An Update On Syncing The BlackBerry PlayBook

If you’re one of the many who got their hands on a PlayBook this past week, I’m sure you’re well aware of its current lake of contacts, calendars, etc. While these thing should be coming via software updates, they aren’t here yet. So, in the meantime, what do you do if you want to sync Outlook to the BlackBerry PlayBook? We currently have a few options for you:

1. If you own a BlackBerry phone, you can sync Outlook to your BlackBerry via CompanionLink for Outlook. Then, simply launch the BlackBerry Bridge app and pair it up with the PlayBook. All the contacts, calendars, tasks, & memos you synced to your BlackBerry phone will now be available on the PlayBook for as long as the connection remains open. We realize that this is not the most direct route, but it’s the most integrated option available to us at the moment.

2. If you do not own a BlackBerry phone, or want to be able to access your contacts and calendars without having to use the Bridge app, you can use CompanionLink for Outlook to sync Outlook to Google. Once the sync is complete, you can use the browser on the PlayBook to navigate to Google’s web apps. This, of course, requires a data connection to load.

Future software updates for the PlayBook are expected to bring integrated contacts, calendars, tasks, and memos to the device. At that point, we anticipate users will be able to sync via CompanionLink and the BlackBerry Desktop software as is currently done with BlackBerry phones. Additionally, Research In Motion (RIM) has stated that the PlayBook will ultimately be able to run Android apps. When this functionality becomes available, we are expecting that DejaOffice will be able to run natively on the PlayBook, further expanding the sync options available.

If you have any questions on your current sync options or our anticipated future sync options, leave a comment below or get in touch on Twitter or Facebook!

An Update On Syncing The BlackBerry PlayBook was last updated April 22nd, 2011 by David Z

7 thoughts on “An Update On Syncing The BlackBerry PlayBook

  1. We’re working on adding DejaOffice to the PlayBook. It’s in progress now, so watch for an update on this in a few weeks. That will definitely help improve our sync options for the PlayBook.

    That said, are you looking for direct sync from PC to PlayBook contacts/calendars, or are you simply trying to avoid syncing to the cloud?

  2. As a longtime ACT! user (since 1991) and Companionlink user, I really don’t want to complicate my life with multi-layer conversions in order to use the Playbook e-mail and contact and scheduler apps. Please get talking with RIM and resolve the add-in issues!

  3. At this point, our Sync via Google option works great with the built-in PlayBook contacts and calendar. Of course, with the PlayBook’s ability to run Android apps, we’re also exploring the possibility of getting DejaOffice on the PlayBook, which should enable other sync options such as USB and WiFi. Stay tuned for details on that!

  4. Now that BB Playbook has native email, contacts and calendar, is a sync solution for outlook underway?

  5. Linking the playbook with the blackberry bold could be costly I think.  I am currently in the US and fear if I bridge my phone with my playbook I will be huge roaming charges-have I got this wrong?