Implement IMAP IDLE Native function @ Pocket Outlook

[Kayser]

Hi

I'm currently running a mail server on a dedicated box (host @ datacenter 30€/month) under linux with courrier-imap. There is a way to implement IMAP IDLE function, that is almost the same than pushing emails.

I actualy tested it without FAM (File Alteration Monitor). Fam allow you to have a realtime email like blackberry. I don't need it, the basic IMAP_ENHANCEDIDLE do a check every minutes and update if there is a mail.

I tested this feature through telnet and it worked lovely.
Now, in order to be able to use this feature over your windows mobile, you have the choice between to softwares.
The first is vgsmail http://www.vgsmail.com/ppc/ (free trial)
This one will just enable the IMAP IDLE feature on your pocket outlook (seems to be the more elegant way to implement it)
The second is WIS Flexmail 2007 (search at google ) (free trial)
This one is a new client (i don't like to change my use personnaly)

The major problem of the both solutions is that you have to pay for it.
Does anyone can do a patch for pocket outlook to implement imap idle fonction on it ?

Regards.

Reference thread: Here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=1617646#post1617646)

[Knockz]

Check out Seven.

http://community.seven.com/forum/main.php

I'm currently using it too work with my google IMAP account and I get push email. It works amaizing.

I don't know if its what your looking for but give it a shot and see.

I currently use it on my WM6 Hermes device and even though it not supported its working perfectly for me.

[Kayser]

Check out Seven.

http://community.seven.com/forum/main.php

I'm currently using it too work with my google IMAP account and I get push email. It works amaizing.

I don't know if its what your looking for but give it a shot and see.

I currently use it on my WM6 Hermes device and even though it not supported its working perfectly for me.

Hi, thanks for your tips, btw i like to know something, is it a standalone program or a plugin for pocket outlook ?

Regards.

[Knockz]

Its an addon for pocket outlook that manages the account and the push functionality. It also does other types of accounts. It gave me push email for my work account and pop accounts.

You still read/reply and manage your emails using pocket outlook.

[Kayser]

Fantastic, gonna test it tomorrow !

Thanks buddy !

Edit

I tested this solution, sounds like a third party server is getting email from your server :/. It won't be a problem if this project didn't looks like another commercial push (visto like).
Actualy Seven is acting like a visto, sevens server try to fetch mail ~2mn and push it on they proprietary client, who is pushing the message @ pocket outlook.
It means that my mail is going through seven mail server and Seven has all access granted to my mailbox.
I'm just looking for a soft (without thrid party server checking) enabling the IMAP IDLE fonction.

[Kayser]

I tried to test them with imap idle

vgsmail has been renamed to EmansioPushMail, great, but it just crash my Hermes (Schap's 3.54 ROM). Tried an old cab called Vsgmail-Pushmail.cab (looks like an old beta). Result is the same (just with a different program name :()

flexmail is working with imap idle correctly, but it's eating up all my memory (92% busy). So my Hermes just finish to crash cause it don't get enough memory (GPRS+Flexmail+msn+Audio Player).

The both solution are non free ...

Is there a chance to get imap idle implemented on pocket outlook someday ?

A desesperate Linux's mail server admin.

[VOODOOS!L]

maybe it's a stupid question, but just to know:
within my Pocket Outlook GMail IMAP options, I have an option to check mail every 5 minutes.
ok I know, it's not really push, but what's the difference, I doesn't really mather if you get your mails within some seconds or within 5 minutes, or does it?

[KarhU]

There is really cool japanese freeware mail client named Qmail3 (http://q3.snak.org/en/) - It has IMAP4 - I do not know about IMAP IDLE but it is worth a try. Some people call that program "The Bat" for PPC because of tons of features it offers.

[VOODOOS!L]

WM6 also supports IMAP4 and HTML mails...i don't really see much benefit for another email application...the full device integration will never be as good as with Pocket Outlook, I think.

[Kayser]

maybe it's a stupid question, but just to know:
within my Pocket Outlook GMail IMAP options, I have an option to check mail every 5 minutes.
ok I know, it's not really push, but what's the difference, I doesn't really mather if you get your mails within some seconds or within 5 minutes, or does it?

