Tip: Syncing BlackBerry with OS X applications

Mac users are often left standing with the short straw when it comes to the kinds of smartphones they can sync with OS X. If you believe the hype, it almost seems as if Apple's own iPhone is the only way to go. Well, it's not. Plenty of other phones can be synced properly with iCal, Entourage, and even Apple's own Address Book, with the help of third-party software. In this tip segment, I'll focus on the BlackBerry.

RIM does offer a syncing software solution for the Mac on its Web site, called PocketMac for BlackBerry. This simple, free download will easily sync calendar, address book, and task information to and from your BlackBerry. I have read a few negative reviews of the software, but for me, it has worked wonders. Besides, it's free, and that's good enough for most people.

If you want to synchronize more than just that, however, it's time to upgrade to the Missing Sync application for the BlackBerry. Not only can you use Missing Sync to sync personal calendar and address book information, you can also transfer over photos from iPhoto, and even music and podcasts from iTunes. (The latter two are only if you have a multimedia-capable BlackBerry like the BlackBerry Pearl and the BlackBerry Curve.) Another advantage that the Missing Sync application has over the regular PocketMac is that Missing Sync's calendar plug-in has an option for selecting specific calendars. It even has a syncing reminder to remind you to sync. Overall, we really like how clean the interface is and how easy it is to use. You'll have to pay for all these extra features though; the Missing Sync application is $39.95.

These are the only two applications that I've personally tried and tested, so if you have any other ideas on how to properly sync a BlackBerry with the Mac, let me know in the comments below.