A popular feature on legacy BlackBerry devices was the ability to setup two-way synchronization of Microsoft Outlook via USB – for certain businesses, wireless sync is seen as a security issue. Although BlackBerry is working on bringing this feature back to BlackBerry 10 through an update to BlackBerry Link, a third-party solution has appeared in the interim: BB10 PC Outlook Sync.
Microsoft Outlook is used by many businesses to organize contacts, appointments, and tasks. Currently, BlackBerry Link only offers a one-way sync solution – it will bring over any data stored on the PC to your BlackBerry 10 device, but any changes won’t sync back to the PC next time you plug in. BB10 PC Outlook Sync, however, offers a two-way solution, claiming that all the Outlook sync functionality of legacy devices is offered through this utility. Although it requires an app to be installed on your device (has to be sideloaded until it is approved in BlackBerry World), all data ends up in native BlackBerry 10 apps – contacts are put in the Contacts app and appointments are placed in the Calendar app, while tasks and notes are put in the Remember app. According to the developer, this is a list of all the data that is synced by BB10 PC Outlook Sync:
Outlook Contacts sync to BB10 Hub Contacts
- Name
- Email addressess
- Phone numbers
- Street addresses
- Notes
- Birthdays
- Contact photos
Outlook Calendar syncs to BB10 Hub Calendar
- Calendar event details
- Recurring calendar events
- Alarms/reminders
- Busy/free settings
- Accepted meeting invites
Outlook Tasks syncs to BB10 Remember app
- Task details
- Due dates
Outlook Notes syncs to BB10 Hub Remember app
- Note details
For anyone interested in the ability, the pricing seems quite reasonable, ranging from $24.99 for a single user license, to $99.99 for licensing for 5 computers. If you’re not sure about it however, they offer a free two-week trial, as well as a 90 day money-back guarantee. You can have a closer look at the official website here.