Hi,

Actualy, the option that you are using is wasting a lot of bandwith.
Send/Receive procedure
1/ contact imap/pop server
2/ auth on it
3/ check message
This have an effective cost of bandwith (wich is limited to 10mo/month in my case)
It means that if you use this system you gonna waiste almost all bandwith just to check if there is some mails.

Imap Idle procedure
1/ contact/auth once
2/ enter idle mode
3/ server send a notification to the client entered in idle mode
This solution permit to don't waste bandwith and provide a real push solution (you have to install File Alteration Monitor on your mail server in order to get it) withouth FAM it works also but you can get a delay (less than 1mn).
This solution is the best cause you are not dependant of a third party who's all access on your mailbox (specialy for work purposes)
We don't want to set up any microsoft server or exchange servers (linux ftw).

[Kayser]

There is really cool japanese freeware mail client named Qmail3 (http://q3.snak.org/en/) - It has IMAP4 - I do not know about IMAP IDLE but it is worth a try. Some people call that program "The Bat" for PPC because of tons of features it offers.

I gave a try on it, it doesn't implement imap idle feature, thanks anyway

[Entropy512]

maybe it's a stupid question, but just to know:
within my Pocket Outlook GMail IMAP options, I have an option to check mail every 5 minutes.
ok I know, it's not really push, but what's the difference, I doesn't really mather if you get your mails within some seconds or within 5 minutes, or does it?

Depends on how often you get incoming mail.

If you only get one message per hour, but want to know within a few minutes of its arrival and set a 5-minute check interval, you're performing a LOT of extra full IMAP resyncs that are unnecessary, which will eat your battery.

There are also a number of other IMAP extensions usually implemented along with IDLE (known as the Lemonade Profile) that significantly reduce data transfers (and battery abuse), the basic IMAP support in Pocket Outlook does not implement these.

[VOODOOS!L]

Depends on how often you get incoming mail.

If you only get one message per hour, but want to know within a few minutes of its arrival and set a 5-minute check interval, you're performing a LOT of extra full IMAP resyncs that are unnecessary, which will eat your battery.

There are also a number of other IMAP extensions usually implemented along with IDLE (known as the Lemonade Profile) that significantly reduce data transfers (and battery abuse), the basic IMAP support in Pocket Outlook does not implement these.

ok, thx for the clarification!

if the IDLE and lemonade would work in Pocket Outlook, would we be able to get push email in combination with the new GMail IMAP support? would be nice and cheap I guess ;)

[Tranman79]

If you have unlimited text messages, use PushEffect - uses a text message to signal outlook to check email. Works great for me - http://www.qorefunctions.com/

[Kayser]

If you have unlimited text messages, use PushEffect - uses a text message to signal outlook to check email. Works great for me - http://www.qorefunctions.com/

Unfortunately, i don't have any free sms service :/

[Menneisyys]

WM6 also supports IMAP4 and HTML mails...i don't really see much benefit for another email application...the full device integration will never be as good as with Pocket Outlook, I think.

It doesn't support IMAP IDLE - see my related articles

[Menneisyys]

There is really cool japanese freeware mail client named Qmail3 (http://q3.snak.org/en/) - It has IMAP4 - I do not know about IMAP IDLE but it is worth a try. Some people call that program "The Bat" for PPC because of tons of features it offers.

no IDLE support either - again, make sure you ALL follow my articles - see http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=IMAP%20Bible

[Kayser]

no IDLE support either - again, make sure you ALL follow my articles - see http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=IMAP%20Bible

Hi, very interesting article !
Thanks for the link.
I'm actualy in contact with the developper off vgsmail, cause it's really unstable with windows mobile 6 (random freeze works partialy)

I'll back to you when i'll get more information.

[dew.man]

I'm actualy in contact with the developper off vgsmail, cause it's really unstable with windows mobile 6 (random freeze works partialy)

Anything new on this?

[rsolomon]

Anything new on this?

vgsmail is now Emansio:
http://www.emansio.com
and in my testing it still (version 20070916143800) seems unreliable and buggy on my Kaiser (WM6). Great idea, I wish the darn task manager icon could be removed, and I wish it worked properly. Price is high in USD with the current exchange rates, but I might be able to stomach the basic license if it worked....

