[Blobski]

I am looking for a smartphone that will allow me to sync with the contacts, diary and notes in Outlook on a local PC when connected by cable (ie NOT via an Exchange server). I also need to be able to access the internet while on the move as mail is forwaded to GMail.
There are many that will sync to an exchange server, but I have visited many shops and seached a number of help pages on manufacturers sites without getting a definite answer for a local version of Outlook. Nokia's desktop software suggests it should for some models, but I cannot find out which models.
Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks

[RobM]

These days you'd struggle to find a phone that doesn't offer synchronisation with Outlook!

Nokia, Sony Ericsson, LG, Samsung, Apple, Motorola etc etc all have their own PC software that acts as a link between your phone and Outlook when connected and synchronising.

Some are better than others mind you in terms of the full feature set they offer, but if you just want to synchronise your phone with Outlook then any will do the job.

The only possible exception to this will be the Notes section. Not many will sync' the Notes, as not all phones have the same (or a compatible) version inbuilt.

[Blobski]

Thanks for reply, the NOTES part is important as this is how I remember the hundreds of PC settings and access codes I deal with. This is where I have had difficulty. Do you have any idea which phones will sync NOTES? Will Blackberry Storm, iPhone, Omnia?
Thanks again.

[Alan13]

I have an SE Xperia X1. This syncs with all the functions of Outlook that I have. Email, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and Notes. Everything I sync looks the same on the Xperia as it does in Outlook.
Regards
Alan

[RobM]

If Notes is important, then definitely look towards Windows Mobile handsets. As Alan13 says about his X1, all aspects of Outlook are synchronised. This remains true for all WM handsets.

[Uridium]

I synch my N95 8Gb with outlook including notes. any N-series Nokia will do the same as the notes App used for reading the notes on the phone is an app that comes as part of the OS.

Sync works perfectly over Bluetooth as well so no hooking up via cable. My phone auto syncs with my work pc via BT every 15mins and also synchs via BT with my home PC as soon as i pull up on the driveway at home

[prking]

Originally Posted by RobM83

If Notes is important, then definitely look towards Windows Mobile handsets. As Alan13 says about his X1, all aspects of Outlook are synchronised. This remains true for all WM handsets.

That's not strictly true as not all Windows Mobile devices come with a Notes application.

[nmw]

Originally Posted by Blobski

Thanks for reply, the NOTES part is important as this is how I remember the hundreds of PC settings and access codes I deal with. This is where I have had difficulty. Do you have any idea which phones will sync NOTES? Will Blackberry Storm, iPhone, Omnia?
Thanks again.

If you are storing access codes you might want to use something a little more secure than Notes.

I use eWallet which has 128bit (not perfect, but better than none) encryption on my phone (HTC Diamond, which runs WM6.1) and PC. It syncs with my PC every time its connected. The phone also syncs Notes with Outlook. Synchronization for eWallet and Outlook works with both XP and Vista.