2. Of course there’s a built-in method to sync Google Calendar to Symbian^3 smartphones, it’s called Mail for Exchange, an implementation of Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync protocol by Nokia. But in my experience, it drains battery faster, not in a significant amount but my experience taught me that leaving Mail for Exchange in the background to sync data, does have an impact on battery life.

3. So, if Google Calendar is very important to you, and you dont want to use Mail for Exchange (for whatever reasons), what will be the options? To sync Google Calendar to your Symbian smartphones?

4. There are a couple of methods, free and paid. You can use GoogaSync, an app that syncs multiple Google Calendar to Symbian smartphones. Or you can use GooSync, a paid service that utilises SyncML capabilities. Or you can choose Memotoo, another powerful commercial solution which also uses SyncML.

5. But they are all commercial, either one-off payment or annual fees.

6. So, how? Isn’t there any free solution to sync Google Calendar to Symbian smartphones without using Mail for Exchange?

7. Before I proceed, please take note that I am not a Windows person. Yes. I’m aware that there are methods to sync calendar to PC or Mac (which syncs to Google Calendar) via Bluetooth or USB cable but I’m not going to write about that. I want to sync Google Calendar to my Symbian smartphones without using any intermediary local agent or PC. In a nutshell, cloud-synching without PC.

8. After digging, and googling, not to mention testing one after another, I came accross a free service offered by Lorenc Consulting Inc. It is called SyncMe.

9. You can visit the website http://www.syncme.se to find more information.

10. This is the method that I use to sync my main Google Calendar (I use Google Apps For Domain) and it works without problem. I dont have multiple calendars, nor using complicated calendar functions such as invitation, or adding recipients. I also dont use Tasks (todos). My calendar is simple. It’s a place for my appointments and meetings, reminders and some important notes.

11. This method has been tested to work on Symbian^3 smartphones namely the N8 and the E7. It might or might not work with older Symbian smartphones.

***DISCLAIMER***

If you are worried about submitting information to 3rd party service provider who lives 3 million miles from you, then DONT use this service. We at i-Symbian.Com are not responsible for any data loss or any other bad consequences if you use this method.

Step 1

Go to Settings – Connectivity – Data Transfer – Sync

Step 2

Options – New Sync Profile

Step 3

Write the name of this sync profile. I use Google Calendar. You can use whatever name you want.

Step 4

In Server Version, select 1.2

Step 5

In Applications in Sync, select “Calendar” only.

Step 6

In Calendar database, write Calendar with Capital C.

Step 7

In Data bearer, choose Internet

Step 8

In Host address, write https://syncme.se (Note the https)

Step 9

For Server ID, write syncme.se

Step 10

In the Username field, write your Google username. It’s your full Gmail address. Something like yourname@gmail.com. If you are a Google Apps For Domain user like me, write your full email address . After that, click Next.

Step 11

Write the password for your email address that you use in Step 10.

Step 12

Click Next. It will notify you to Activate the profile you just created. Select Yes if you want to. Otherwise, select No.

You are almost done. If you want to activate automatic synching, you need to configure the auto-synching parameters. Please refer to my previous article, jump to number 16 to set auto-synching.

Done!

Remember, only one Sync Profile is allowed to use auto-synching. For me, I set my Google Calendar to sync automatically using this method because I am more comfortable to check and enter my appointments and calendar entries using my trusty Symbian smartphones. I move around a lot. I sync my contacts manually once in a while if there are changes I made to my contacts database.

There you go. A free method to sync Google Calendar using SyncML to your Symbian smartphones. If you have tried this, share with us your experience.

Cheers!

@asrialbaker

2. Knowing that Nokia/Symbian devices are also using an internet browser based on WebKit, I thought, maybe I could try…

3. With my limited HTML skill, I wrote this very simple WRT Widget to launch Gmail iPhone web interface on Nokia/Symbian built-in Web browser, without the need to enter the long URL. Just click on the icon and the page will be opened. It’s just a shortcut to the correct Gmail GP (Grand-prix : the codename for Google iPhone interface) URL.

4. It is compatible with WRT enabled devices only (S60 3rd Edition FP1, S60 3rd Edition FP2, S60 5th Edition and Symbian^3). The screenshots below was taken from Nokia N8.

