asacco
Managing Editor

BlackBerry desktop support for Outlook 2010 expected in August

news
Jul 9, 20102 mins

Until then, corporate smartphone users can't sync data between Outlook 2010 and their BlackBerrys via Desktop Manager

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion’s (RIM) BlackBerry Desktop Manager software doesn’t currently support Microsoft Outlook 2010, which means many corporate smartphone users are unable to sync email, calendar, contacts, tasks, etc. between Outlook 2010 and their BlackBerrys via the application.

This is obviously less than ideal for organizations and individuals that use Outlook 2010, but RIM says a fix is en route. Specifically, a Desktop Manager update with support for Outlook 2010 32-bit is expected in August, according to RIM. Support for Outlook 64-bit is also on the horizon, though details are murky at this point; RIM says only that Desktop Manager will support Outlook 2010 64-bit “in 2011.”

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From a post in RIM’s BlackBerry Technical Solution Center:

Currently, BlackBerry Desktop Manager 5.0.1 does not support Microsoft Outlook 2010 64-bit version for mailbox connectivity and synchronization of organizer data such as Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Memos. The next release of BlackBerry Desktop Manager provides support for Microsoft Outlook 2010 32-bit version only. This release is targeted for August 2010. Support for Microsoft Outlook 2010 64-bit version will be available in 2011.

It’s unfortunate that RIM’s Desktop Manager didn’t support Outlook 2010 when it was initially released, but at least BlackBerry administrators and users who’ve been struggling because of the lack of support now have a rough timeframe for when to expect relief.

Read more about RIM’s BlackBerry Desktop Manager software on the company’s website. And check out my Desktop Manager tips and tricks for loading and removing BlackBerry applications and Internet tethering.

asacco

Al Sacco was a journalist, blogger and editor who covers the fast-paced mobile beat for CIO.com and IDG Enterprise, with a focus on wearable tech, smartphones and tablet PCs. Al managed CIO.com writers and contributors, covered news, and shared insightful expert analysis of key industry happenings. He also wrote a wide variety of tutorials and how-tos to help readers get the most out of their gadgets, and regularly offered up recommendations on software for a number of mobile platforms. Al resides in Boston and is a passionate reader, traveler, beer lover, film buff and Red Sox fan.

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