Richard

[Kayser]

Hi,

It seems that the developement of emansio isn't getting fast.

I paste you the mail exchange i'd with them.
-------------------------------------------------
1st - 10/30/07
-------------------------------------------------
Hello,

The released version is the latest.

It would help us immensely if you could provide more information about where and how your phone crashes.

Best regards,

Customer Service

Kayser wrote:
> Hello
>
> I tried your software, it appears that it crash my Qtek 9600 (htc hermes)
>
> Windows mobile 6
>
> Is there a beta somewhere or a way to get it working properly ?
>
> Regards
> David

-----------------------------------------------------------
2nd - 10/31/07
-----------------------------------------------------------
Hi,

Pls try setting the software to only get mails from the last, say 30 days...and limit it to get headers only...this way you know that you are not killing your phone on memory usage.

You can then change the settings to receive entire messages if you wish.

Regards,

Customer Service

Kayser wrote:
> Hello
> No problem, i'll be happy to beta test it.
>
> First, i'm running schap's rom based on windows mobile 6.
>
> I installed the provided cab file then ran the Emansio Setup, all went good.
> After that, i had an icon on today's screen when i clicked on it, the menu came.
> Then i can see that i'm not online ...
> I pressed Restart connection then my phone froze
> It's randomly frozing when it connects to the mailbox (2000 mails) courrier imap (with imap idle enabled) without FAM (File Alteration Monitor)
> It happends only after being connected to imap box, sometimes the screen shut down, sometimes it freeze, only a soft reset can solve it
>
> I'll give a test with a brand new mailbox (0 mail)
> I'll do a test with an htc touch also based on windows mobile 6 but with an original ROM
>
> I'll be back to you when i'll got more information
>
> Best regards
-----------------------------------------------------------
3rd - 11/06/07
-----------------------------------------------------------
Hello,

Thank you!

Indeed we are grateful, and working hard to get the next version out with fixes.

Regards,

Customer Service

Kayser wrote:
> Hello
>
> After more tests, it happears that there is still some problems related to EmansioControl
> - HTC Home act very strangely, you can't enter to any application related to, it happends only when EmansioControl is started, without it, it works perfectly
> - When i scroll with the pad in today, when i press down, i'm on EmansioControl, color is green, i press up and down, it changes !! orange and after red
> - When i double tap on the small icon, sometimes i got it started, sometimes the color change ...
> - Hermes is acting like freezing often in "normal use"
> - It happends that i press power button, screen light on, then i press some keys like pad, and it shutdown. I have to press again power button to get the light back. It also happends only when EmansioControl is started.
>
> I hope that will help you to debug it on windows mobile 6.
>
> David.
-------------------------------------------------------------
4th - 11/09/07
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hello David,

Thank you for your additional report, we have added it to the case and will be trying to resolve it.

Regards,

Customer Service
-------------------------------------------------------------
5th - 11/27/07
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hello David,

These are our general plans:

1. We will inform VGS Mail users that we acquired the source code from VGS mail - and intend to develop it further.

2. In this process we will enable "feed back" from these experienced users about the worst problems and provide the free 12 month Standard license.

3. The feedback will be used to deliver an improved version in February next year.

4. Following that we intend to release a version per quarter

I hope this helps set your expectations - and we look forward to having you as a user.

Regards,

Customer Service
----------------------------------------------------------------

Could someone please give a try cause emansio projet (vgsmail) looks like frozen ...
This push feature is the only thing missing on windows mobile ...

[rsolomon]

Could someone please give a try cause emansio projet (vgsmail) looks like frozen ...
This push feature is the only thing missing on windows mobile ...

I have an e-mail out to them with my comments including the freezing/hanging - we'll see what kind of response I get. Be careful trying this as it seems to create a new messaging account but not clean it up on uninstall - luckily I used a test account so it was easy enough to go delete the database entries. (Until I did that, PhoneAlarm was reporting 6 unread messages I couldn't get to!)

Note also that the 7 day trial adds **TRIAL** to all the message subjects it fetches, so you probably DON'T want to try it out on your "main" or "real" e-mail account.

