Trae Days

So I recently re-embraced Android via the Android powered Samsung Galaxy Y Pro Duos B5512. Dual sim, Qwerty cum touch screen, and the ability to be used as a Wi-Fi hotspot straight from the box? Sorry mate, I couldn’t resist. But then came the problem of synchronizing my contacts between it and my Nokia E6 running on Symbian Belle. What follows is how I solved it. Obviously there are many other methods but this is what worked for me.

To get this done I had to have the following:
1) A laptop/desktop computer running Windows 7 and installed with Microsoft Outlook and Nokia Suite (Ovi PC Suite).
2) A USB cable (handset to laptop)
3) Internet access for handset and PC.

Step 1: I exported my contacts from Microsoft Outlook where I previously used to store them to my alternative Gmail account (Google Contacts). I used my alternative email address as the naming conventions I use on phone are different from what I use on email and I wanted to keep them so. I exported and imported in CSV format (Comma Separated value).

Step 2: Syncing my Google Contacts to the Android was way easy. By far easier than Reuben Abati writing a press release to condemn a recent bomb attack. For the uninformed Google develops Gmail and Android, that’s why it so seamless. Yes your Android device must be online to sync.

Step 3: Syncing my Google Contacts to the Nokia on the other hand wasn’t that straight forward. First of all I exported the contacts from Gmail and then imported them into Windows Contacts, all in CSV format. I then connected the Nokia to the laptop via the USB cable and using Nokia Suite I synced (having set the Nokia Suite to sync with Windows Contacts). Considering how somewhat cumbersome this is I’ll probably only occasionally update my sync; weekly perhaps. As much as I tried to find an auto alternative I couldn’t so I had to settle for this.

And there you have it, the Job’s done! I’m backed up for life as I’ll “always” have stuff online and will never lose all my contacts even if I lose my phone. Yes I can’t ever be caught saying that Nigerian cliche: “friends please resend me your contacts I lost my phone”. It’s that easy, it’s that great! Whenever I want to edit my contacts I simply do so on Google Contacts and follow up either way with the step for the Android or the step for the Nokia.

For my BlackBerry people you can use your BlackBerry Desktop Software/Manager to sync your phone with Windows contacts or Microsoft Outlook. I’m sure you know the rest. Cheers.

Update: I was finally able to get the Nokia E6 to sync with Google Contacts by creating a new mailbox of type Exchange ActiveSync (It’s the replacement for Mail for Exchange).

Email: myemail@gmail.com
Username: myemail@gmail.com
Password: my password
Domain: I left it blank
Server: m.google.com