N900 in business environment
 

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Good questions, as I'm also considering this for business. You might also want to check thread http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=31309

Can someone merge these threads?

Re: N900 in business environment
 

if you want great outlook integration, i think your best bet would be to stay with windows mobile. windows mobile 6.5 is coming out soon...all the samsung omnia's as well as the new bigass htc phone will be getting wm6.5 which hopefully will be much better than wm 6.1.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

It's using Modest.

http://modest.garage.maemo.org/

Or, grep for "modest maemo" on youtube.

Compared to Modest on Diablo, it has gone through a complete UI overhaul, and of course received tons of non-ui-related backend improvements. Those are not secret either, you can view the git logs since the fremantle version has already been open sourced.

Definitely. It also has an open plugin system that allows adding your own account providers if you feel like coding one ;-).

Re: N900 in business environment
 

The Ovi Suite should, I think, provide this functionality once it adds support for n900. Still, I'd wait until the thing is out to make sure...

Of course, If you hated the previous PC suite, I don't think this is going to be much better experience

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Well, I don't think its a good idea to suggest WinMo to this gentleman since he already expressed his disdain for it. Since this IS a Maemo forum, I suggest you go ahead with the N900, but rely on your old WinMo device for corporate email and syncing until the community creates a solution. Since those are common tasks for most IT heads and geeks, I expect a solution to be forthcoming pretty quickly.

If you get a new WinMo device, you'll be stuck with it for the 18-24 months until the next upgrade. Instead, just get the N900 and have faith in the community. You aren't the only one wanting those features, and this community is designed to fulfill the needs of the OS and its users. From what I've seen, it works pretty well.

I look forward to great syncing apps for the N900 very soon.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

@christ: what an interesting advice coming from someone who hasn't used any maemo devices :)

imho, it would be best for someone to buy the device when they can be 100% sure that the features and functionalities they expect are already implemented on the device well.

there's no point to tell them to get on board maemo\n900 by promising them the world, only to disappoint them in the future if it's not fulfilled (are you personally in the position to help them fulfill it?).

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Maybe in the recent weeks he has found tremendous faith in the Maemo communities ability to deliver world class solutions. Anyway I believe the Nokia N900 supports PIM synchronization via PC-Suite that should help with business users until the community creates new solutions, ports existing solutions etc.

Normally I would say that if there is a big demand, then capitalism will take over and someone will want to create a better solution to sell. Somehow I think the more acceptable description for this forum is that someone will find issue with the existing functionality in their own work and will build a better solution to fix the issues they are facing, once done they will share it with the world.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

I haven't seen anything on the Exchange Active Sync support to fully understand what it's bringing to the table. If it's a port of the S60 Mail for Exchange app then I hope that it's the new client with improved integration. They finally bring subfolder support to Mail for Exchange with an improved interface. If it's a port of the S60v5 app then it's going to leave something to be desired. Lack of subfolder support at this point is pretty unacceptable. And there may be those that think that since it isn't targeted for the corporate market that this is okay... It's not. If you're going to advertise a feature, do it correctly.

As to PC Suite sync, you are correct about the field differentials between Nokia devices and Outlook. I've lost all kinds of numbers because of field differentials. They've improved it a bit but the real rule of thumb that I've followed to stay safe is to ALWAYS enter your contact information into Outlook and sync it to the device and not the other way around. This helps to maintain your data and prevent loss.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

@chris Are you kidding........



The worst thing you can do as a fan boy is to tell someone to go drop a huge chunk of change on something that currently doesn't work they way they want and then have them disappointed!!!!!

One guy walking around saying 'I bought this piece of **** and it doesn't do this or that' is far greater loss than can be replaced my many people being positive.

I usually trust advice more from people that are willing to look at other options rather than blindly keep propping something that they think is right.

@handrea, @pelago

If outlook support is the big stumbling block I would sit back and watch a little while. People may be able to port this type functionality but I don't think its going to be high on the list.

