Nokia Licenses ActiveSync Allowing Devices To Communicate With Exchange

[Ed Hansberry]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.informationweek.com/news/mobility/messaging/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=210600815' target='_blank'>http://www.informationweek.com/news...cleID=210600815</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"In a move that could make organizing a mobile worker's life easier, Nokia (NYSE: NOK) announced Tuesday it is enabling Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync on all of its S60 3rd edition handsets. The company did have a downloadable option for ActiveSync since 2006, but it was only available for limited handsets and the company told InformationWeek it didn't do a good job publicizing that option. The S60 series phones are all powered by the Symbian operating system, which is optimized the OS for convergence with current multimedia applications as well as making enhancements to its security. "</em><br /><br />That makes 4 mobile platforms that now have some form of ActiveSync built in that allow server syncing with Exchange - Windows Mobile, PalmOS, iPhone 2.0 and Nokia's Symbian S60 series. Nokia has said the option will be coming to the E and N series devices as well.<br /><br />While this strengthens the Windows Server/Exchange platform, I cannot help but think this weakens the Windows Mobile position. It has bee one of the strengths of the platform distinguishing it from others as an enterprise solution. Now, it is more and more just one of the choices a business professional has.<br /></p>

[Stinger]

That makes 4 mobile platforms that now have some form of ActiveSync built in that allow server syncing with Exchange - [...] Nokia's Symbian S60 series. Nokia has said the option will be coming to the E and N series devices as well.

All E- and N-series phones use S60.

[djdj]

Windows Mobile will probably always do ActiveSync best. On the iPhone, for example, ActiveSync only automatically synchronizes the Inbox; other folders cannot be synchronized in real time. And there is no server search feature, or out-of-office message feature either.

[Pony99CA]

While this strengthens the Windows Server/Exchange platform, I cannot help but think this weakens the Windows Mobile position. It has bee one of the strengths of the platform distinguishing it from others as an enterprise solution. Now, it is more and more just one of the choices a business professional has.
Yes, it certainly weakens Windows Mobile. You posted earlier this week about BlackBerry's marketshare surpassing that of Windows Mobile (http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/f352/rim-surpasses-windows-mobile-marketshare-90600.html), and this won't help.

However, it strengthens Exchange against BlackBerry server, and I suspect that Microsoft views Exchange as a more strategic asset than Windows Mobile. However, if Exchange can become the dominant leader and put RIM out of business, BlackBerry's marketshare would drop to almost zero. :D

Steve

[JKingGrim]

Windows Mobile will probably always do ActiveSync best. On the iPhone, for example, ActiveSync only automatically synchronizes the Inbox; other folders cannot be synchronized in real time. And there is no server search feature, or out-of-office message feature either.
Yes, it certainly weakens Windows Mobile. You posted earlier this week about BlackBerry's marketshare surpassing that of Windows Mobile (http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/f352/rim-surpasses-windows-mobile-marketshare-90600.html), and this won't help.

However, it strengthens Exchange against BlackBerry server, and I suspect that Microsoft views Exchange as a more strategic asset than Windows Mobile. However, if Exchange can become the dominant leader and put RIM out of business, BlackBerry's marketshare would drop to almost zero. :D

SteveI would argue that due to these point, this strengthens Windows Mobile. The more devices syncing with exchange, the more blackberry market share will shrink. As users turn away from blackberry, the best exchange option is Windows Mobile. Sure some will choose iphone or blackberry, but many will choose WM. And especially if MS can shape up their OS with the next major version on the verge of release, they can make WM the most appealing choice.

[Pony99CA]

I would argue that due to these point, this strengthens Windows Mobile. The more devices syncing with exchange, the more blackberry market share will shrink. As users turn away from blackberry, the best exchange option is Windows Mobile. Sure some will choose iphone or blackberry, but many will choose WM. And especially if MS can shape up their OS with the next major version on the verge of release, they can make WM the most appealing choice.
I sort of touched on that in my last paragraph, but it relies on a couple of large assumptions. Most obviously, that BlackBerry marketshare declines, but that's not a foregone conclusion, especially with BlackBerry marketshare passing WM marketshare last quarter.

The other assumption is that people will choose WM over the iPhone or Nokia (I'm discounting Palm here). If people find Nokia or the iPhone good enough, even if BlackBerry's share does go down, WM may not gain those users.

Regardless, in the short term, I think this is bad for WM. What happens longer term (with WM 7 and beyond) remains to be seen, of course.

Steve