i have been having the same dream too.. it's such a nightmare to come back to reality realizing that i'm without the phone..

Questions on synchronizing Google Contacts with Lumia 920 (Windows Phone)

I'm currently using an iPhone 3GS and iPad 2 but nonetheless I'm still a pro-Microsoft guy. Just waiting for the right moment to use a WinPhone and Lumia 920 is the perfect moment.

However, I'm kinda dilemma as Gmail is my primary email and also the primary place to store my contacts.

See my use case below:

- Gmail will still be my primary email and contacts storage
- Gmail and (future) Lumia 920 will be used to manage Contacts
- Contacts are synchronized from Gmail to iPad using a third party app. It supports custom label.
- iPad will be primarily used for productivity task such as presentation, document editing and email.


Now here are few the concerns and questions:

1. Hotmail/Outlook doesn't support custom label. It only allows adding limited fields such as Home and Home 2 and/or Mobile and Mobile 2. I can live with this by renaming all labels according to Microsoft standard. Hence, problem solved.

2. How are Groups managed in WinPhone? Say, when you assign a contact to a group called Business, does it automatically synchronized to Gmail? If yes, it only sync to Business or also (the default) My Contacts group in Gmail?

3. Are Contact Picture in Gmail also synchronized to WinPhone?

4. How often is the sync process in WinPhone? Automatically?

5. More importantly, can I configure WinPhone to only add contacts to Gmail and not any other form contacts storage such as Hotmail/Outlook?

Appreciate the replies and thanks.

Thanks for the prompt reply fantasy1989.

It is confirmed that WinPhone doesn't support custom label as Microsoft is still using the old Outlook format. I doubt Microsoft will ever implement this feature any sooner as the impact is extremely big due to compatibility with Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express - which is kinda sad as it's so restrictive to only allow 2 home and mobile per contact entry.

One more question, are you able to assign a contact to a group and properly synchronized to Gmail?

Indeed the users are on the losing side!

Been holding grudge on Google lately as they are moving away from their "Don't Be Evil" bullsh*t philosophy.. This is what they have done lately:

1. No longer accept free Google Apps registration
2. Reports of Google blocking Windows Phone users from accessing Google Maps
3. Discontinuing Google Sync service

Apple is equally as a**hole as Google.

Really gets into my nerve when Apple requested Microsoft to share 30% profit from Skydrive subscription or else Apple will not approve the latest version of Skydrive app in AppStore!

shooting a Lumia with a Lumia and driving a Lamborghini... oh yeah, that's a Nokia user..

This post has been edited by sevennet: Jan 7 2013, 03:28 PM

feel like heading to lowyat now and get the phone! i wanted to get cyan so much but only available in US

do you know what is the brand of the bluetooth headset? is it a headset or earpiece?

i think it's worth it if they actually give a Nokia bluetooth.

been waiting so long for maxis to announce whether they are offering plan for L920.. really dilemma whether to get the phone right away..

i have to decide by 30th this month because Google is discontinuing the Sync service. meaning, you can no longer sync calendar and contacts to gmail.

relying heavily on gmail contacts as the main point of contacts storage between all my gadgets (iphone, ipad and soon to be Lumia), the synchronize feature is very important to me..