Does anyone use Google Contacts (to sync from phone and more)

[mikeymikec]

I'm posting this into the mobile forum for lack of a better place to put it, but here goes.

A customer has a contacts list on their mobile (Android, Sony) that they don't want to lose, however they would also like to be able to view/edit/manage that contacts list on their computer, on their (Android, Samsung) tablet as well preferably.

This person is not particularly au fait with tech, so I'm thinking that having his phone sync the contacts list with his Google account, then he can bring up the Google Contacts website up on his computer, his tablet as well if need be, and presumably do whatever he wants with it there.

However, I'm aware that Google Contacts (the website) is going through some development; there's still an old site that has certain features that the current/beta site does not, such as import/export features. I think I've also played around with Google Contacts in the last year and ended up with complete contact duplication and subsequently abandoned that idea.

My question is, does anyone use the Google Contacts site in this fashion, and if so, do you think you could set up your parents or grandparents with it and not expect tears before bedtime?

 

[Graze]

I'm posting this into the mobile forum for lack of a better place to put it, but here goes.

A customer has a contacts list on their mobile (Android, Sony) that they don't want to lose, however they would also like to be able to view/edit/manage that contacts list on their computer, on their (Android, Samsung) tablet as well preferably.

This person is not particularly au fait with tech, so I'm thinking that having his phone sync the contacts list with his Google account, then he can bring up the Google Contacts website up on his computer, his tablet as well if need be, and presumably do whatever he wants with it there.

However, I'm aware that Google Contacts (the website) is going through some development; there's still an old site that has certain features that the current/beta site does not, such as import/export features. I think I've also played around with Google Contacts in the last year and ended up with complete contact duplication and subsequently abandoned that idea.

My question is, does anyone use the Google Contacts site in this fashion, and if so, do you think you could set up your parents or grandparents with it and not expect tears before bedtime?

I have used google contact from the moment I had an android phone(2010) and I have had no issue with it. I dont know why anymore would use anything else to be honest.

 

[KentState]

I only use Google Contacts on my phone, tablet and desktop. Never had any issues with duplication. Also started using it when I got my Motorola Droid back in 2009.

 

[s44]

Yeah, me too. I think the more likely question in the US is whether any Android user *doesn't* use Google Contacts.

 

[cronos]

Google Contacts user for almost six years now. No problem. It was a pain in the beginning to transfer everything over as they were a bunch of contacts separated on my Outlook in the office, Nokia sync software (that's supposed to sync with each other, but sometimes not), etc. but it was so worth it.

The (perceived) duplication is probably because you had the contacts stored on your SIM card still showing and forgot to either wipe it or set it to 'not shown' on your Contacts app.

Also, even if it is a legitimate duplication for one reason or another, with Google Contacts it's super easy to fix that either from your phone or on the website.

 

[nerp]

I recommend it. You don't have to configure much. I sign into my google account in Outlook, my iPhone and on my Android devices and I disable Apple's iCloud contacts on my phone. Now all my contacts are available everywhere, edits are synced and I never have to go to any annoying website or use any sort of tool to manage things. It just works in the background.

 

[thesmokingman]

Anyone find it weird, its 2016 and some have not used le google for mail/contacts?


Anyways, your contacts/mail is tied to your google email account. Anywhere you go you have access to it as long as you are logged into your email, regardless of machine or location.

 

[lxskllr]

Yeah, me too. I think the more likely question in the US is whether any Android user *doesn't* use Google Contacts.

I don't. I don't use google anything aside from legacy mail. I export my contacts, and they go in an encrypted folder, then get backed up to SpiderOak.

 

[JimmiG]

I write my contacts down on a piece of paper, then I memorize them, then I burn the paper. I also wear a tinfoil hat at all times so the mind control facility can't access the contacts from my brain.

No but seriously, Google Contacts is awesome. I can add a contact on my phone, computer or tablet and it will be synced across all devices. It's easy enough that my mom can use it.

