[Mike Temporale]

They aren't all attachments any more. Check out this new PPCPE with a slide out keyboard. If they put something like this in a Smartphone or a BB..... :drool:



You can read more about it on PPCT here

[Mike Temporale]

They aren't all attachments any more. Check out this new PPCPE with a slide out keyboard. If they put something like this in a Smartphone or a BB..... :drool:



You can read more about it on PPCT here

[Philip Colmer]

Originally Posted by Mike Temporale

They aren't all attachments any more. Check out this new PPCPE with a slide out keyboard. If they put something like this in a Smartphone or a BB..... :drool:

Very interesting ... and it looks as if Vodafone (the carrier we use) are going to be selling this in Germany - initially not much good to me, but hopefully they will push them out to the UK as well.

I've been giving some more thought to the pros & cons of BlackBerry versus Exchange 2003 UTD.

Now, as I understand it, the BlackBerry device uses GPRS and "somehow" the BlackBerry server pushes the email out to the BB device. Presumably, this means that the GPRS connection needs to be live all of the time in order for that to work. No GPRS = no email.

On the other hand, UTD works by sending an SMS to your device (that you don't see - the device intercepts it) and your device then tries to connect to the Exchange server. I think that one of the benefits of this approach is that, for PPCPEs at least, this connection ought to be possible over WiFi as well as over GPRS (since I can synchronise my PPC over WiFi) but you might not have that level of flexibility. Even if you don't, it also occurs to me that an advantage is that you don't need the GPRS connection to be alive all of the time - you just need the phone hardware to be live.

Does that make sense?

On the feature side, Exchange allows full synchronisation of mail folders, calendar and contacts. It is easy to send an email to a contact but I haven't figure out how to use the Global Address Book on the Exchange server.

From what I've seen on the BB web site, it looks as if you only get Inbox email. Contacts appear to work in a similar manner to the PPC - the device has its own contacts but you can perform a lookup. It also synchronises the calendar.

So Exchange just wins on features by virtue of being able to synchronise more folders, but who wants that? I personally only synchronise my Inbox.

Choices, choices, choices :roll:

--Philip

[Philip Colmer]

I've just read the transcript from a Microsoft Support WebCast about troubleshooting Exchange Server 2003 ActiveSync issues.

It makes it very clear in there that Exchange has to send the AUTD message via the mobile carrier so that it gets delivered correctly. The implication, therefore, is that if your carrier doesn't mention or advertise support for Exchange 2003 & AUTD, you aren't going to get it to work.

So I'm now back to looking at BlackBerry :twak:

--Philip

[Kris Kumar]

Originally Posted by Philip Colmer

It makes it very clear in there that Exchange has to send the AUTD message via the mobile carrier so that it gets delivered correctly. The implication, therefore, is that if your carrier doesn't mention or advertise support for Exchange 2003 & AUTD, you aren't going to get it to work.

Have to use the carrier..that's bad. Or maybe this must be to prevent spamming or something.

Not sure if you know about this newsgroup. The folks out there I am sure would have more knowledge about the setup and initial configuration. And how to find a SMTP to SMS gateway, if one is required. BTW can't Exchange send an E-Mail like xxxxxxxxxx @ t-momail.net or xxxxxxxxxx @ mycarrier.com, which gets automatically converted to an SMS for the AUTD notification?

Microsoft.public.exchange.mobility

[Kris Kumar]

Originally Posted by Philip Colmer

Now, as I understand it, the BlackBerry device uses GPRS and "somehow" the BlackBerry server pushes the email out to the BB device. Presumably, this means that the GPRS connection needs to be live all of the time in order for that to work. No GPRS = no email.

That is true. Wish a BlackBerry (and/or Exchange) expert could jump in on this thread to clarify some of the stuff. :-)

I believe it is something to do with the number of open connections. Not sure but Smartphones (at least the GSM ones) can do only Voice OR Data. Not both. BlackBerry devices may have a different approach. I remember reading about Verizon i600 supporting Voice AND Data after the WM2003 upgrade. Don't know what the deal is. Also GSM devices have various Classes - A, B, C. Class A does GSM - GPRS simultaneously. But here also I am sure both BlackBerry and MS Smartphones are Class B devices. Its just that BlackBerry is always on GPRS/Data and switches to Voice when I need to make a call or a call comes in. Whereas on Smartphones its the other way round. Data is on demand. Actually both Data and Voice are on demand.

Check this Doc from the BB White Papers. Page 8, Advanced Wireless Networks talks about constant, always on connection.

(All this makes me really depressed. I used to be good with tech and how it works stuff. There is a lot to learn. ops: )

Originally Posted by Philip Colmer

On the other hand, UTD works by sending an SMS to your device (that you don't see - the device intercepts it) and your device then tries to connect to the Exchange server. I think that one of the benefits of this approach is that, for PPCPEs at least, this connection ought to be possible over WiFi as well as over GPRS (since I can synchronise my PPC over WiFi) but you might not have that level of flexibility. Even if you don't, it also occurs to me that an advantage is that you don't need the GPRS connection to be alive all of the time - you just need the phone hardware to be live.

The scenario you described could be used to justify the benefits of having WiFi (on top of GSM/CDMA) on mobile devices. The Connection Manager on the PPCPE I am sure would use the WiFi for sync. That would definitely mean faster sync.

Originally Posted by Philip Colmer

So Exchange just wins on features by virtue of being able to synchronise more folders, but who wants that? I personally only synchronise my Inbox.

Choices, choices, choices :roll:

Choices are good...and bad. :-) They can make life miserable.

But I agree, in terms of data exposed Microsoft Exchange may outperform BlackBerry. But whatever little BlackBerry (BES and BB handheld) does, it does a good job. It does it well.

I feel in the future BB will face tough competition from Smartphones (and PPCPE). PPCPE and Smartphones are the only ones that support Exchange. And now that these devices are available in different shapes/sizes/forms. The enterprises are bound to pick them up. Especially the Smartphones. BBs and PPCPEs look so geeky when you are making a phone.

If your company is planning on enabling mobile access. Exchange may be the cost effective option. And I think you should evaluate the device options. Which device fits the target population the best. Especially when the target population is fussy. ;-)