Computing Center

Move Data Between PDAs

Hate your PDA? Change devices and take your data with you.

Feature: Moving Data Between Palm and Pocket PC Devices

A few weeks ago, I gave you some tips for choosing between Palm OS and Pocket PC handhelds. That newsletter was designed to help first-time PDA buyers make the right choice. This week's newsletter is for readers who are already using a Palm but want to switch to a Pocket PC, or vice versa. There's good news: Moving address book and calendar data--arguably, the two most important things on your PDA--is fairly straightforward. Here's how to do it.

Moving From Pocket PC to Palm

Pocket PCs use a version of Microsoft Outlook, the Windows desktop application for contact management, calendaring, to-do items, and more. Without a doubt, Outlook's address book and calendar features are more robust than the Palm equivalents.

Fortunately, migrating from a Pocket PC to a Palm OS device doesn't require abandoning Outlook. All handhelds sold by Palm include Chapura's PocketMirror, a conduit utility that syncs Outlook data with Palm's built-in programs, according to Anthony Armenta, senior product manager at Palm Solutions Group.

Ideally, you should back up your Outlook data before copying it to the Palm device. To find where your Outlook data is kept, go to File, Data File Management within Outlook. Jot the location down and close the dialog box and Outlook. Then find the Outlook file (Outlook.pst) and copy it to an external hard drive or other device.

Now it's time to install the Palm software on your Windows computer.

Insert the CD that came with your Palm device and begin installation.

You'll be asked if you want to sync your Palm with Microsoft Outlook or with the Palm Desktop program. To sync with Outlook, follow step 3; to sync with Palm Desktop, skip to step 4.

To continue using Outlook as your desktop contact manager and calendar, choose it to sync your Palm with. After your first HotSync, your Outlook data will be accessible to your Palm's built-in applications. Future HotSyncs will continue to sync Outlook and your Palm's programs. Outlook offers more database fields than the Palm programs do, however, so not all your data will carry over. For example, Outlook's Contact utility includes fields such as birthday, anniversary, and spouse's name that the Palm's Address program lacks. Some third-party apps let you carry much more of your Outlook data over to a Palm, however. For details, see "Other Options."

To export Outlook data into Palm Desktop and use that program to manage your contacts, you should still choose Outlook to sync with during the Palm software installation. This step puts your Outlook data on the Palm device after your first postinstallation HotSync, as described in step 3. The idea is to copy your Outlook data onto your Palm, then sync the Palm handheld and desktop applications. Once you've performed the HotSync and your Outlook data is on the Palm, reinstall the Palm software. This time, select the Palm Desktop as the program to sync with. Once you've finished installation and performed a HotSync, the data on your Palm will import automatically into the Palm Desktop.

Moving From Palm to Pocket PC

Right out of the box, Palm users can choose to sync their handhelds with either the Palm Desktop or Microsoft Outlook. The only out-of-the-box option Pocket PC owners have is to sync their PDA with the Outlook desktop application. (Third-party options are available, however.)

This means converting from Palm to Pocket PC typically requires you to migrate your Palm data into Outlook. Here's how:

Start by HotSyncing to back up any data recently added to your Palm. You should also copy your Palm data files (the default location is usually c:/applications/palm) onto an external hard drive, a CD-R, or another storage device.

Insert the Palm software CD and reinstall the Palm Desktop. During installation, choose Microsoft Outlook as the desktop program to which you'll synchronize.

When you finish the installation, restart the HotSync Manager. Then HotSync your Palm to import your Palm application data into Outlook.

Now insert the CD that came with your Pocket PC. Once you've installed the Pocket PC software, perform an ActiveSync to copy your Outlook data onto the Pocket PC.

The Palm to Pocket PC translation isn't entirely 100 percent. For example, Palm address book categories such as Business and Personal don't translate into Outlook. That's where third-party programs can help.

Other Options

Several third-party programs offer more robust options for moving data from Palms to Pocket PCs (and vice versa).

Chapura offers several Outlook-to-Palm software utilities, such as KeySuite 2.0 ($50), which installs Microsoft Outlook-like utilities on your Palm. PocketMirror 3.1.3 Professional ($50) adds more Outlook-like capabilities to the standard, built-in Palm apps. And PocketMirror 3.1.3 Standard ($40) offers basic syncing between Outlook and the standard Palm utilities.

DataViz's Beyond Contacts ($50) installs its own Outlook-style programs on your Palm PDA for more extensive support of Outlook fields, such as birthdays and anniversaries. You can check the PCWorld.com Product Finder for the latest prices.

Pumatech claims that its Intellisync ($70) is the only program that lets you simultaneously sync PDA data with multiple applications, such as Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express, Lotus Notes and Organizer, Symantec Act, and others. Other features include "intelligent" field mapping and custom filtering, the company says. For the latest prices, go to our Product Finder.

Notebooks & Accessories

Tip: Protect Your Privacy in Close Quarters

Start typing on a notebook and, nine times out of ten, a stranger seated near you will try to see what's on your screen. 3M's Notebook/LCD Privacy Computer Filter helps those misguided souls mind their own business. The filter slides over a notebook screen, allowing only those seated directly in front of the computer to view what's on its display.

The filter is available at Staples.com and comes in the following notebook screen sizes: 12.1 inches ($84), 13.3 inches ($89), and 15 inches ($95).

News: HP's Wide-Screen Pavilion

Hewlett-Packard's recent product-announcement blitz included the HP Pavilion Zd7000 (beginning at $1499). With its wide-screen 17-inch display, Harman/Kardon speakers, and five-format memory card reader, the notebook is designed for digital entertainment and photography enthusiasts.

News: Making Movies on the Go

Also among HP's gadget bonanza: the DVD Movie Writer Dc3000, a $400 external device that converts analog video into digital content that notebook users can burn onto DVD. The Movie Writer is the first such gadget to combine analog video inputs with a DVD+R/RW burner in an external, USB 2.0 device.

Handhelds

News: Antivirus Software for PDAs

Can your PDA pick up a virus? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. In fact, the first known virus aimed at handhelds was discovered in August 2000. With that in mind, Symantec recently announced its first antivirus software for Palm OS and Pocket PC devices. Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds Corporate Edition ($10 to $27, depending upon the licensing volume) aims to protect handhelds against viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.

News: Palm's Name Change

Palm is changing the name of its hardware division, currently called the Palm Solutions Group, to PalmOne. The idea is to better differentiate the hardware company from PalmSource, a spin-off company that focuses on developing and licensing the Palm operating system. PalmOne will incorporate Handspring, once the acquisition of its former hardware rival is complete.

News: Gateway Delays its PDA

The release of the Gateway 100X, a Windows Mobile 2003 OS-based Pocket PC and Gateway's first PDA, has been postponed indefinitely. The handheld was originally slated to be released in August.

Wireless

News: Web Access in a Limo

The list of things passengers can do in a limo that they can't (and shouldn't) do in a regular car--such as mixing drinks from a fully stocked bar--just got longer. In Motion Technology recently announced its Mobile Gateway, a 3G-based hot spot platform of wireless services and software for companies that want to provide in-vehicle Wi-Fi services. Carey Limousine plans to offer mobile Wi-Fi service on a trial basis to its limo passengers in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Suggestion Box

Is there a particularly cool mobile computing product or service I've missed? Got a spare story idea in your back pocket? Tell me about it.