Microsoft Exchange.

[Jakes26]

Hi, nothing heard about this support yet. Can we please have an update. I appreciate you're busy but there are clearly a number of people including myself, who bought this app not appreciating Active Sync was not supported there by rendering this app obsolete.

I'd appreciate some news from you on this soon.

Thanks Jake

[Kostya Vasilyev]

@Jakes26

1 - Can't agree with the "rendering this app obsolete" part. There is a large number of people who've never used Exchange in their life -- and I'm not trying to get into a religious argument (as things related to MS often turn out), it's just a fact of life.

2 - I don't recall ever claiming, anywhere, that the app supports ActiveSync. That would be disseminating misinformation, not something I enjoy doing.

3 - I know that better Exchange support is important, and do want to add it, but it has not been an easy road with this app. Would have liked to have it in the app already, and a bunch of other things, but....

4 - If you would like to get a refund because you really need ActiveSync / Exchange now, please contact me by email.

[Rachel Ambler]

Just my 2c...

I'm not so sure ActiveSync support within AquaMail is such a good idea, given Kostya's limited resources (1 man^*, 1 bedroom).

Whilst it's true Outlook.com doesn't yet support IMAP, there are many rumblings that it will. GMail is cutting back on it's ActiveSync usage and most other email providers give both IMAP and POP3 access.

So, that really just leaves corporate providers: When you're in that situation then you're quite probably looking at more than just email - for example calendering is also important (accept meetings etc). Not so sure if AquaMail should dedicate resources to support calendering.

Also, many more corporate environments are beginning to tighten up the requirements for what devices can connect to their Exchange Servers - forcing device encryption for one is becoming higher up the list, as is the ability to remote wipe the device (or at least the mail store). Again not so sure if delving into this level of functionality is perhaps the best use of Kostya's time.

Granted yes there are still many exchange servers that don't force that (for now), but the question I'd ask is how many users out there really want this functionality, as opposed more basic generic functionality that would help out more everyday users? I know that there have been a vocal number of people here on the forums that have +1'd the requirement, but how many AquaMail users really need this when they can be better served I feel with other solutions (e.g. Touchdown - admittedly expensive, but possibly the best Exchange client available for the 'droid [I've not tried Emoze])?

Personally I'd like to see Kostya concentrate his resources on making AquaMail the best darned generic Android email application out there. There are many competitors out there (K9, Kaiten, MailDroid, Enhanced Email) but for me personally AquaMail is already set to outpace them all just concentrating what it's good at.

Like I say, my 2c worth is all.

^* I'm assuming from my day's of reading Tolstoy that you were male - please forgive me if I'm wrong! 

[Mr.Tee]

Hi Kostya Vasilyev,

I just purchased the PRO version of Aquamail for my Android HTC One X phone, but I also did not read the description closely, that Activesync for Microsoft Exchange is not supported... (my mistake, as I always ask people to RTFM ;-)) ... anyway I don't want my money back, as your app is excellent and properly the best on the market, so I would like to support you.

I only want to ask you kindly if you have a new status update regarding the development of the Exchange support, as your last update in this thread was on the 06-03-2013 - so I just wonder if anything new has happend the last 7 months please?

By the way, I see that this forum thread has been viewed nearly 4,400 times, so I guess there is a huge wish for this request for enhancement / development.

------------------------------
06-03-2013 by admin Kostya Vasilyev:
3 - I know that better Exchange support is important, and do want to add it, but it has not been an easy road with this app. Would have liked to have it in the app already, and a bunch of other things, but....
------------------------------

Many thanks in advance.

Kind regards,

Mr. Tee

[Kostya Vasilyev]

Hello,

I've been finally (!!!) able to work on Exchange since 1.2.5.5 or thereabouts.

Please see this:

http://www.aqua-mail.com/forum/index.php?topic=1618.0

Since then I implemented more stuff, today it was the sync of read and flagged message state changes back to the server. Will work on moving messages between folders tomorrow.

So things are progressing.

[catarina]

Hello thread, another one here registered (mostly) because of the Exchange support. I had no idea Exchange/ActiveSync was not supported as it is supported even in the default Android mail app and this one is so much "better" in every aspect... When I reaoized it can NOT replace the default client in its current state, because I can't use my most important mail account (work), first I wanted a refund, then I Googled and here I am to add my +1. So I'm really glad to read Kostya's latest post. Waiting (im)patiently. Thanks!

[Kostya Vasilyev]

Working on drafts / sending which is the last large piece of work.

Отправлено с моего GT-N7100 при помощи Tapatalk

[ChrisGarza87]

Just registered to give another +1 for Exchange Active sync -  This email app will be number one once you implement the Exchange Active Sync function, currently at this time no other email apps even come close to what your app delivers and because your app hits all points I believe once you add this feature your application will skyrocket. The look and feel along with the widget features are just perfect.

I purchased the Full app and Its soooo great however, being a manager in the IT department active Sync is a must.

[Rachel Ambler]

er, you do realize that EWS has been available in AquaMail for the last 2 odd months and that folk here have reported great success in contacting all manner of Exchange servers using it...?

There'll be no ActiveSync though since the costs and time were prohibitive.

[Kostya Vasilyev]

Thank you Rachel, once again

I chose to go with EWS, not ActiveSync because:

- EWS is a native Exchange protocol, and as far as I can tell, it's on par with, or close to, ActiveSync in terms of Exchange specific features (for example, and not limited to, searching the Global Address List, and replying to meeting invites).

- ActiveSync requires a license from MS. Signing a contract would not be difficult, but the logistics of complying with its terms would be. I'm not at liberty to elaborate, but let's just say that it just won't be practical.

[keithl]

I was using Enhanced Email, but it has had issues with various releases of Android. The problem for corporate users on android is the lack of a really good android Exchange email/calendar integration. I think adding Active Sync and calendar integration would make this the must have Android email app. I would have not problem paying $9.99 or maybe even $19.99 for an app that did all that in Aqua Mail.

[Kostya Vasilyev]

Oh my.

The more I write everywhere I can that ActiveSync requires complying with a complicated licensing scheme, that I deliberately chose EWS, that EWS is a native Exchange protocol, that it's been available since Exchange 2007 SP1 (more than six!!! years ago), that it's enabled by default unless the server admin is a paranoid freak --

-- the more requests I get specifically about ActiveSync.

Going to check the mirror -- maybe there is an ActiveSync tattoo on my forehead?

It's EWS now and EWS it's gong to be, unless this app gets purchased by a "real corporation" (and the probability of that is 0,0000000).

Now, full two-way calendar sync -- on my list, not in 1.5, planned for 1.6, along with maybe push mail for EWS, if it works out.

As it stands now Aqua already lets you access server side contacts, including the Global Address List (GAL) with search -- btw, this is something CloudMagic doesn't do -- and lets you accept invites and they'll get synced to the server, become available in web mail / Outlook, etc.

[james0tucson]

I just learned about Remote Wipe today.   I connected to an Exchange server using Aquamail.   Have I exposed my phone to Remote Wipe?   

[Kostya Vasilyev]

Nope.

Since I didn't have any reason to get Aqua approved by Microsoft as "Designed for Microsoft Exchange" -- there is no remote wipe feature in Exchange accounts (or non-Exchange accounts, for that matter).

[james0tucson]

Thanks Kostya.   Learning about this has given me an opportunity to renegotiate my contract!