In my earlier review of Chapura’s PocketMirror program, I noted that while memos had been added to the data types that the program could synchronize between the Pre/Pixi and Microsoft Outlook, tasks were still only a promised upgrade. There were also some performance issues I noted.

Recently, version 2.0.0 of PocketMirror hit the App Catalog and, along with the latest version of the Windows desktop portion (which can be downloaded here), the program now syncs tasks as well as memos, calendar events and contacts. As with memos/notes, PocketMirror’s syncing maintains categories across the two platforms, and can also support timed notifications (which work on the Pre even when the program’s card is not open). Also as with memos, though, Chapura provides/requires its own standalone application for tasks, which is understandable, given the limits of the Pre’s own native Tasks and Memos programs.

In my brief look at the new version, it appears that the memo application has been improved as well. The noticeable delay between the app launching and the memos being displayed is essentially gone, and the synchronization of memos seems speedier. The program still lacks sorting capabilities beyond categories (I would like to be able to sort by date created, not just alphabetically), but hopefully that will appear in a future release. There is also still no way to put a separate icon for Chapura Memos and Tasks on the launcher screen, but the Preferences menu does allow you to choose which element (Memos, Tasks or Sync) will appear when the program is first launched, with the others easily accessible via icons at the bottom of the screen.

Unfortunately, with the new tasks feature set comes an increase in price, from the former $29.95 to $39.95 (although the upgrade is free for purchasers of the earlier versions.) While it is certainly pricier than most standalone Pre apps, it is comparable to other desktop utility software, or to similar synchronization packages such as Mark/Space’s The Missing Sync, and likely reflects the greater complexity and support burden of a desktop/smartphone combination software product.

Even at its higher new price, PocketMirror remains an extremely useful addition to webOS for users of notes (and now tasks) in Microsoft Outlook, as it adds the synchronization features for those elements that Palm failed to provide for the Pre and Pixi. For previous purchasers, the upgrade is both free and quite welcome.

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For many of us, the one major missing PIM piece for webOS has been a real, functional memos app, with the key features (sortability, categories) and most importantly desktop synchronization of the Memos app from PalmOS with Microsoft Outlook Notes (or, for some, Palm Desktop). While it appeared that the reason for the lack was out of Palm’s control (neither Exchange ActiveSync nor Google Sync support notes as a separate content type), it was still a major blow for people like me, who have notes dating back years (in my case, since at least December 1996) that were either taken on or edited with a PalmOS device.

My notes have stayed with me through multiple jobs, because I’ve always been able to carry my Palm handheld to the next job and set up synchronization there. I’ve got information, call records, family history, and creative and business written work stored in notes, and I’m very used to being able to check it whenever and wherever I needed to, via my PDA.

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Mac users and Mark/Space aren’t the only ones getting their local sync on this morning. Chapura has announced a free beta of their own solution for Outlook users on Windows: PocketMirror. Like The Missing Sync, PocketMirror creates a new Synergy profile on your Palm Pre and syncs over your Wi-Fi network. PocketMirror will connect with your Outlook contacts and calendar and port everything seamlessly onto your Pre, and back again when you make an edit. This is great news for all you Outlook users out there!

The PocketMirror beta is available right now in two parts. The Palm Pre component is a free download from your on-device App Catalog, and the desktop component is ready for download (also free) from Chapura’s website.

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You’ve got a brand new Palm Pre, and you’ve got Outlook on your computer with all your contacts and calendars, and you’re looking at the two and trying to figure out how to get them to talk. While Palm does have the Data Transfer Assistant to pull your stuff out of Outlook, throw it into the cloud, and then push it down to the Pre, it’s no substitute for actual synchronization. Chapura, makers of the PocketMirror Palm OS-Outlook sync program have declared their intent to bring PocketMirror to webOS. The newest version of PocketMirror will not only sync your Outlook contacts to your Pre, but will do it over your local Wi-Fi network, eliminating any concerns you may have about syncing your data into the unsecured cloud. PocketMirror for webOS, which Chapura’s website claims is ‘coming soon,’ will create a new Synergy account for Contacts and Calendar, enabling you to sync to-and-from Outlook with ease. Chapura will also be releasing Echo, a program that will do the exact same thing as PocketMirror, but with Palm Desktop! With the recently-announced The Missing Sync from mark/space also on the way, it’s looking like the cloud-averse are going to have plenty of options for the coveted local sync.

Thanks to Brian for the tip!

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