Vodafone, Microsoft partner for mobile email

Vodafone Australia would deliver Windows Mobile Email via its mobile phone network following a new partnership with Microsoft.

The solution is based on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 and incorporates the Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP), which includes Direct Push Technology.

Mark Iles, general manager business markets at Vodafone Australia, said “in our experience and those of our customers on BlackBerry from Vodafone is proof that mobile email is the next ‘killer app’.”

Windows Mobile Email from Vodafone was available for three devices - the 3G - enabled i-mate JASJAR and the i-mate SP5 and i-mate KJam devices.

In April, Vodafone would introduce the i-mate JAMin and bring two HP devices into the range – the first of which will be the HP iPAQ 6965 Pocket PC, while the second was still under wraps.

Vodafone would also bring other well-known handset brands into its Windows Mobile Email product portfolio later in the year.

Iles said Windows Mobile Email from Vodafone easily integrates with customers’ Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 software.

The service uses direct push email technology in a Microsoft Office format.

Emails and tasks are synchronised directly from Outlook, and Microsoft Office Excel Mobile and Word Mobile allows attachments to be viewed, edited and e-mailed using Pocket PC devices, such as the i-mate JASJAR, i-mate KJam and i-mate JAMin, within Vodafone coverage areas.

It requires Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 and an Exchange 2003 Server running Service Pack 2.

The i-mate Pocket PC devices (i-mate JASJAR, i-mate KJAM and i-mate JAMin) additionally feature Word, Excel Microsoft Powerpoint Mobile and ClearVue PDF viewers.