I’ll begin here with the summary and call for cooperation for the sake of OS X and BlackBerry users everywhere! I have included sync instructions at the end of this post FYI.
Mark/Space has EXCELLENT syncing software for phones and OS X users known as the “Missing Sync”. It includes an easy-to-use interface and it works easily and reliably. Currently it handles an advanced sync for platforms like: PalmOS (Treo, etc), Windows Mobile (Blackjack, Q, etc), and even the Sony PSP. The reliability and support for the product is very worth the ~$40 USD cost. If only there was a Missing Sync for BlackBerry (they have a survey for readers to fill out)…
Mark/Space Website
Mark/Space BlackBerry Survey
Research In Motion (RIM)’s BlackBerry is an excellent phone platform, working off years of refinement by the pickiest of consumers. They’ve now added multimedia functionality on the Blackberry Pearl that works pretty well and, if properly marketed, should open up their user base (it’s inexpensive for a Smartphone too!). The Pearl is available through America’s largest - Cingular, T-Mobile, and the Canadian powerhouse Rogers.
BlackBerry Main Website
BlackBerry Pearl Website
So if you own a BlackBerry and use OS X, here’s the good and the bad news…
The Good News - RIM licensed an OS X sync free to BlackBerry owners.
The Bad News - PocketMac is not an easy, reliable, or powerful solution.
MacWorld UK - PLEASE RE-REVIEW PocketMac for BlackBerry!!!
Much to my dismay and seemingly hundreds or thousands of other vocal reviews on various web pages, the sync licensed by BlackBerry for OS X known as PocketMac sucks. I try not to use that word, but there’s no politically correct way to express the unbelievable complications, problems, unreliability, and unintuitive user interface (and installer). The company that makes this software, Information Appliance Associates, also makes PocketPC sync too, but after my PocketMac experience for BlackBerry I agree with a review I read on the web -it is very much NOT worthy of the 4-1/2 of 5 “mice” it was awarded by MacWorld UK.
I look to Mark/Space to help fix this problem, even though it’s not their fault…
MAKE YOUR SOFTWARE for BLACKBERRY!!!
Now, the reason I bring Mark/Space into this is because I believe they can fix this problem by making the “Missing Sync” for BlackBerry. It is my humble opinion that RIM only licensed PocketMac for their users because there was not another solution on the market. Pardon my play on their own words, but I believe that if Mark/Space found the “Missing Sync” for BlackBerry, they could get the license with RIM for their software to be provided to the loyal and growing BlackBerry contingent.
Okay, maybe Mark/Space hasn’t done it because it does not meet the business case, or maybe RIM is too cheap to fork out the licensing fee (I doubt). I still believe that Missing Sync would be a heavily purchased product in their portfolio, even if it were offered standalone like the rest of their products. They currently compete with Information Appliance Associates PocketMac for Windows Mobile and they should be winning that race hands down. If Mark/Space is not winning that race, then a move like this could win them significant accolades (and revenue)!
Click here to fill out the Mark/Space survey to make this happen!
My survey looked like this:
What model BlackBerry is your primary device?
Pearl
Please rate the importance of the following possible features on a scale of 1 to 5:
Sync tasks - 2
Sync notes - 3
Sync calendar events - 5
Sync contacts - 5
Email sync with Apple Mail - 4
Email sync with Microsoft Entourage - 1
Call log backup and access on the Mac - 5
Encrypted password and account number storage/syncing - 2
iPhoto album import/export between Mac and BlackBerry - 5
iTunes playlist/music/podcast download to BlackBerry - 5
Install video files to Blackberry Pearl - 5
Backup and restore of the BlackBerry - 4
Installation of third-party applications from the Mac - 4
Are there any special features not mentioned above that you’d like to see in a BlackBerry sync product for the Mac?
I would like to sync “sent email” on the BlackBerry with my mail program’s Sent folder.
I miss being able to use my Cellular Data (Edge/GPRS/GSM) on my Mac when I have no Wi-Fi.
The BlackBerry has a separate directory for /ringtones from /music. Being able to dip into the /music/ folder from the ringtone menu would be VERY nice (maybe an alias?).
I look to Research In Motion to help fix this problem for BlackBerry users…
ENTICE Mark/Space to MAKE THEIR SOFTWARE for BLACKBERRY!!!
I want to give RIM kudos on the best SmartPhone on the market - BlackBerry Pearl, an inexpensive and reliable Smartphone. Honestly after handling it I almost stopped looking forward to the coming of Apple’s iPhone - that was, until I sync’d it. It is easy to see that RIM required a solution to open their loyal users into the loyal Mac contingent, but this was not the way to do it. Unfortunately the message boards and review columns are full of dissatisfied Mac/BlackBerry users, frustrated newbies and veterans alike, and words of suggestion for Windows and Palm even against their better judgment.
