View Full Version : Maemo 5 Contacts / Address Book
Address books and contacts have been a bane of my life. It can't just be me, surely, but some of my contacts are always more complicated than any software can deal with.
I've recently made a big effort to rationalise all my contacts in Thunderbird and sync that with other devices, including my n800. The address book applications in both my Nokia mobile phones really sucks and I have never tried to synchronise them with Thunderbird.
Now the n900 announcement promises this:
* Merge your phone book, Skype contacts and other contacts into an all-in-one address book.
* Always stay online - see your friends’ availability, avatars, location and mood.
* Tap your friends and select the best way to contact them: via a regular phone call, Instant Messaging, SMS, email or an Internet call.
* Synchronise your contacts to Outlook.
* Keep multiple SMS & IM conversations going and move easily between them.
Is the Maemo 5 address book going to be any good?
It appears to support every single contact field I have ever seen and then some. I don't think you'll have anything to worry about on that front.
I just hope it works better than Ovi contacts...
It appears to support every single contact field I have ever seen and then some. I don't think you'll have anything to worry about on that front.
Here's hoping. It's not the fields that are important, its the need to allow flexibility - people with two work addresses, people that share an address, addresses that dont have ZIp codes or cities, addresses where the post code doesn't go the same place as in UK/US. etc etc.
But if it's SyncML as I've read, things should be fine.
Hopefully we'll also be able to set the 'display by' field for every record, so that we can have some entries displaying by surname, and some by company name.
quipper8
2009-08-27, 16:27
But if it's SyncML as I've read, things should be fine.
The specs page say syncml only over BT or USB. That is kind of weird, but maybe it is part of the sellout to Microsoft announced recently since microsoft is really trying to make activesync the 'standard'
The specs page say syncml only over BT or USB. That is kind of weird, but maybe it is part of the sellout to Microsoft announced recently since microsoft is really trying to make activesync the 'standard'
Can confirm this, I have N900 and there is no OTA SyncML capability... This means that there is no Ovi Contacts via SyncML but Ovi is listed under the My Accounts Control Panel option. Adding my Ovi details into this didn't pull down my Ovi contacts, just my Ovi chat contacts...
Personally hoping that we will see a Google Contacts Sync client for Meamo 5 - Since Android arrived all my contacts are in Google contacts...
Can confirm this, I have N900 and there is no OTA SyncML capability... This means that there is no Ovi Contacts via SyncML but Ovi is listed under the My Accounts Control Panel option. Adding my Ovi details into this didn't pull down my Ovi contacts, just my Ovi chat contacts...
so there is as of this moment no optimal way of migrating contacts and calendar from an s60 device (synchronized with ovi) to the n900?
livefreeordie
2009-09-06, 18:04
so there is as of this moment no optimal way of migrating contacts and calendar from an s60 device (synchronized with ovi) to the n900?
This is ridiculous if true. I'm starting to understand the step 4/5 comments.
so there is as of this moment no optimal way of migrating contacts and calendar from an s60 device (synchronized with ovi) to the n900?
From s60 & s40 this is quite easy - a BT SyncML import utility - Can either import, export or sync with a device via BT.
Will check which objects can be sync'd - not got a s60 device to hand at the moment.
To synchronize Maemo 5 with the PC, there is only Microsoft ActiveSync?
Nokia think GNU/Linux users for his community but think Windows users for his customers.
This is paradoxical.
Is the addressbook based on evolution data server like before on n8x0? Then surely syncevolution should work. Anybody knows this?
Andre Klapper
2009-09-07, 09:05
Hopefully we'll also be able to set the 'display by' field for every record
Haven't seen that functionality yet. Please file an enhancement request in bugs.maemo.org if there isn't one already, plus elaborate why it can be helpful.
Andre Klapper
2009-09-07, 09:06
Is the addressbook based on evolution data server like before on n8x0? Then surely syncevolution should work. Anybody knows this?
Yes, addressbook will still be based on evolution data server as far as I know.
Can confirm this, I have N900 and there is no OTA SyncML capability... This means that there is no Ovi Contacts via SyncML but Ovi is listed under the My Accounts Control Panel option. Adding my Ovi details into this didn't pull down my Ovi contacts, just my Ovi chat contacts...