Epi

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Given that Nokia is advertising support for Exchange Active Sync that tells me that Outlooks sync should be available out of the box for cabled or BT sync as well. But honestly it's a wait and see game. I'd love to be able to trial a device to see how well it works in an Active Sync environment to support my corporate account. Highly recommended to wait and see for messaging previews.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Since IT heads and geeks with at least a working neuron avoid exchange (and any other ms server for that matter) like the plague, they won't be the ones providing the solution.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

I said to rely on his previous Exchange solution until one comes out. He said he was interested in the N900, and I do suggest he buy one, but its just my suggestion. I, too, have heard alot of requests for Exchange support, so I expect it, in this situation, and am fairly confident in Nokia, especially having used many of their Eseries devices. Its just an opinion, but if Nokia wants to sell many of them, they'll get an Exchange solution. Since Nokia and Microsoft are seemingly in bed on alot of stuff lately, I'm not reaching as far as it may seem.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

AFAIK, that is for Symbian only, not Maemo.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

I have taken a stance that when I see it running or someone trustworthy with a device says that it works then it works. Speculating and suggesting that someone buy a device that they may hate and not use, then possibly talk bad about to all of their corporate friends is bad form IMHO.

A week ago there was a little discussion between myself and GA about usbotg and the ability for the n900 to use external devices. now Quim writes that it is a hardware limit and that the n900 does not support usb host mode.
http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p...&postcount=339

Lets stop suggesting people go and buy with limited information or supposition.

I think we all want the device to be a hit but up selling suspected features that are not known to be present is very detrimental

Epi

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Re: N900 in business environment
 

My real problem was not the program itself, I could use even an ugly software or not fully confortable.
The real important matter is data integrity: we buy expensive device with super maxi features.. ..and we're not able to keep our data.. From my perspective sometimes I feel like we miss the basis :D focusing on extras..

Re: N900 in business environment
 

You're right Gorgon. Infact one think is scaring me is that this device belongs to the N-series and not to the E-one (if I understood, Nokia usese E for business devices). So I'm wondering if I'll do the best waiting for an E-class N900 like device but I don't know if is there any planning.
In general do you think that buy and use an N-series device in business environment could be a mistake?

Yes! I must say that the only think my WindowsMobile is able to do is the contacts device-to-outlook sync. I know that the best (safe) solutions is the one way syncronization (outlook>device) but in my busy life the reversed sync is really preciuos.. If I'm away from office, if I add/update a contact I've got all the data sync. :)

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Yes you're right but, even after products release, I usually have difficulties to understand this aspect: all the review (the main part..) focuses on WOW features rather than device behaviour / compatibility / issues in everyday work and real scenario.
I always see something like "Cool! Tapping here you can compose an email..." but suddently I think "Ok, nice, but guys, is there anyone is really using that program?"
I mean: use a program is different to be a guest/visitor of it :D:D.
P.S. If you want I can write for you a deep review related to Windows Mobile and HTC in real world :D

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Ummm... Question!

http://maemo.nokia.com and click email at the very bottom and it CLEARLY states "exchange for mail" pushing mail, contacts and calendar to your phone... Isn't this what everyone is waiting for? :S ....

Or are you all talking about syncing software for your PC/MAC/UNIX-LINUX system?

As long as I can sync to Google, I'm set. :)

Re: N900 in business environment
 

mail for exchange is listed in the official specifications and should take care of synchronisation with an exchange environment.
this software is avaliable for s60 for quite some time now, and it works great, i use it constantly.
so no need for active sync or pc suite.

i didn't really miss subfolder support, because when i'm going somewhere only the most recent messages are of interest anyways.
but since the n900 is marketed as an always-on mobile computer maybe they improved mail for exchange as well.

the version of modest for earlier tablets did support multiple folders, so i think it's not too far fetched to assume the maemo5 version will do so too ;)

EDIT:
one thing to keep in mind is of course the fact that you need a properly set up server to be able to sync with. a working outlook client alone is not a viable sync target for mail for exchange.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

The only difference between Nseries and Eseries has been build quality, battery life, and included apps. The Eseries devices have Mfe and multiple desktops and settings for work and personal usage, but usually lack in the multimedia space. The Nseries have several models that also ship with the various business apps, and have the better cameras and media features.