Do it right or don’t do it at all, measure twice and cut once. And with all due respect, which I have for RIM, the move to license PocketMac was just a bad decision among many right decisions. Whether it was haste, lack of options or a lack of thorough research by RIM, PocketMac has turned out to be one bad apple in a “Blue-Ribbon” barrel. It pains me significantly to say that if RIM does not choose to entice Mark/Space to create the Missing Sync for BlackBerry, that they might as well pull the licensed sync software off the shelf.
I apologize in advance for my Blunt on this topic, but I feel very strongly about this. I want to trade in my Treo and convert the rest of the Windows and Palm world if I can. The sales pitch is to but a Mac and a Pearl - I think it’s a match made in Heaven. Both companies have VERY loyal fans and both products work. My iPhone is BlackBerry Pearl … once it works with my computer.
Sincerely,
Scott Stevens
Following are my instructions for PocketMac sync for BlackBerry and OS X.
CHARGE YOUR PHONE
Charge with the wall charger first.
CONNECT PHONE
Once fully charged, plug it into your Mac. Give it a few minutes to give you a warning about the USB not having enough juice. Click OK on it and it should not bother you again, that I’m aware it’s charging from USB fine. Even if you don’t get an error, proceed with the next step.
DISCONNECT PHONE
Please disconnect your phone from USB. Be careful, I actually got the “Gray Screen of Death” on my PowerBook when I disconnected once. Just follow procedure, don’t get too crazy plugging and unplugging, give the phone and computer time to notice the change.
DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE
Direct from RIM - click here.
BACKUP DATA
You backup your data regularly anyways to a dedicated /backup folder on your harddrive or external HDD. I do not recall how to backup Entourage, but backup iCal and AddressBook with: FILE > BACK UP
QUIT PROGRAMS
The forums suggested there are problems during sync with applications open, and I feel it would be good for the install too. You’ll be required to reboot anyways.
DISCONNECT PHONE
If you haven’t already, disconnect the phone from the computer. Again be careful, for the “Gray Screen of Death” on my PowerBook when you disconnect. Just follow procedure, don’t get too crazy plugging and unplugging, give the phone and computer time to notice the change.
INSTALL SOFTWARE
I found the installer acted like it stalled several times, be patient and wait for a window asking you to put an icon on the desktop (I clicked yes out of fear the software would explode, and deleted it later). That one install screen should complete, then wait for the ’stalled’ second install screen to proceed, again, be patient.
REBOOT COMPUTER
Reboot. It’ll take a while to get through to booting process after the install. More patience.
REBOOT PHONE
While you are waiting, use the menu to turn off the phone completely and then turn it back on. Again, make sure the phone is not connected to the computer.
*** You will ALWAYS have to disconnect and reboot the phone before syncing, sorry. ***
OPEN POCKETMAC
Open the software and go to the HELP menu and select the Setup Wizard. Go through the setup stuff, and personally I chose to overwrite the device (two-way seemed to duplicate addresses on the phone). Just know that your machine will be the master, always pushing changes to your phone.
CONNECT USB
Connect the phone to the USB cable, connected to your Mac. Wait about 1 minute for the “Mass Storage” message and click NO. For syncing, I do not trust saying yes. I will discuss the uses for saying YES shortly.
SYNC
Click the sync button in the program. I suggest opening the log to watch progress. You should something similar to this if it’s successful: (where “x” is used in place of device-specific codes)
===============================================
[11:53:35.203] 2007-01-05
[11:53:35.211] PocketMac SyncManager Started
[11:53:35.762] Blackberry -> /dev/cu.Blackberry
[11:55:29.966] Finished:0
[11:55:31.139] Progress:ISyncClientConnectingPhase xxxxxxxxxx
*NOTE* It will usually look like it’s stalled here if you forgot to reboot the phone before sync. Cancel the sync from the program, quit the program, disconnect and reboot the phone, relaunch the program, and once the phone is booted and the program is on, reconnect the phone to USB, deny “Mass Storage” and try to sync.
[11:55:32.214] BlackBerry device pin xxxxxxxxx
*NOTE* This will repeat if you forgot to reboot the phone before sync, and eventually time out. Cancel the sync from the program, quit the program, disconnect and reboot the phone, relaunch the program, and once the phone is booted and the program is on, reconnect the phone to USB, deny “Mass Storage” and try to sync.
