In case you missed the announcement (which to be honest, I'm not even sure it's been "formally" announced), IBM plans to provide both the iPhone and any mobile device that supports the Activesync protocol real-time access to their email, calendar, contacts and tasks.

Up until now, devices had to rely on iNotes, web use, or third party services running on the device (including Traveler). With Activesync support, from what I'm reading, Activesync will connect directly to a Traveler server from the device just as it would an Exchange server.

What does this mean for Windows Mobile users? Everything, as far as I'm concerned. I use third-party software to have realtime access to all Lotus services on my Treo. While it's great, it does require services to be running all the time on the device, and let's face it - every piece of memory you can squeeze out of a device is crucial, especially for WinMo - which isn't exactly known for its blazing fast speeds.

I use a Treo to connect to my Domino server with extra services running on the device. My husband uses an identical Treo, which he previously connected to his company's Exchange server through native Activesync on the device (he's since switched to Notes).

Two identical Treo's, both syncing real time access to Calendar, Mail, Tasks, and Contacts. However, his device can run circles around mine in terms of speed. His device FLIES. Why? With native Activesync, it's built into the device. There's no need for any additional services, which means all that memory is free to do other things.

With native Activesync support, my device will now have the speed it needs, as well as realtime access, not to mention a 20-second configuration directly from the device. Simply put in your Traveler server information where you would previously put Exchange, and it automagically syncs.

I will be eagerly awaiting a release, which hopefully is coming in the next year. At a recent Bloggers Q&A with Lotus Execs, I believe it was Alistair Rennie who said that Lotus is working hard on its promise to make announcements at Lotusphere, and then plan to deliver on them within 12 months.

I'll be ready!

Jess

Technorati: Lotusphere2009

1. Jess Stratton01/22/2009 10:01:05 AM

Craig, looks like we will both be watching closely over the year to see what happens. I've heard similar statements to yours, though - Traveler DOES work on Windows Mobile devices, so of course they will focus priority on devices that don't even support it yet.

I just thought it was worth mentioning as a huge win for WinMo devices also. As a forum participant with WinMo, people have been asking for other mail devices to work with native Activesync (GMail, Lotus Notes, etc) as it's just so damn easy.

Any time we don't have to run additional services or install .cab files is great - these devices, as much as I love it, it does huff and chuff sometimes to get up the hill.

I'll be waiting to hear what happens.

-Jess

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2. Craig Wiseman01/21/2009 04:25:06 PM
Homepage: http://www.Wiseman.La/cpw

At first I rejoiced just as you have, but I've been looking at the fine print.

My translation of this is "Enough ActiveSync features supported to make the iPhone work, and we're considering what other devices to support as well."

Sigh. This is NOT a blanket "We will support ActiveSync" announcement, it's a "this is how we'll finally be able to support iPhone sync, since we can't apparently kiss Apple's a..., er, ring enough to get them to work with Traveler".

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