Activesync for Iphone? How does it work?

[Phokus]

I don't have an iphone, but i'm considering getting one now that Activesync is coming to the Iphone.

Does it sync with all outlook functions (calendar, tasks, contacts)? Can i just hook it up via USB to sync? Or does it only connect to exchange via internet to syncronize?

I need those three to really do stuff (I don't need to sync email).

 

[aphex]

Someone correct me (as I'm not entirely sure), but I believe the upcoming Activesync is only provided for sync with an exchange server (as you noted).

However, most of the functions you seek are currently implemented via iTunes from what I recall (albeit it requires a physical sync, not over the air)

When I set up an iPhone on my boss's PC, I recall seeing the option within iTunes to sync the Calendar and Contacts with Outlook (no support for Tasks as of yet though)

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: aphex
Someone correct me (as I'm not entirely sure), but I believe the upcoming Activesync is only provided for sync with an exchange server (as you noted).

However, most of the functions you seek are currently implemented via iTunes from what I recall (albeit it requires a physical sync, not over the air)

When I set up an iPhone on my boss's PC, I recall seeing the option within iTunes to sync the Calendar and Contacts with Outlook (no support for Tasks as of yet though)

Ahhh, ok, i did not know that... sucks that it doesn't sync tasks... how well does syncing work? I Just found out about itunes syncing w/ outlook and it seems like there are lots of problems. BUt those were from old forum posts, did it get fixed?

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Phokus

Originally posted by: aphex
Someone correct me (as I'm not entirely sure), but I believe the upcoming Activesync is only provided for sync with an exchange server (as you noted).

However, most of the functions you seek are currently implemented via iTunes from what I recall (albeit it requires a physical sync, not over the air)

When I set up an iPhone on my boss's PC, I recall seeing the option within iTunes to sync the Calendar and Contacts with Outlook (no support for Tasks as of yet though)

Ahhh, ok, i did not know that... sucks that it doesn't sync tasks... how well does syncing work? I Just found out about itunes syncing w/ outlook and it seems like there are lots of problems. BUt those were from old forum posts, did it get fixed?

My boss got her iPhone around December or so and she said its been working great for her with Outlook.

I always keep her software and firmware up to date though, no problems that she's expressed to me.

 

[bearxor]

Originally posted by: Phokus
I don't have an iphone, but i'm considering getting one now that Activesync is coming to the Iphone.

Does it sync with all outlook functions (calendar, tasks, contacts)? Can i just hook it up via USB to sync? Or does it only connect to exchange via internet to syncronize?

I need those three to really do stuff (I don't need to sync email).

Let me clarify for you. Apple did not license ActiveSync. They licensed Exchange ActiveSync. Believe it or not, it is two separate things at Microsoft. Activesync is handled by the WinMo team and EAS is handled by the Exchange team. That's one thing about Microsoft a lot of people don't realize. Like when the XBox 360 was updated to stream DiVx, but the MCX on the 360 would not do it. The 360 dashboard is done by the XBox team but the MCX software is done by the ehome team.

Anyways, Task syncing from an Exchange server IS a feature of EAS. It's worked fine on my last two WinMo phones.

I guess it's really up to Apple... I've not heard one way or the other officially that Tasks are not an option to sync. Does the iPhone have a built-in Task app? If so, I'd say it's probably likely that Task syncing would be possible.

You just need to sign up for a hosted exchange account to sync your contacts, calendar and tasks to it and then it will sync to your iPhone. mail2web offers a 1GB account for free...