[11:55:38.496] Begin synchronization
[11:55:38.498] Synchronizing contacts
[11:55:41.737] Made the connection
[11:55:42.102] PocketMac version 4.0
[11:55:44.750] Synchronizing Address Book with BlackBerry Contacts
[11:55:44.753] Reading data…
[11:55:51.161] Synchronizing Address Book with BlackBerry Contacts
[11:55:51.190] Comparing data…
[11:55:51.229] Synchronizing data…
[11:55:54.579] All finished.
[11:55:58.726] 280 changes/new records.
[11:56:46.226] Synchronizing calendar
[11:56:59.111] Made the connection
[11:56:59.400] PocketMac version 4.0
[11:57:01.924] Synchronizing iCal with BlackBerry Calendar
[11:57:01.926] Reading data…
*NOTE* Here is where the software will warn you about the next prompt from iSync Database. The point of their long-winded warning screen is CLICK ALLOW but DO NOT click the checkbox. I do not think they prompts come up on the next sync, but if you change any preferences in your sync, they’ll be back.
[11:57:20.612] Synchronizing iCal with BlackBerry Calendar
[11:57:20.616] Comparing data…
[11:57:20.947] Synchronizing data…
[11:57:35.241] All finished.
[11:57:40.318] 1082 changes/new records.
[11:58:44.682] Synchronizing tasks
[11:58:49.671] Made the connection
[11:58:49.966] PocketMac version 4.0
[11:58:52.645] Synchronizing iCal with BlackBerry Tasks
[11:58:52.647] Reading data…
[11:58:56.836] Synchronizing iCal with BlackBerry Tasks
[11:58:56.846] Comparing data…
[11:58:56.869] Synchronizing data…
[11:59:00.751] All finished.
[11:59:04.813] 12 changes/new records.
[11:59:05.860] Bookmark sync disabled in preferences
[11:59:05.861] Synchronizing notes
[11:59:06.496] Made the connection
[11:59:06.871] PocketMac version 4.0
[11:59:09.113] Synchronizing Stickies with BlackBerry Notes
[11:59:09.115] Reading data…
[11:59:09.131] Synchronizing Stickies with BlackBerry Notes
[11:59:09.134] Comparing data…
[11:59:09.147] Synchronizing data…
[11:59:09.164] Empty Stickies database.
[11:59:09.174] All finished.
[11:59:13.227] 0 changes/new records.
[11:59:13.227] Cleaning up notes sync temporary data files.
[11:59:13.230] Email sync disabled in preferences
[11:59:14.100] Finished:0
[11:59:43.001] Made the connection
[11:59:43.237] PocketMac version 4.0
[11:59:57.360] Made the connection
[11:59:57.537] PocketMac version 4.0
[12:00:18.416] Made the connection
[12:00:18.606] PocketMac version 4.0
===============================================
QUIT PROGRAM
Self-explanatory.
DISCONNECT PHONE
Disconnect the phone from the computer. Again be careful, for the “Gray Screen of Death” on my PowerBook when you disconnect. Just follow procedure, don’t get too crazy plugging and unplugging, give the phone and computer time to notice the change.
CHECK DEVICES
Check the phone and make sure everything is fine. Check your computer and make sure everything is fine. If not, backup your data. (iCal and AddressBook use FILE > REVERT)
***
MASS STORAGE MODE (for music/iTunes, photos/iPhoto, Videos, multimedia and files)
When you plug the device into your computer, it asks if you want it to be in “Mass Storage” mode. This allows your computer to “mount” the phone’s extra memory it much like a CD or storage card. You can then use the finder to browse files on the device, move files to/from the device.
Of course, if you downloaded music, made videos or took pictures on your phone you’ll want to pull these off the device and import into the appropriate program or drag-n-drop into the right folder. BUT if you’d like to put music or photos onto the phone, it’s a little more cumbersome.
In iPhoto (not iTunes) you can highlight the items you want to export, and use the EXPORT item in the menu. In iPhoto6 export is under FILE, in iPhoto5 it’s under EDIT (I believe).
iTunes requires you to essentially “Show in Finder” every song you want to move, then drag-n-drop into the music folder on the BlackBerry while holding OPTION key (envoking COPY command, otherwise you’ll move the file.
EJECT MASS STORAGE
Remember to EJECT (right-click eject in finder or desktop) prior to disconnecting. It’s the safe way to make sure no data is damaged and neither device freaks out.
MASS STORAGE NOTES
Unlike when you sync, you do not need to reboot the phone in order to get storage mode to work in my experience thus far. Just plug it in and click YES on the screen when it prompts.