I find that I prefer to go with the Nseries and install the missing business apps for a well rounded business device, but you may want to save money and go with the more sturdily built device.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Re: N900 in business environment
 

to me it appears that the differentiation between the n-series and e-series do not apply to the same extent in maemo/n900, if at all.

the e900 mockup pictured here looks interesting, but i still don't see the point in separate n- and e-series for the maemo platform.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

considering the fact that maemo is debian-based, i would just love to see tighter integration btwn my soon-in-my-hands-n900 and a debian desktop such as ubuntu.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Re: N900 in business environment
 

See this thread here.
the n900 supports SyncML over USB and Bluetooth. SyncML is an open specification, so we will most likely see synchronisation tools for linux (like syncevolution)

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Let me expand on this as someone who has used an N95 and an E71 to support my corporate Exchange account. There is a huge difference in messaging approaches between the N-series device and the E-series device. What christexaport says is somewhat true that the E-series tend to have better build quality while the N-series will have more of a multimedia focus with better camera. However the home screen setup is so much better with E-series, showing quick snapshots of email accounts, calendar and notes. This provides a quick, easy way to get to email inboxes or preview what message has come in by highlighting the box. They typically have dedicated keys to get to contacts, calendar and your email. E-series is designed to be a messaging device first and this difference is so frustrating when going back to the N95 and I feel my productivity take a hit. You can install Mail for Exchange on the N95 but the implementation is not even close to what it is on an E-series device.

E-series will come with a full version of Quickoffice to allow you to edit documents where N-series comes with a read only version.

Now, the N900 isn't Symbian so it's not coming with Quickoffice but I thought I saw it came with a Docs to Go install? Also, hopefully you can add an email widget to your screen to enable you to see what's hit your inbox. How will they do subfolders? If they do subfolders... Don't believe everyone when they say Mail for Exchange is "awesome", it's not but it gets the job done. I have high hopes for the implementation in Maemo but I will reserve judgment for when the device starts shipping and I see reviews.

The problem with waiting for reviews is that few people actually use these devices in a corporate environment so you will hardly ever see a review based on that. I searched forever to find a review of the new messaging on the E75 and it came down to me actually requesting a trial device from WOM World so that I could actually see it for myself. So I wrote my own review. Maybe I'll be able to get my hands on a trial N900 as well but we'll see. Wait and see and ask questions when the device starts dropping.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Gorgon, you sound like you speak from a 3rd Edition experience, but the homescreen in 5th Edition Nseries devices is on steroids! Way better than any 3rd Edition N or Eseries. But I agree with everything you said. Nseries is all about the camera, games and audio, and Eseries is about corporate email, document handling, and keeping the work and home usage separate via Mode, a desktop profiler.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

That I do, all S60 3rd. I realize that the N97 brings an email inbox to the home screen but from my understanding it's only one box and so far no subfolders unless you go third party. I'd love to play with an N97 for a few weeks to get a feel for it but all the people that I know what went N97 from E71 admit the lack of messaging focus in the N97.

Really can't wait to see what the N900 and Maemo in general brings to the table.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Please see the original blog post by the community member that created the image (and the comments in reply to that post).

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Hi everybody,
is there any news about these considerations now that the first N900 was shipped? Anyone tested these features / aspetcts?

thank you
handrea

Re: N900 in business environment
 

At my work, we use a free hosted Exchange 2010 server from Microsoft for educational institutions. I've found that after figuring out which server autodiscover threw me into, I've added that server into my phone through Mail for Exchange, and it synced at least some of my email (the default behavior is to only keep three days worth of email at a time in your phone, you can increase this to include all messages if you so wish) and it synced my calendar. It didn't sync my contacts, but only because that's the default behavior; you can have your phone pull down all of your contacts by changing the contact sync settings in MfE, however.

I have NEVER used PC Suite to do anything with my phone. I've found that it's practically broken when it comes to doing anything with the N900 at this point, so I never use it.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

my school email is hosted on Exchange 2007 and i was able to configure the n900 to receive email, sync calendar and contacts with no problems.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

As long as your IT doesn't require provisioned devices (so they can force you to use certain security settings etc). This is a big dissapointement for me (though my decision is to live with it for now).

And considering how much discussion the same issue has raised conserning Android (we had our IT helpdesk to say that stay away from Android devices if you want to use MfE), I'm probably not the only one who would need this feature.

Re: N900 in business environment
 

Thank you for reply. Unfortunately our company works with open source mail system like Zimbra and Scalix so outlook 2 devices is requested :( and we cannot use the Exchange sync capability.

Anyone has tested the device with Outlook and direct usb cable connection?

Thank you
handrea