Personally hoping that we will see a Google Contacts Sync client for Meamo 5 - Since Android arrived all my contacts are in Google contacts...
No, unfortunately no syncml-over-http for the N900. So you cannot backup/restore your contacts on "Contacts on Ovi".
The setting in My Accounts for OVI is as badger says only for the XMPP-service that was formerly known as "Nokia Chat". That's not the same as "Contacts on OVI", although they are branded very similar (and hopefully those 2 services will merge in the future).
Regarding Google Contacts & Calendar: The N900 has an activesync client (called Mail for Exchange). Since Google seems to use activesync on Android, they expose Contacts and Calendar over that (settings here: http://www.google.com/mobile/products/sync.htm).
I just tried with the N900, works fine.
Yes, addressbook will still be based on evolution data server as far as I know.
Yupp, still based on evolution-data-server, so updating syncevolution should be perfectly doable. Which is a nice solution for open syncml-solutions like Scheduleworld, but unfortunately not for "Contacts on OVI".
The syncml-server username+password for the later come as part of an SMS and are thus not visible to user. At least I have not found a way to read them out, but I do not know to much about S60.
No, unfortunately no syncml-over-http ...
And via USB?
I quote myself:
Nokia think GNU/Linux users for his community but think Windows users for his customers.
This is paradoxical.
PS: No CalDAV/WebDAV compatibility?
To synchronize Maemo 5 with the PC, there is only Microsoft ActiveSync?
No, you can use the syncml over bluetooth/usb.
The device connected directly to Nokia PC Suite 7.1 - Pulled in all my outlook contacts in the same way a s60 devices does (even supported pictures)
The Meamo 5 devices have support for the same PC connectivity as s60. When plugging a USB cable, you are presented with a menu - Mass Storage or PC Suite.
ActiveSync support is OTA only.
Thanks.
But, I don't use PC Suite (it's only for Windows and proprietary).
Can I create a software to syncronise data with N900 via SyncML in USB cable?
peterjb31
2009-09-07, 12:22
Thanks.
But, I don't use PC Suite (it's only for Windows and proprietary).
Can I create a software to syncronise data with N900 via SyncML in USB cable?
Yes you can, though you may find the syncml plugin for opensync offers the functionality already (though its stability is questionable).
Thanks.
But, I don't use PC Suite (it's only for Windows and proprietary).
Can I create a software to syncronise data with N900 via SyncML in USB cable?
Not sure if the API is available for the Nokia PC Suite layer...
MaemoGuy
2009-09-07, 12:49
Hi, I don't know if this is of any help to anyone, but I was just trying out a few things with the N900 the other day and I managed to transfer all my contacts from my Blackberry Pearl 8120 (Yes, a Blackberry) via Bluetooth to the N900
All the fields transferred correctly. See screen-shots here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42299489@N08/3895673529
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42299489@N08/3896455044
But the best feature of the Contacts in N900 is that it manages all contacts from the address book and email accounts in a single place.
After setting up my Gmail account on the device and then importing the address book from Blackberry, I ended up with many cases where I had 2 copies of the same person, i.e. one contact containing only the email address and the second contact (for the same person) containing address, phone nos, birthday and other emails addresses.
But with N900, I simply have to select Merge Contact from the menu (see image here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42299489@N08/3895675969/)
and it'll allow you to select another contact and it'll merge the details of the 2 contacts and will then automatically delete the other one.
Just my 2 cents!
MaemoGuy
benny1967
2009-09-07, 12:54
One of the screenshots MaemoGuy posted above shows a "Birthday"-field for a contact.
Do the birthdays finally show up in the calendar? Or is it still the same as with S60 (no info in calendar about birthdays)?
MaemoGuy
2009-09-07, 13:16
One of the screenshots MaemoGuy posted above shows a "Birthday"-field for a contact.
Do the birthdays finally show up in the calendar? Or is it still the same as with S60 (no info in calendar about birthdays)?
Yes, it does....to my surprise, if you take a look at the screen shot of the Calendar. You'd see little icons of birthday cakes in days which have birthdays. And if you click on it, it'll show you the names of the persons/people who's birthday is on that day.
Cheers
benny1967
2009-09-07, 13:24
And if you click on it, ...
