GNOME Contacts is an open source application that provides users with an easy way for managing their contacts when working under the well known GNOME desktop environment. The program is a core component of the GNOME project, which means that it is automatically installed in every standard installation of the controversial desktop environment.
Designed for GNOME
It’s an addressbook software for the GNOME project, engineered to integrate with the GNOME Online Accounts application, which means that it aggregates and displays contact data from both local and online sources.
With this small, yet effective application you will be able to search and browse contacts, view and edit contact details, create new contacts, as well as to initiate conversations with contacts (if a supported instant messaging client is installed, e.g. Empathy).
Getting started with GNOME Contacts
When first opened, the application presents users with a small “Contacts Setup” window that features a “Cancel” button (a very strange name for a button that actually closes the application), an inactive “Done” button, an option to create a local address book, and a button that will open the GNOME Online Accounts program.
After selecting your primary contacts account, the “Done” button will be active. When pressed, it will close the setup dialog and open the actual window of the GNOME Contacts application, from where you can add new contacts or view the ones imported from your online accounts.
When adding a new contact, users will be able to enter the full name, email address, phone number, and address. It’s also possible to add as many email, phone and address fields as you want.
Features at a glance
It’s user interface is uncluttered, as it follows the GNOME HIG (Human Interface Guidelines) specification, allowing anyone to use it without prior knowledge of working with Linux applications.
Another interesting feature is the ability to edit contacts and add predefined new details, such as personal email, work email, mobile phone, work phone, home phone, website, nickname, birthday, home address, work address, or notes.
The software also allows users to search for specific contacts, and considering the fact that it’s the only tool to manage contacts under the GNOME desktop environment, it is also our favorite contact management application.
