Currently I’m using it on my HTC Touch Pro, and I must say finally Windows Mobile have quite decent facebook client. Previously I tried to use another program (I forgot the name though), and never quite like it, mainly due to its performance and lack of features compared to iphone’s/blackberry’s facebook client. This one, is quite similar to the iPhone’s facebook client. The ability to see the news feed, friends list, status updates, message inbox, upload and tag photos/videos, photo/video/profile comments, phonebook, etc all here.

Dopod 838Pro (TyTN) vs HTC Touch Pro (Raphael)

Another one just happens yesterday, when my colleagues just got back from home leave in Jakarta. He just got HTC Touch Pro, which basically one of my most wanted phone  currently, apart from Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X1 and Blackberry’s Bold. He asks me to configure emails, install applications on the PDA, etc which gives chances to me to explore the device.

My few comments so far, nice shape and form, looks much slimmer and sleeker than my current PDA, a Dopod 838Pro aka HTC TyTN. The VGA (640×480) screen is so beautiful! The keyboard, finally they got dedicated number buttons on top, similar to the full size keyboard layout. Although the keys are little smaller, but still comfortable to use. The performance, noticeably faster, thanks to faster processor and larger RAM. Touch Pro has built in GPS too, and I was amazed how quick it was to get a lock/fix.

TyTN vs Raphael (opened)

The big question is, should I upgrade? Since I installed Windows Mobile 6.1 on my TyTN, the interface is quite similar, from software point of view, maybe the difference only on TouchFlo 3D because TyTN does not have the 3d hardware to support it. From hardware, it improved from almost everything, QVGA vs VGA screen (love it!), 7.2 mbps vs 3.6 mbps hsdpa, 400mhz vs 528mhz cpu, 3D hardware, GPS, accelerometer, etc.

For Blackberry users, can you elaborate why I should get Bold than Touch Pro or Xperia X1? Most people has converted to Blackberry or wanted one, from who really use his/her BB to its original intended use (work), as gadget addicts/hobbyists who use it to fullest potential, to who just bought it just to really following the trends.

As for iPhone, I really don’t have any desire to get one. Sure it looks good, but lack of physical qwerty keyboard is a big minus for me. I have the iPod touch, which has same interface as the iPhone. First few days of use I was really impressed, with its multitouch, beautiful interface, cool factor, etc. But after a while I got bored,even after I jailbreak the iPod and install hundreds of useless applications on the iPod. I tried to type an emails with it, it was really a painful experience. Now I’m barely use the iPod, and only use it if I’m traveling on the plane.

]]> http://tesna.net/2009/01/21/upgrading-touch-pro-xperia-x1-bold/feed 0 http://tesna.net/2009/01/14/free-push-mail-alternatives http://tesna.net/2009/01/14/free-push-mail-alternatives#comments Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:00:21 +0000 Tesna Rafinari http://tesna.net/?p=192 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.

When I found mobipush.com this is quite a good candidate to solve my problem, as they offers retrieving emails from all imap/pop email accounts and push it to your windows mobile device using Microsoft Direct Push technology. Here’s the features offered:

Features & Benefits

• Push eMail for IMAP and POP3 (Including Gmail, Yahoo!, AOL, Exchange…)
• Compatible with all DirectPush devices, including Windows Mobile SmartPhone and PocketPC
• No software or Hardware installation required
• Use your existing eMail account
• Synchronize Read/Unread Status and eMail deletions
• Secure communication using SSL encryption
• Synchronize up to 5 personal and/or business eMail Accounts
• Remote device wipe in case your device is lost or stolen

The good thing is, when you replied an email, the email will appears from original to: email address from sender, not from the default email account, which is not offered by mail2web.com. The only negative I found is only lack of syncing contacts, appointments, calendar events etc compared to syncing with real exchange server. But hey, currently I only need it to sync emails.

If you configure the push mail to access IMAP email accounts supporting IMAP idle commands, your email(s) will almost instantly delivered to your mobile device. But if it does not suport IMAP idle or only support POP access, is not as instant as it’s a pull email. Usually it checks for new emails every 5 to 10 minutes for POP emails.