inquiry In Motion ’s BlackBerry is one of the easiest - to - habit equipment I ’ve ever encountered . The BlackBerry is unmatched in its simplicity of doing what it does best — observe in touch with the great unwashed via e - post . Unfortunately , the software program that allow you to sync the BlackBerry and your Mac does not bring quite as well .
Information Appliance Associates recently update its PocketMac for BlackBerry sync software program to version 4.0 , giving the program a complete interface service . The interface now resembles Apple ’s iSync , with tab key for the dissimilar type of syncing alternative useable . you could also back up your data point via a .Mac account .
PocketMac for BlackBerry now includes the ability to simulate your tocopherol - mail from the gadget ’s Inbox and Sent messages leaflet to an e - ring armor diligence on your computing machine , an attractive feature for citizenry like me who use their BlackBerry a lot . PocketMac supports Apple ’s chain mail ( ) and Microsoft ’s retinue ( ) for e - mail syncing , among others . Unfortunately , I had trouble getting my messages copied to my computer .
Contacts are perhaps the most important detail that I synchronize . I have spent quite a scrap of sentence ensure the data for my several hundred contacts is up - to - date . I want my BlackBerry synced with all of my contacts ’ eastward - mail addresses and earpiece numbers so I can keep in touch with my contacts no matter where I am .
My first sync using PocketMac 4.0 scared me because it actually delete some data from individual contacts on my BlackBerry . Some of my stored phone numbers and Es - postal service addresses were gone . I immediately checked Apple ’s Address Book , and gratefully , the information was still there . I strain synchronise again , but the entropy never went over to the BlackBerry .
I then told PocketMac to overwrite the gimmick , hoping it would compose all of the needed physical contact information to the BlackBerry — no dice . It turns out that PocketMac does not care the Work Mobile label in my Address Book and will not sync that field . As shortly as I changed the label to Mobile it synced alright , but that ’s go away to mean a wad of work for me to change that information in my Address Book . I think a message alerting me to possible data excision is critical in a situation like this .
Another new feature article of PocketMac 4.0 is the power to sync Safari Bookmarks . PocketMac instal a Bookmark Manager on the BlackBerry and then copy your Bookmarks — clicking on a liaison will automatically open up the Internet web browser app on the twist .
I talked to the folks at PocketMac about the issues I had with the software and they say they were aware of them and are working with Research in Motion to discipline the number .
Macworld’s buying advice
Overall , PocketMac for BlackBerry 4.0 leaves me wanting more and wanting it to work better . bookmarker and calendar syncing worked well , but I had problems import all of my contact lens selective information and with syncing my e - mail . The try is certainly there from the software developer , but the execution and functionality is lacking .
[ Jim Dalrymple is Macworld.com ’s word director . ]
