Microsoft Exchange and Android

by: Adrian Gates

Android Platform is an open source software mobile device platform from the Open Handset Alliance. Companies have built various devices with an array of bells and whistles added to phones, netbooks and tablet PCs, all based on the Android Platform. The market place for the Android apps is ever expanding, becoming more comprehensive. What else mobile devices running on Android OS platform can be configured hassle-free to sync well with Microsoft Exchange Server. Thus, helping the users to be always connected with their Outlook mails, notes, calendar, tasks, etc. even when they are on the move. Businesses can accommodate Google Android phones as well as BlackBerry, Palm, Windows Mobile and iPhone devices with hosted Exchange.

To Use an Android Mobile Device with Hosted Exchange, follow the below steps:

• From the Home screen, tap the gray Application button.

• Tap Email.

• Tap Next.

• Using the keyboard, enter:

• Email Address

• Your full email address

• Password

• Your email password

• Tap Next.

• Tap Exchange account.

• Complete the following fields, and then click Next.

• DomainUsername

• Your full email address preceded by a backslash

(For example, jane@coolexample.com. Please note that some phones do not require the backslash.)

• TIP: If your phone uses the HTC Sense user interface for Android, Domain and Username are two separate fields. The Domain field should be empty. Enter your full email address in the Username field.

• Password

• Your email password

• Exchange Server

• webmail.apps4rent.com

• Use secure connection SSL

• Select this option

• Accept all SSL certificates

• Select this option

• Select your desired Account options, and then tap Next.

• Select your desired settings on Set up email, and then tap Done.

Android Platform Releases

Version 1.5 was the first major release to the Android Platform. This consisted of correcting many significant bugs reported by users including email, Bluetooth and multi-media. Version 2.0 brought with it several Google Android API for users to take advantage of, such as account management, sync adapter and Bluetooth. The email support was enhanced to allow for unified management of multiple Google email accounts, Microsoft Exchange and even Facebook. Version 2.2 brought with it the world's fastest browser as well as an enhanced Android Market Place and flash support for Google Android. Internet connection by hot spot and/or tethering was also improved.

All in all, with Google Android and Microsoft Exchange Server hosting from an application service provider, companies can confidently add the Android Platform to their employee communications options.