Free Push Mail Alternative
I’ve posted on previous post that I’ve been using mobipush service for quite some time, and it worked quite reliably just until recently. I noticed I no longer getting new emails pushed to my windows mobile 6.1 device this past few days. I was previously thought the problem caused by some error in my provider’s GSM network, since I’ve experienced more than one week of total signal blackout on one out of two GSM provider available here on remote area in Indonesia. But when I tried to browse some sites using my PDA, it worked! So I assume the problem is from mobipush. Its time to looking out the alternatives.
I tried to delete my account then recreating it again, that trick usually worked, since I’ve experienced my PDA stopped syncing emails several times, especially after long period of inactivity due to GSM network problem. I searched on mobipush’s forums and it seems several users did experience this.
Therefore I tried to search for another push mail provider which supports Windows Mobile devices. Since I’ve tried mail2web’s service in the past, and don’t quite like it especially it does not support push mail from 3rd party mailboxes outside mail2web domain. So today I decided to try free service from SEVEN. Currently SEVEN supports several mobile plattform, from Windows Mobile 5/6, Symbian UIQ/S60, Sony Ericsson/Nokia J2ME, and Palm devices. Depends on the version you download, SEVEN supports fetching emails from regular IMAP/POP accounts, Exchange and Lotus Domino.
I did not try SEVEN in the past because it needs additional software installed on my PDA to enable email push. I really prefer WM’s built in Outlook mobile compared installing additional email client. But since Outlook mobile only supports push mail for Exchange Mail servers, I don’t have much options. It’s a shame that the built in client does not support IMAP idle.
After installing and configuring SEVEN application, I was surprised that it integrates nicely to built in Messages Application. In Messages Application, now I have additional folders for each email account(s) configured in SEVEN in built in Messages Application. So, it has same interfaces with Outlook Mobile. This is a plus, since mobipush consolidate all my email accounts on one folder. So far I don’t have any problems using it, the emails arrives within seconds.
Currently the service still free, but it does not guarantees the services will stay free.
And what about your battery?
Is it draining a lot or not?
My WM 6.1 Device is a Dopod 838Pro (HTC Hermes). Currently I charge the device every 2 days, with about 20-30 mails daily, push enabled from 6am to 11pm. Thats on 2.5G network though, as currently I don’t have 3G reception in my area. I suspect I need to charge it daily if connected to 3G/3.5G network.