Palm OS BlackBerry Email Alternatives

Posted By: Ryan Friday, February 24, 2006 10:56:48 AM

Today is the big day in the RIM vs. NTP patent suit. A US judge is hearing arguments from both companies and is expected to reach a decision on the shutdown (update: no shutdown ruling today). Whatever the outcome, this whole ordeal has forced IT managers and companies to take a closer look at alternatives to BlackBerry devices. In this article, PalmInfocenter takes a look at Palm OS wireless messaging alternatives to the RIM push email service.

Palm RIM Blackberry Alternatives Good
Good Technology offers GoodLink, a wireless messaging and corporate data access system that provides mobile field forces with a two-way wirelessly synchronized connection to Microsoft Exchange Server (enterprise email, contacts, calendar, notes and tasks) and other critical applications like CRM, ERP and SCM. GoodLink includes synchronizing server software, security and application software for managing multiple networks and a variety of devices including the Treo 650.

Intellisync
Intellisync offers a number of options including a hosted push email service. According to the Company, Intellisync Wireless Email Express is one of the fastest and simplest ways to “have a BlackBerry-like experience for wireless email on virtually any data-enabled mobile device.” The service also offers PIM sync that keeps users’ inboxes, calendars, contacts, tasks and notes up to date while they are away from the office. Intellisync was recently acquired by Nokia.

Consilient
Consilient Technologies is another player in the wireless push email group. Consilient Mobile Mail extends wireless functionality and features of the Treo, including wireless email, wireless reconciliation, and attachment support. Email platforms supported for push email on Treo include Oracle Collaboration Suite, Sun Java System Messaging Server (iPlanet, Netscape), Novell GroupWise, Cyrus, Mirapoint or any IMAP4 server. They also offer a hosted version as well as a enterprise edition which integrates into an organization’s existing network behind the firewall.

Visto
Visto offers Visto Mobile, which provides departmental and enterprise access to corporate email without the need for a desktop computer. Visto Mobile Enterprise Server is software installed inside the corporate firewall that integrates with either Microsoft Exchange or IBM Lotus Domino to provide mobile workers with real-time, secure access to corporate data.

Yahoo Mobile
Yahoo! even has a push email Treo solution available for the consumer market. The service allows consumers to sign into and manage their Yahoo! Mail account from their phone, including, easy message management and access to their Yahoo! Address Book.

BlackBerry Connect for Palm OS
We've been hearing for ages that Palm and PalmSource have been working with RIM on bringing BlackBerry Connect software to the Palm OS. This solution from Palm & RIM will bring BlackBerry like service and compatibility with existing RIM server deployments. Palm says they will make this available for the Treo 650 sometime in early 2006.

VersaMail
VersaMail, the email application that is pre-installed on the Treo, offers options for automatic email fetching at specified intervals. While this is not true push email, it can be convenient as it will automatically check your email when you want it to. It supports POP3 and IMAP servers as well as GMail. VersaMail also has Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support built in which allows you to directly wirelessly synchronize with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 accounts.

If VersaMail isn't your thing, there is a large variety of email clients available for the Palm OS.

RoadSync
DataViz also offers a wireless software solution to provide secure, wireless and direct synchronization with Exchange Server 2003. RoadSync for Palm Powered devices offers access to corporate Outlook e-mail with attachments.

Chattermail
Chatteremail is another popular push email program for Treo smartphones. It adds push email with compatible IMAP servers, two-way syncing of messages, a color-coded summary mailbox and background operation. It does not require any third-party “intermediate” server or desktop redirection software.

The Palm OS platform offers organizations a large variety of Push email and wireless messaging options. Using an open platform gives customers and IT managers much more choice and flexibility in building wireless communication services on a number of different mobile devices and smartphones.

