasks and I had hoped reminders would finally allow me to switch... No such luck.

If this is any consolation, check out the new iPhone called, I think, Blackberry to iPhone. Supposedly, transfers everything one has in his BB.

[Marcitz]

Ok so actually there is something that does work but it's a bit kludgey. Turns out that when you set up iCloud on your desktop it creates a whole new folder in outlook that has the bi directionally synced tasks. A few caveats. First you can't get those to show up in your "to do bar" on the right is you use that. Apparently, at least in outlook 2007, that can only contain tasks from your default outlook folder. Also, and I haven't tested this enough yet but it feels like when you create a task on the iPad you set a "reminder" date but when you create one in outlook it is a "due date" and that seems to make some sort of diference but I haven't figured out what that is yet.

[Tyreless]

Ok so actually there is something that does work but it's a bit kludgey. Turns out that when you set up iCloud on your desktop it creates a whole new folder in outlook that has the bi directionally synced tasks. A few caveats. First you can't get those to show up in your "to do bar" on the right is you use that. Apparently, at least in outlook 2007, that can only contain tasks from your default outlook folder. Also, and I haven't tested this enough yet but it feels like when you create a task on the iPad you set a "reminder" date but when you create one in outlook it is a "due date" and that seems to make some sort of diference but I haven't figured out what that is yet.

Thanks Marcitz. I now see that it does work (with the caveats you mention). It is kludgey but it is better then my previous solutions which would only update between devices every 15-30 minutes. Via iCloud it happens within a minute usually.

I found a trouble-shooting web page that might help others: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4000

[peterpk85]

We can sync MS outlook to mobile with some third party apps like OutlookReflex, Deja office and arrowbit. These apps doesn't need any USB cables to syn outlook emails.