 

[Chocu1a]

Google contacts. No reason to use anything else.
Sign in on ANY Android device or PC and all my contacts are there.
No brainer & never had an issue. Been using since the Galaxy Nexus.

 

[Dulanic]

Yeah no reason not to use it. Love google contacts, no having to worry about anything and no chance of losing contact info. Easily accessible online too.

 

[sweenish]

Does Sony not utilize Google contacts by default? As far as I know, you have to opt out of it.

 

[openwheel]

of course...

 

[mrochester]

Outlook does exactly the same thing and is probably preferential to giving your data to Google.

Outlook also supports mail for exchange, unlike Google and Gmail.

 

[Oyeve]

Outlook does exactly the same thing and is probably preferential to giving your data to Google.

Outlook also supports mail for exchange, unlike Google and Gmail.

And give it to Microsoft instead.

 

[mrochester]

And give it to Microsoft instead.

Sounds preferable to giving it to Google...

 

[mikeymikec]

Outlook does exactly the same thing and is probably preferential to giving your data to Google.

Hmm, this does have a potential advantage if the customer upgrades to Windows 10, I imagine they could just use the 'People' app and have immediate and native access to the contacts list.

 

[Raduque]

I use it, and have since day one. Don't use the website, tough. Not a single issue as long as the phone is defaulted to making new contacts a Google contact.

I don't. I don't use google anything aside from legacy mail. I export my contacts, and they go in an encrypted folder, then get backed up to SpiderOak.

Yes, but you're a crazy person.

 

[nerp]

Outlook does exactly the same thing and is probably preferential to giving your data to Google.

Outlook also supports mail for exchange, unlike Google and Gmail.

Or do as I do. Add your Microsoft AND Google accounts to Outlook. There's more than enough slices in this guy's privacy pie!

 

[thesmokingman]

Outlook does exactly the same thing and is probably preferential to giving your data to Google.

Outlook also supports mail for exchange, unlike Google and Gmail.

lol as if MS isn't already mining the hell out of you.

 

[QueBert]

I just bought a Flex 2, when I added my Google account it imported like 500 contacts, there should have been around 15. OP's saying this person isn't tech savvy. I didn't tell it to import all these contacts, and they're definitely not in my address book online. It was a damn mess, some I knew from emailing, and others I have no idea where they came from. I know there's a way to make it not do what it did for me, but I didn't see a check box for it. I added my account and BOOM instant ginormous list. I couldn't imagine a non techie person figuring it out. And unless they finally fixed something, if you add a high resolution pic of a contact on your device, when it syncs online the image becomes a low-rez pixilated mess when it syncs back to your phone.

It works, but it still feels like a beta product.

 

[ericlp]

It's a god send... (if there was a god)... Dunno, I've always dreaded getting a new phone, back in the day just because updating all the contacts and settings, what a pain. Now, you phone gets lost/stolen, broken, upgrade (I buy a new phone every 2-3 years).. So nice just to log into google account and BOOM... All your info is right there.

Like everyone else, never had a problem and and no need to use anything else.

 

[sweenish]

I just bought a Flex 2, when I added my Google account it imported like 500 contacts, there should have been around 15. OP's saying this person isn't tech savvy. I didn't tell it to import all these contacts, and they're definitely not in my address book online. It was a damn mess, some I knew from emailing, and others I have no idea where they came from. I know there's a way to make it not do what it did for me, but I didn't see a check box for it. I added my account and BOOM instant ginormous list. I couldn't imagine a non techie person figuring it out. And unless they finally fixed something, if you add a high resolution pic of a contact on your device, when it syncs online the image becomes a low-rez pixilated mess when it syncs back to your phone.

It works, but it still feels like a beta product.

So?

How often do you actually peruse your contacts? Usually, it's just "I need to call/text/whatever x" and then you do it.

The size of the list doesn't matter in the least because you never look at it. You either know the person, or you're searching, not looking through an alphabetized list.

And if you couldn't be bothered to even poke around the settings of the Contacts app, I wouldn't say that you're tech savvy, either.