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Coming soon: Microsoft 'push' e-mail | |
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| Time: 08:16 EST/13:16 GMT | News Source: Seattle PI | Posted By: Chris Hedlund | ||
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Microsoft Corp. released a new version of its Windows operating system for mobile phones and other small devices yesterday, citing improved reliability and new features that it hopes will boost its presence on handheld gadgets. But the company said users of the latest Windows Mobile software will have to wait a while longer for one of the most popular mobile features -- the type of instantaneous e-mail that has driven growth of rival Research in Motion Inc.'s BlackBerry devices. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates told software developers at a conference in Las Vegas yesterday that his company is working on the technology, commonly known as "push" e-mail. The feature gives users the ability to send and receive messages in a matter of seconds, rather than waiting for a device to synchronize at longer intervals. | ||
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| #1 By 7754 (216.160.8.41) at 5/11/2005 11:37:42 AM |
| Good move. I've played with both the Samsung i600 and the BlackBerries, and though Exchange ActiveSync is available, it's just not the same as the BlackBerry service, in my opinion. Exchange currently issues a special SMS message to the phone that tells it to initiate ActiveSync, which of course works, but ActiveSync isn't the most reliable sync software, and it's SLOW--it goes through the entire process. The BlackBerry service is much more granular--a message comes in, and the server finds the device and sends just that message. With the BES 4.0, everything syncs wirelessly--email, calendar, tasks, etc. You can also give out the devices unconfigured (in the field, remotely), give the user a password, and it will configure itself. And you can wipe the device, set device policies (require passwords, etc.), set the user information screen, send out individual/global alerts, etc. On the other hand, the Windows-based devices have much more powerful hardware and capabilities, so if they can provide those kinds of services via Exchange, they'd have a winner. |
| #2 By 23275 (68.17.42.38) at 5/12/2005 8:26:20 AM |
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#1 Good observations. We support both in production for customers - BES 3.6/4.0 and also EX2K3 with native OMA using our own CA for i600, newer VX6600 and also some Treo's with a 3rd party email client. BB RIM Devices range from data only devices to integrated voice/data as from Nextel, etc...
The verdict is still out on both - with all users wanting Smart Phone, or PDA/Phone features with a form factor more like RIM - basically, they want the thumb-board. The VX6600 has it and supports sync on send, which helped a lot, but you're right, push is definately needed. About speed...we've noted OMA is very fast and people like the phones and associated carrier's service a great deal more. Verizon's NW for example is pretty good and offers better voice qaulity. They also like the rich text support - but again, the thum-board. We use a mix of devices, and I use the 6600 but even with its lighted thum-board, one still has to slide the face up to reveal it - which makes its weight top heavy. Its rounded base stinks, too - providing less corner area to hold it steady as one thumbs away. If it were square there would be enough contact area to hold it steady. One huge plus is Bluetooth which works in our vehicles and also very good wireless headsets that actually work. Most of us find ourselves sending more voice email responses to received text emails, or voice/video emails. This is an important strength that is overlooked on the Windows Mobile platform - one can provide a more complete and thoughtful message more easily than one can on a BB RIM. Most BB RIM messages I receive are all but meaningless....common messages are limited to what most senders thumb out while driving....like, "Okay" "Sure" or really weird messages we refer to as, "the fish swims through the sea...., or john has a long moustache..." Inside jokes for the cryptic chatter that characterizes many RIM messages. A voice email response provides for a lot more meaningful message, which OMA/Smart Phone support. |
| #3 By 7754 (216.160.8.41) at 5/12/2005 11:36:11 AM |
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Yes, it's definitely true that most folks aren't sending messages via BlackBerry in our case as well, although I certainly do (and have gotten pretty fast at typing on it), and there are some that depend on it. As far as the voice email goes, though, I think in our case they would just call the person directly, although I can see in certain situations where it would be handy to send it as an attachment. Not everyone has speakers at their desk, though.
I haven't played with OMA at all, but I can imagine that it's a good deal faster than ActiveSync, and gives you the ability to browse through your entire account rather than just say 30 days worth of messages. What has your experience been with the Treos? Are you using Good? I've heard that the ActiveSync support in the 650s only works about 1/3 of the time or so at this point, but I haven't tried it myself. Another thing I like about the BES 4.0 is the ability to remotely back up the devices. In terms of support, they seem to be much more IT-friendly than the Windows Mobile or Palm devices. If one of our Pocket PCs or Smartphones loses its memory, it's not exactly a straightforward process to restore it--or in the case of the Smartphone, not even possible! It's a shame, because there are some nifty features that are missing on the BlackBerry side--cameras, other accessories, software, mp3/media player, SD cards, speed.... :) Part of the beauty of the BlackBerry comes with its simplicity... but at the same time, it's rather frustrating when the device essentially hangs every couple of minutes for a few seconds as it receives data information. But you aren't paying a fortune for the devices, either--the 7100s, for example, are easily found for under $200, and for a combination phone/PDA, they are about as slick and as nice a form factor (super light!) as they come in terms of actual usage, notwithstanding the lack of some bells and whistles. I'm very much looking forward to what Microsoft has up its sleeve, though. |
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