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Also, Exchange 2003 SP2

batmon @ 2/24/2006 2:36:12 PM #

Exchange 2003 SP2 and WM5 will do PUSH emails. I don't have a 700w but I think it suppose to work without any additional middleware. Admin can even configure it to erase all data if 3 password tries failed. :-)

RE: Also, Exchange 2003 SP2

Ryan @ 2/24/2006 2:46:15 PM #

Yes you are correct, however this functionality has not been released yet and is for Windows Mobile. You have to install a Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP) to enable this and its not out yet. Palm has pledged to release this soon, but I don't think they've set a date. See - http://tinyurl.com/p46xt

RE: Also, Exchange 2003 SP2

twizza @ 2/24/2006 5:11:00 PM #

You can do SMS triggered 'get email' right now in which many wont notice. But yea, waiting till that comes out would be the tipping point for WM devices. And I am sure that BBConnect would be running out around the same time.

mobileministrymagazine.com
antoinerjwright.com

RE: Also, Exchange 2003 SP2

EdH @ 2/24/2006 5:14:39 PM #

Ryan @ 2/24/2006 2:46:15 PM
Yes you are correct, however this functionality has not been released yet and is for Windows Mobile

Yes it has. MS released it months ago and OEMs are starting to trickle out devices with it on there. I know one phone already can be purchased with this functionality, and companies like IMate, Verizon, Cingular, T-Mobile and others are committed to updating their devices in the coming weeks.

Also, even without the functionality, Exchange 2003 has always been able to push the message to the device. It pings the device with an SMS message that triggers a sync. The problem is, SMS messages can be delayed, especially if roaming, and you pay for each SMS - or it gets deducted from your plan. Exchange 2003 SP2 just uses a pure HTTP mechanism to trigger the sync. Works globally, roaming or not, is timely and is covered under normal data plans.

No Injunction Yet

Caspian @ 2/24/2006 3:02:50 PM #

The judge has held off on issuing an injunction, so non-BlackBerry work arounds may not be necessary.

Even so, I have already decided that I will move to the Treo 700p with BlackBerry Connect when (if) they become available. I like my BlackBerry device OK, but I miss my Palm OS applications.

David
Palm III> Palm IIIx> Palm IIIc> Sony T615> Sony T665> Sony TH55

RIMM settled - it's over - in more ways than one

SeldomVisitor @ 3/3/2006 5:22:50 PM #

Nuff said.

The TRUE crime in this RIM/NTP saga...

hkklife @ 2/24/2006 3:24:37 PM #

...is Palm not having at LEAST one new POS Treo waiting in the wings. Regardless of the outcome of the RIM verdict, a lot of people are going to be looking for BB alternatives for any number of reasons (comfort with POS,better media capabilities, prefer the FF etc). Palm should be ASHAMED of themselves for not having anything other than a single model running a "competitor's" OS available on ONE carrier and an 18-month old neutered Treo 650.

At the very least, issue a cryptic press release that SOMETHING is forthcoming or cleverly leak a few pics onto Engadget etc.

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory seems Palm's MO time and time again.

Pilot 1000-->Pilot 5000-->PalmPilot Pro-->IIIe-->Vx-->m505-->T|T-->T|T2-->T|C-->T|T3-->T|T5-->TX

Chatteremail is the best push email solution

horatio8 @ 2/24/2006 4:00:50 PM #

Chatter is the best push email soluiton for the Treo, IMHO. It works great with any IMAP or Exchange server. The developer is constantly improving the product and provides great support. I used Versamail for an hour before I dumped it for Chatter.

Could you please add Chatter to the list?

RE: Chatteremail is the best push email solution

Ryan @ 2/24/2006 4:20:53 PM #

Thanks for the tip on Chattermail. I knew I missed a couple of options. I added it to the article. Let me know if there are any others I missed.

RE: Chatteremail is the best push email solution

DerNik @ 2/25/2006 6:48:40 PM #

I use chatter and it does it's job quite good without having the need of middle ware. However beside the great email synchronization i am missing a sync for contacts, appointments and the other exchange stuff like memos and todos. I am tired about the wired and asynchronous synchronization.

Could you please point out the solutions which sync more objects than only emails?

How about SnapperMail?

SilvrDrgn @ 2/26/2006 8:05:16 AM #

SnapperMail is designed to run on all PalmOS devices (not just the Treo line like Chatter). It's an excellent program with a great feature set and intuitive interface!