5. If you use supported Symbian devices from Samsung or Sony Ericsson, you can tell us whether it works or not

Enjoy! Oh!… It’s free… as in air, and seawater

Instruction :

1. Download the ZIP file from : Our Download Page

2. Please extract the ZIP file, there’s a “Gmail.wgz” file inside. Transfer it to your device and install.

2. You can also use Opera Mini, Opera Mobile and also other 3rd party internet browsers such as Skyfire, as well as Bolt Browser, and Ozone Browser.

3. Another way to view Gmail is by using the Messaging application, using POP3 or IMAP. And also Nokia Messaging, as well as other push email solutions like System Seven and Emoze.

4. There’s also an official J2ME Gmail client. A capable solution which supports multiple Gmail and GAFYD accounts in one place. But it’s Java.

5. Last but not least, those who want to experience Gmail using Exchange protocol, can use Mail for Exchange or RoadSync.

6. For viewing Gmail using internet browsers, normally it will default to the simplified mobile version which doesnt have many functions, but if you are one of the warriors out there who likes to explore and do things differently, there’s another way to view Gmail.

7. Viewing Gmail, as it appeared on iPhone is an alternative. A cool alternative I can say. This is because it is different than the mobile version. It is designed more intuitively and looks slicker.

8. All you have to do is to use the following URL on the address bar, and you will get the iPhone view :

For normal Gmail : http://mail.google.com/mail/x/gdlakb-/gp/

For Google Apps For Domain : http://mail.google.com/a/yourdomain.com/x/gdlakb-/gp/

9. I know, some of you will just say “I dont need this”… or maybe “I knew it years ago”…

10. For me, sometimes, when things didnt work as expected, I have to use alternative ways to do my stuff. This is one of them.

11. And recently, on Symbian S60 3rd Edition smartphones, Opera Mobile has been a great overall browser compared to the abysmal-half-hearted-stupid-and-clumsy built-in S60 Web.

12. Viewing Gmail iPhone version on Opera Mobile is easier and better than using S60 Web. It loads faster, the display and Javascript functions all work beautifully and did I say fast?…

13. What do you think? Have you tried viewing your Gmail this way?

2. This is the version that can be installed to any Nokia S60 3rd Edition smartphones (older ones) to experience pseudo push email from different accounts.

3. I have used Nokia Messaging since it’s beginning accross different devices (E61, E61i, E71, E90, E63) and the current version is almost perfect for my needs.

4. It fetches email without me telling it to do, it syncs my read status, and I can remotely manage my emails without powering on my laptop.

5. I have used many email solutions for Symbian in the past like Profimail (it’s a great software, but not my cup of tea), System Seven (another excellent product, but also not my cup of tea), Emoze, the built-in S60 Email/Messaging and I can say at the moment, I prefer a combination of Nokia Messaging (multiple emails support) and RoadSync (to sync my GMail & PIM). Oh, and the setup is a no-brainer, just remember your email address and password

6. One of the highlights of Nokia Messaging is the online account management at http://email.nokia.com.

7. In the web interface, you can define your email addresses to be used in Nokia Messaging client on the phone.

8. It is very handy especially if you change phones a lot (Nokia Symbian S60 3rd Edition and 5th Edition only). Because once you have everything configured, you only need to enter your Nokia Messaging userrname and password on the new phone and all your email accounts will appear inside Nokia Messaging client automagically. No more messing with POP server, IMAP folders and Secure Logins, those stuff. Nada. Zilch!

8. On the client itself, Nokia Messaging version 9.6.0.12 is really improved compared to the earlier versions.

9. I like the ability to view email body in HTML format. Finally!

10. I can also define which email address I want to use to send email out.

11. And there’s the Standby Screen plugin which gives a summary of the inbox contents for a quick glance.

12. As a mobile email client, Nokia Messaging comes pretty handy and delivers what it should.

13. There’s always room for enhancement. For example, the font can be made adjustable. Sometimes it’s pretty hard to read the email list because the font is too small: or maybe because I’m old already? HAHAHA!

14. It will be great too if Nokia Messaging can be optimised and uses less resources. On phones with limited RAM, it suffocates or doesnt work at all.

15. I really hope and wish Nokia will continue polishing Nokia Messaging in the future and bring it to the new Symbian UI. Please Nokia, dont you N-Gage Nokia Messaging

- Asri al-Baker