[TriLUG] Android Phone vs iPhone vs other smartphones

[Ron Kelley]

Here is a snippet of an email thread we had at work a few months ago about the Android and Exchange servers:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd say: "it depends". =)

The native Android mail app does offer Exchange support, but does *not*
support most ActiveSync security policies as of Android 2.0.1 (and from
what I can glean online, not in 2.1 either).  Check out this enhancement
request for details (feel free to log in with your Gmail/Google
credentials and click the star in the upper left to "vote" for it):

http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=4475&colspec=ID%20Type
%20Status%20Owner%20Summary%20Stars

In Android 2.0 I was able to get to my calendar and contacts (but not
mail), but 2.0.1 broke that when Google attempted to make it clearer
during the account setup process that it didn't support some of the
Exchange policies the server had in place:

http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=5337&colspec=ID%20Type
%20Status%20Owner%20Summary%20Stars

All that said: it can be done.  You just need to buy an app called
Touchdown by Nitrodesk for $20 in the Android Market, which offers full
Exchange policy support.  They have a free 5 day trial version so you
can try it out.  There are also one or two other apps out there that
also claim policy support, but I've not tried them personally.  

For myself, I simply use IMAP to get to my email and the free trial
version of Touchdown (some of it's features continue to work after 5
days) to get to my calendar.  It works fine for me given the way I use
my phone, and eventually I expect Google will get full policy support
into the native mail/calendar client.  The main drawback is that it only
works when connected to blizzard via wifi since I don't have a Mobile
Mail Essentials account, but that's not really an issue for me--e.g. I
don't travel much and usually don't need access when I'm on the road.
Your mileage may vary depending on your "work lifestyle" of course.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hope this helps someone...

-Ron




On Mar 17, 2010, at 9:59 AM, David McDowell wrote:

> OK, this thread is perfectly timed for me. I currently have a Droid with
> Verizon for testing as a business replacement to our Sprint 8830 World
> Editions and BES (Blackberry Enterprise Services).  So far, it's fast, the
> screen is neat and it didn't take me too long to type at a decent speed with
> the landscaped touch-type keyboard.  I have a personal Sprint 8330 Curve as
> well, so I'm also using this business test drive as a chance to test for
> home use.
> 
> I use a macbook and so the iPhone is where I lean for personal use.  I have
> not yet tried to sync up anything with my macbook at home as I'm testing the
> Droid for business use.
> 
> ** Here's my biggest issue so far - Do you run Exchange at work and expect
> to sync with it?  Yes, it has an option in the wizard for connecting to
> Exchange.  With port 443 open and the settings for "push" I'm getting
> immediate email notifications and my outlook contacts and calendar have
> synced no problem.  THE issue - Thus far I have no figured out either the
> Droid settings or Exchange Server settings required for my Droid to utilize
> the Exchange/Outlook Global Address List.  I know at least one person on
> this list who says this works but is unable to say how or why.  Without the
> ability to use the GAL, the business use for the Droid when your company
> runs Exchange is just about nil, zip, zero.  Has anyone crossed this bridge
> and have any suggestions?  I have heard of "corporate directory" but that
> its integration into the Exchange email app is indirect and clumsy at best.
> I would have expected GAL to work out of box.  Both Verizon and Motorola
> have so far both told me that even Exchange functionality doesn't exist...
> yet I'm connected by a wizard in the Droid to Exchange... great support
> lines... so I'm still researching this issue.
> 
> Otherwise the Droid is neat, the Google stuff is cool, particularly the FREE
> Nav beta tools.  The Google apps work well.  The $30 mount plus hard shell
> case is the way to go for ease of taking it out pocket and putting it in
> "car" mode for voice nav or calling.
> 
> Droid/iPhone for personal use... I'm still undecided but I know I hate my
> Curve now LOL
> Droid/iPhone for business use... Droid will depend on GAL.  iPhone already
> does this successfully so I'm told by many :)
> 
> laters,
> David McDowell
> 
> On Tue, Mar 16, 2010 at 8:44 PM, Carl Crider <c.crider at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> I have the same questions. Will the droid (in this case an HTC) be able to
>> compete with my BB Curve?
>> 
> 
> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: kwoodie at gmail.com
>> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:53:00
>> To: Triangle Linux Users Group General Discussion<trilug at trilug.org>
>> Subject: [TriLUG] Android Phone vs iPhone vs other smartphones
>> 
>> Ok so I am thinking about switching from my blackberry curve to a Android
>> based phone or an iPhone.  Which is the best in the eyes of TriLUG?
>> 
>> FYI I do own a mac book pro, so any Mac specific benefits should be
>> considered.
>> 
>> Thanks!
>> 
>> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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