*LOL* for a second I thought you wanted me to click on your screenshot...
but thanks for sharing this information. i could never understand why my S60 phone yould let me enter a person's birthday, but doesn't show it in the calendar.
Tanks MaemoGuy for these infos. ^_^
Can I ask you something, you who have the N900?
Can you post the file obtained by this following Shell command:
dpkg -l
Thank you.
I'm also working on something to ensure your contacts are as fully populated as they can be (including birthdays) as automatically as possible.
thisandthathereandthere
2009-09-08, 03:23
I'm also working on something to ensure your contacts are as fully populated as they can be (including birthdays) as automatically as possible.
whlie your at it you could also implement a OVI/ NOKIA maps plug in. if a address is added so you could see little qudratic map as the last item on a contact list, so it won't bother attaining more imortant information. well on this you could only see where the adress is with severall streets, but if your be foot there its enough...since i am useless and cant programm even a microwave
map options maybe different Radius 100m, 500m 1Km and routing options "route me there" "route me from" "show in MAPS".
Tanks MaemoGuy for these infos. ^_^
Can I ask you something, you who have the N900?
Can you post the file obtained by this following Shell command:
dpkg -l
Thank you.
I doubt they are allowed to this right now as I'm sure that anyone that has the N900 right now is probably under NDA.
MaemoGuy
2009-09-08, 07:34
Tanks MaemoGuy for these infos. ^_^
Can I ask you something, you who have the N900?
Can you post the file obtained by this following Shell command:
dpkg -l
Thank you.
What exactly do you want to check?
HangLoose
2009-09-08, 08:38
@MaemoGuy
Does the N900 have a screenshot app?
That is so cool :P
MaemoGuy
2009-09-08, 09:31
@MaemoGuy
Does the N900 have a screenshot app?
That is so cool :P
I was using the MH Shot Tool, which I downloaded from maemo.org.
Luckily it ran without problems, unless other apps that I tried to run on the n900, like Fring, which doesn't work.
What exactly do you want to check?
To know names of all component of Maemo 5, to find her licence to know: what is FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) and what is proprietary.
Here you go.
I have old firmware and have installed some apps myself...
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=d91e04066dce70e09bf8d6369220dcabe04e75f6 e8ebb871
mbassett
2009-09-08, 12:48
Can confirm this, I have N900 and there is no OTA SyncML capability... This means that there is no Ovi Contacts via SyncML but Ovi is listed under the My Accounts Control Panel option. Adding my Ovi details into this didn't pull down my Ovi contacts, just my Ovi chat contacts...
Personally hoping that we will see a Google Contacts Sync client for Meamo 5 - Since Android arrived all my contacts are in Google contacts...
Doesn't the n900 have Mail for Exchange? My e71 is synchronising both calendar and contacts with Google using Mail for Exchange
Yes, but if you use Exchange for business and Google for personal you are screwed...
Thank you very much badger.
Have you tested the synchronization via SyncML from another software that PC Suite?
Have you tested the synchronization via SyncML from another software that PC Suite?
No - I expect you will need drivers from Nokia before being able to access the SyncML via USB...
SyncML is open and documented, it should not need drivers.
Normally...
SyncML is open and documented, it should not need drivers.
Normally...
The interfaces exposed via USB are almost identical to that of a s60 device. An s60 device needs drivers before communication over USB can be performed.
The interfaces exposed via USB are almost identical to that of a s60 device. An s60 device needs drivers before communication over USB can be performed.
Grrrrrrrr :mad:
Dead1nside
2009-09-08, 22:02
SyncML is a standard, I don't understand why syncing over the air isn't supported in either Maemo or S60.
zkyevolved
2009-09-17, 20:33
For those of you with an N900, does your GTALK stay connected? While watching some videos on youtube, it seems like it shows that you're connected and the person is connected, but until you try and send something, it says you're both connected! I find that a pain in the but :P. I'm posting it here since it's part of the contacts app ^^.
How reliable is the internet connection? in the videos the N900 kept on dropping data connections and disconnected from GTALK. Is this going to be a regular issue :S? Or should they change that "Always connected" to "Always connected (unless you get auto-kicked offline)"
Jack6428
2009-09-17, 21:00
Out of curiousity, will the N900 support PC Suite, or will there be different software so i could transfer contacts from my N70 to the N900?
zkyevolved
2009-09-17, 21:09
Out of curiousity, will the N900 support PC Suite, or will there be different software so i could transfer contacts from my N70 to the N900?
