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May 4, 2009 5:40 PM PDT

Google launches stand-alone contacts manager

by Erik Palm
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Google has launched a contacts manager that users of services like Google Docs, Picasa, and Calendar can use, without having to be a Gmail users.

Aimed at letting users share contacts more easily between different services, Google Contacts works like any other contacts function. You can import and export your contacts from other sources such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Yahoo, or Hotmail. For Apple you must use a utility called "A to G."

If you are part of a business, school or other organization using Google Apps, the administrator will have to enable this functionality within the control panel by clicking on the "add more services" link, finding the "Contacts" option and clicking the "add it now" button.

You can find the stand alone contact manager here.

Erik Palm, a business reporter for Swedish national television, is joining CNET News as a spring 2009 fellow with Stanford University's Innovation Journalism program. When he's not working, he enjoys kayaking and exploring California's hiking trails. E-mail Erik.
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by cvaldes1831 May 4, 2009 6:17 PM PDT
I don't know why this is being reported now. Google Contacts launched back in September 2008.
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by SIGHUP May 4, 2009 6:47 PM PDT
Maybe Erik saw the Beta logo and thought it was new.
by cvaldes1831 May 4, 2009 6:58 PM PDT
Heh heh, you mean like Gmail?
by Humdizzle May 4, 2009 8:57 PM PDT
Once again, CNET on the cutting edge :-)
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by mahurshi May 4, 2009 10:27 PM PDT
Now.. if they can only "upgrade" Gmail contacts and make it as cool as Yahoo contacts, that would be great. :-)
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by bearlaw1968 October 29, 2009 12:51 PM PDT
This is not a standalone by definition. Standalone means not an Exchange account. I have yet to see how Google or the Droid system is going to synchronize my standalone Outlook contacts without having to buy a third-party software. I have been using a standalone version of Outlook with POP/IMAP accounts for over twelve years and don't need the maintenance of an Exchange server from home (anymore) so I sure hope they don't expect people to abandon the years of customization some of us have done..
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