Gmail Contacts sync option on MTN BIS

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noonoofish

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Hi, when I edited my GMail account through my PC's browser (logged onto mtn.blackberry.com) I can see and tick the option "Synchronize Contacts" but when I save the setting I will get the error message "An error occurred during email account validation" and naturally no sync action.

I also noted the message window displayed "https://bis.eu.blackberry.com/" on the message windowframe.

When I edit the same GMail account setting through my device then the "Sync Contacts" option is not there for me to tick.

So I like to know:
1) if any one experienced the same issue?
2) I know from various posts stated this is a new feature only introduced by RIM late last year, so does that mean MTN does not support Gmail Contacts sync (as yet)?
3) Will you say Google Sync is my best choice if I want to sync my Gmail contacts and google calendar?

I have a Bold 9700, T-Mobile OS v5.0.0.442 (Platform 5.1.0.121). BIS working fine on MTN with all my emails boxes.

thanks guys. :)
 
Do NOT use gmail contact sync from BIS! It's deeply broken, it has nothing to do with MTN just don't use it (if you're curious then make sure you've backed up your phone first) because it will mess up your phonebook in ways you never thought possible. Can you live without syncing with google? There are limitations (you can get Google sync that does this but will delete all your appointments not within 3 months). Is it not feasible to only edit your appointments on your phone?
 
Okay, thanks for the advice. I guess I will stop trying the gmail contact sync with BIS then - I can't get it to work anyway....

The only reason I was looking to sync with Google was because I have completely moved away from M$ Outlook + Nokia to GMail platform (contacts & calendar) because the M$+Nokia sync was even worse than GmailSync+Nokia. Now that I have moved completely to BB means that I need to get a solution to somehow keep copies of my BB contacts+calendar somewhere off device - just a habit I have as a way to do regular backup and also multiple access points.

This also means that it would be logical for me to look for solutions to sync with the Google account.... I guess I just like the option to be able to edit appointments on a PC too.
 
I tried to back up too - eventually I realised it wasn't worth the trouble. Use the back up on the desktop manager it will do everything. There is a solution called fubambol that will sync with your berry and the funambol website (plus it can sync with many other phones) and you can have it work one way so it won't mess anything up. You can use google sync but like I said there are limitations - like it removes birthdays and all future appointments beyond 3 months. Personally I just save all my appointments and contacts on my phone and back them up. I never actually used Google calendar or google contacts on the web (although like you I wanted the option it just wasn't worth the trouble it caused me for me personally).
Rim should remove the contacts sync option on bis I just tried it again and it deleted my phonebook (I backed up before though).
 
I see, thanks for the warning. :)

I guess I can do away with desktop manager for now but will probably still try GoogleSync at least once....
 
I just checked it's a bit better, works for a year in advance now. Perhaps they've fixed other issues too. Backup your phone, give it a try, and give us a report back.
 
I'm using the Gmail addon for bb which is pretty cool.. what is the difference between that and the Gmail app?
 
REPORT BACK:
I wanted to report back last night, but after typing a long report and click on "Post Quick Reply" on my BB using OperaMini the browser returned me to the thread with no new post. That was a sign enough to tell me go to sleep.

Anyway, I backed up my GMail & BB contacts+calendar, deleted contacts data off my BB but kept 1 contact + 1 calendar entry left on my BB for testing purpose. After 3 attempts of downloading GoogleSync from m.google.com (OperaMini keep directing me to BB's internal browser when I click download) it was finally downloaded and installed.

After installation, GoogleSync app will ask for your google account detail, and you can tick Sync Contacts and/or Sync Calendar (up to 52weeks into future and 4 weeks back). There is no option to choose if Google or the BB takes preference where conflicts occurs. Then once you accepted the setting you come to the point of no return, the app will automatically sync the data with no further confirmation requested from you. I had 600 contacts and 50 appointments sync'ed in about 5 min; a summary with time-stamp will be displayed when it finished sync.

Upon verification, the app sync'ed both way so I now have:
1) all GMail contacts on my phone PLUS the duplicated 1 contact I deliberately left on my phone. On GMail, my phone's additional contact also added.
2) Google Calendar's appointments (within the selected sync dates limit) correctly displayed on my BB calendar; my 1 appointment made on my BB calendar was also sync'ed and displayed on my Google Calendar if I check on my PC.

In conclusion I think I am happy with the result SO FAR and hope the app continues its good work and don't screw me over in the near future. Before my Bold 9700, I was using Nokia N97 and the GoogleSync was initially also working fine until one day it decides it will not sync any new contacts or editing of my contacts into my GMail Contacts.

@Malasius: I think the Gmail app (which I couldn't install last night but have used it before on Nokia N97) should allow you to access more GMail's functionality (such as LABELS) that is currently not possible to access on BB's standard email reader. Which Gmail addon are you referring to?
 
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