Actually yeah, I misspoke - I've only ever synced calendars, not contacts. I did look around and found two options that may work for you. I'm sure more than a few people would be interested in your results if you do try them.
http://www.companionlink.com/products/android.html
http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/1...ok-gmail-and-cellphone-contacts-with-soocial/
Companionlink you must buy and looks like companionlink only works with Windows/Outlook. Looking at Soocial (which is free buy the way).
Update (Soocial): Address book <-> Soocial works good. It had been so long since I logged into my ME account via the web, I almost forgot my password. Looks like ME is working good too. No matter where I did the edit (MM, Soocial, Addressbook) the others updated respectfully. Thing with Soocial is that most components are still in either beta or alpha stages. For my palm centro - it is not natively supported. Palm requires a download for the contact syncing clients ($20+), not sure if it will be worth it. Do not be discouraged though, they already have iphone information (supported natively through itunes or the OS X client) and other phones are supported (or they are working on it - seems like Palm is the sticking point) Also, for gmail - there are some forums that the initial sync could take hours if the servers (gmail or soocial) are busy. After that should go quickly. I am still waiting on the initial soocial/gmail sync...
Looks like if you still want an all-in-one package ME may be the way to go (so far push from cloud to addressbook is instantaneous), now that most problems are fixed. Otherwise get ready to spend an initial (one time; not a subscription fee) for busy sync to sync your calendar between gmail and iCal. You can already setup iMail to work with gmail (even through imap), and then play with Soocial for your contacts.
One thing I do like about soocial is, it will backup your contacts every time before syncing. all you have to do is go to the vault and down load the backup.
Based on this testing I am torn - Keep gmail, or just keep everything in MM.
I'll edit this post again once the gmail/soocial sync occurs (2 1/2 hrs and still waiting; this is just a frustrating as the first days of MM).
Ok, it is 1:00 am here on the east coast. almost 6:00 am in Nederland (not sure if they mean Netherlands, but the parent company is out of Switzerland -the webclient goes by their local time). How busy can these servers be? If anyone wants and update on the gmail<->soocial, email me directly. I am tired of waiting and going to bed.
P.S. - if I ever get this soocial/gmail sync to occur, this would be the least expensive route.
GMAIL -> Free
Soocial -> Free
BusySync -> One time purchase of like $20 or so.
Other webhosting options (discussed many times in the early MM glitch days (free or equivelant to about $100 / year (cheapest ones found); search for your bargain-many out there.).
Mobile Me -> $100 yearly subscription. But nice thing is, glitches seem to be gone or severly minimized. All in one concept. $100 / year is not bad for an all-in-one.
*Edit - Sickening, it is now 10:30am here on the east coast and Soocial is still saying the GMAIL is being setup and waiting activation - I think Soocial may be a NO GO, I will give it until the end of today. If still not working, I am cancelling and just use GMAIL/Busy sync for the calendaring and MM for the contacts. I am going to try resetting up the connection, but it seems to connect fine and let me in when it asks - just it will not connect and syncmy contacts.
Soocial is a NO GO - after reading more forums, other people have complained on the initial gmail activation/sync not occuring for 2-3 days and also other syncing issues. nice concept, but has a lot of work needing to be done. I finally gave up after 15 hrs of waiting. I deleted my account, and will report back if I find another option.
*Last Edit - For those of you following this post looking for options. I ended up going with Syncman found at
http://wateree.net/syncman/. I will have to buy it for $15 once my 30-day trial expires. It does not do my phone, but appears owning a palm, it would be expensive or difficult anyway. Busymac is suppose to come out with a contact sync. I contacted them and they do not have a timeframe in mind yet.
So all you gmail users - get busy mac for your calendar, syncman for your contacts, and setup imap for gmail in iMail and you should be good to go on your mac. Net cost;
Gmail -free
Busymac -$25
Syncman - $15
You are looking at a one time $40 investment.
Also, I cannot confirm this as I do not have an ipod tough or iphone, but on lifehacker.com, there is an article that after 10.5.3 in your address book prefs, there is an option for gmail. you have to have an ipod touch or iphone (or take your chaces following a possible hack posted).