I believe I saw here they said that you can use the pc suite. Plugging it into ur usb port will trigger all the possible modes to run in. Hehe.
Jack6428
2009-09-17, 21:18
I believe I saw here they said that you can use the pc suite. Plugging it into ur usb port will trigger all the possible modes to run in. Hehe.
oh cool, that would be nice...i just downloaded the newest PC Suite 7 so all should be fine... i just wish the phone already started selling lol, waiting another month is pain..
zkyevolved
2009-09-17, 21:24
I would really like to know if it's a true "always on" device. I'd only be getting it to get away from blackberry, but I do need blackberries "always connected" mentality. From watching the videos from Nokia World, it wasn't too promessing due to the fact that it would your contact as online, and yourself as online, while REALLY being offline! That's discouraging if you ask me. But the phone looks solid :)
I would really like to know if it's a true "always on" device. I'd only be getting it to get away from blackberry, but I do need blackberries "always connected" mentality. From watching the videos from Nokia World, it wasn't too promessing due to the fact that it would your contact as online, and yourself as online, while REALLY being offline! That's discouraging if you ask me. But the phone looks solid :)
It's always online, just like previous tablets. I'm pretty sure that NW had a lot of Wifi issues from what we've heard. I'll post here if I find out otherwise.
Laughing Man
2009-09-17, 23:50
I believe I saw here they said that you can use the pc suite. Plugging it into ur usb port will trigger all the possible modes to run in. Hehe.
Ugh I tend to hate to install software to use a device (besides drivers). Hopefully we'll be able to use other software, though as long as PC Suite is multi-platform (Linux, Windows, and even OSX) and it's not terrible memory wise and all I guess I'm fine with it.
zkyevolved
2009-09-18, 06:45
Well, OK, this will be my first time with a Maemo product, but Google came out with Google Sync for my blackberry, and also had it for my Windows Mobile phones. If not, maybe you can use an app just t osync google ONCE to your device or to do it MANUALLY everytime :).
Arg I still can't decide to pre-order this device or not!!! :'( I usually wait for the first few reviews, but my Bold is dying :'( RIP Bold. lol.
Dead1nside
2009-09-19, 00:43
Ugh I tend to hate to install software to use a device (besides drivers). Hopefully we'll be able to use other software, though as long as PC Suite is multi-platform (Linux, Windows, and even OSX) and it's not terrible memory wise and all I guess I'm fine with it.
In most Nokia devices you can use USB mass storage to access the memory (and therefore put applications on it to install 'on-device'), so it doesn't necessarily need drivers.
There is no Linux PC Suite at the moment but I think they intend to make one using Qt, why wouldn't you? I believe that might be the Ovi Suite work they're doing in Beta Labs.
Can confirm this, I have N900 and there is no OTA SyncML capability... This means that there is no Ovi Contacts via SyncML
Sorry I'm new with last generation of Nokia devices. What does "Ovi Contacts" exactly refers to?
allnameswereout
2009-09-22, 09:55
Ugh I tend to hate to install software to use a device (besides drivers). Hopefully we'll be able to use other software, though as long as PC Suite is multi-platform (Linux, Windows, and even OSX) and it's not terrible memory wise and all I guess I'm fine with it.http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=331331&postcount=29
i'm saying this without any in-depth understanding of how the contacts and calendar work in meamo5, but i wonder whether it would be feasible to expect the contacts and calendar application in maemo to be ported to ubuntu? i can think of at least one pleasant use-case:
OTA syncronization of contacts, (conversation) and calendar with a desktop computer, similar to what's possible with ical on mac os x and the iphone (http://www.apple.com/macosx/what-is-macosx/mail-ical-address-book.html).
I'm also working on something to ensure your contacts are as fully populated as they can be (including birthdays) as automatically as possible.
Some screenshots of the initial GUI:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30863507@N02/sets/72157622487386764/
To do:
Manual mapping from contact to Facebook/Twitter friends
Allowing creation of new contacts (desirable?)
Automatic resyncing for profile pic changes
Prettier main screen
Package and publish beta version
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