Gmail has come up with a new functionality which allows its users to sync their mobile phone contacts with Gmail contact list. It not only allows free online backup of critical information, but also allows easy movement of contacts between phones in case a handset is lost or has been changed.

To avail the sync feature, GPRS connectivity is required along with SyncML functionality, which is present in most of the mid-range standard phones available in the market today, like Nokia 1680, 2600, 2630, Sony Ericsson K-series and advanced sets such as, iPhone, Blackberry and others having Symbian or Windows mobile operating systems. Let's see how it is done in a Nokia or Sony Ericsson phone. Menu locations might differ slightly from model to model, but the basic settings remain the same.

Nokia standard phones

Go to Menu > Settings > Configuration > Personal Configuration Settings. This is where all the internet related services such as Web, IM, MMS are added and appear in the list if already configured. Then, go to Actions > Add New; Select Synchronisation from this list; in Account Name field, enter Gmail; in Server address field, enter https//m.google.com/syncml. Note that, this is https, signifying secure connection. Enter Gmail username and password in respective fields, and note that the username should be in the form of username@gmail.com.

The next item to be defined is the name of contacts databases — enter Contacts. Do not define any other database, username or password. If the handset is already configured for internet usage, an Access Point would already be present — in this case select Yes in Use preferred Access Point menu. Otherwise, define an Access Point and set that as preferred to be used here. Press Back to go to previous menu and see that Gmail sync account now appears in the Personal Accounts list.

To start synchronisation, go to Settings > Connectivity > Data Transfer and select Server Sync. A list of items to be synchronised will be presented. Only contacts database was defined, that is why only Contacts will appear with a checkbox; mark this and press Done followed by Save; press Yes at the prompt 'Synchronise data with Personal Config. Gmail Contacts?'.

At this point, 'initialising sync' progress bar appears with GPRS icon showing connectivity being established. Then, Sync/Receive contacts screen is displayed which will show total number of items synchronised so far.

Sony Ericsson phones

Configuring and initiating synchronisation is relatively easy in standard Sony Ericsson phones. Go to Organiser > Synchronisation > New Account. Enter account name, server address, username, password, applications (select only Contacts here) and finally set database name as Contacts under App settings > Contacts.

Leave the last three options — sync interval, remote initiation, remote security — to their defaults and press Save. In the list of synchronisation accounts, simply select the newly defined account and press Start.

Other phones

In Windows mobile phones, use Active Sync application, and define server name as only m.google.com and select the encrypted connection checkbox below it. Nokia's E and N series with Symbian S60 have this option under Contacts > Options > Synchronisation > Settings. An additional setting here would be Port that should be 443.

Synchronised contacts appear over Gmail contact list, accessible from where the web connectivity is available.

Another advantage of online synchronisation is that Bluetooth or USB cable connectivity is not required to transfer contacts over PC. And as mobility is increasing, online backup over a trusted email service provider is an added advantage. Other than Google, there are other providers of SyncML services that can be used for online synchronisation of contacts, calendar and notes etc., such as ZYB.com.