Definitely does not look ready for prime time :(

Also at $30-70 USD it's pretty steep compared to FlexMail (at $30).... When a whole mail program is $30, a fetch plugin for $66 is a tough sell to say the least!

Richard

[TangerineTractor]

Problem with FlexMail is that you have to see all your folders, and if you're conencted to a big exchange mailbox, they all expand...

I have activesync to my work exchange server, and have access to a second exchange server for my personal mail... shame you can't Activesync to both, but anyhow...

Both Flexmail and Emansio work fine - it's just down to whether you want to use the built in Outlook client, which IMHO is more than adequate,m or flexmail's, which is over-complicated.

Flexmail doesn't have a today plugin until version 4, which is in Beta but works fine - although the betas only last a couple of weeks...

However, to buy either costs money - $30 for Flexmail, double that for Emansio... I would think that it's hard to justify the spending on Emansio for the price...

[daverage]

Check out emoze.com
That does push email with various types of accounmts (gmail included)

Sevens beta is good, but is now out of the beta phase and costs money!! :eek:

Consilient Push is also a good one to look at (www.consilient.com)

[Knockz]

Sevens beta is good, but is now out of the beta phase and costs money!! :eek:


I don't think Seven is out of beta yet. I'm still working with it. I really like it. The only problem I have with it is the battery life of my device is killed.

I think this is because it strictly uses IP for new msg notification so your device needs to be connected all the time where other solutions seem to use an SMS notification to trigger the downloading of mail. This is what I'm hoping for so my device will last longer than 10 hrs with email enabled.

[PLESTIUC]

I'm using mail2web.com

I forward my gmail to my mail2web account which "pushses" it to my pocket outlook.

tested and I get my email ussually in the next 10 to 15 seconds after it was sent from the sender.

[daverage]

I don't think Seven is out of beta yet. I'm still working with it. I really like it. The only problem I have with it is the battery life of my device is killed.

THe beta still works, but I was informed that the beta was ending and the new service was available lol.

[StarMonkee]

I've tried out emoze and flexmail, and they both have a huge flaw for my use - that is that they can't keep connections active and stay synced with mailboxes when the device is suspended. Is there a way around this?

At the moment I'm using z-push (http://z-push.sourceforge.net/soswp/) which basically spoofs itself as an exchange server and it can run on linux or windows. I use it for my IMAP account and it seems to work pretty well as the device just sees it as an activesync connection.

[trjons]

I like vgsmail/emanasio.

I had two licenses from my old Hermes days and just started using it again for push email recently.

They haven't modified the program at all and sometimes when my Kaiser goes into sleep mode, so does the IMAP connection. Don't know why, but so far its the best thing I've found.

Flexmail just seems cumbersome to me. I'd much prefer a plugin.

[StarMonkee]

I've just tried the emansio trial, and it seems to work perfectly (I've only tried it for 10 minutes though).

I like the way it tells you exactly how much data has been sent, the status of the connection, and the connection/idle timer.

If only it was free, although I'm considering buying it (or if I was any good at windows mobile programming I'd write a quick app to remove the *TRIAL* in the subject of all emails :P)

[outphase]

I'm currently a beta tester for Flexmail. It's a lot better than the last stable build (1804). My connection is maintained even when the backlight is off. Selective IMAP folders is also nice too.

[StarMonkee]

I did like flexmail. Does it stay synced even when the device is in standby (not just backlight off)?

Another reason I stopped using it was the fact that it didn't integrate with HTC Home or S2U2's unread mail counts - has that been fixed in the latest builds?

[trjons]

Does Flexmail now work in the background?

I tried a trial version (version 3?) that had to open up in the foreground in order to download mail. That was really annoying and defeated the purpose of having PUSH email imho.

[StarMonkee]

I've just realised that emansio doesn't support html email, which is a bit of a pain :(

I think I'll give z-push another try.

[StarMonkee]

It also seems to slow my phone down a lot (even though it isn't using a lot of memory), and occasionally lock the phone up completely when a new mail arrives :(

[Soul_Est]

You could also try Emoze (www.emoze.com) or one of the Funambol solutions as such Memotoo (www.memotoo.com) or myFunambol (http://my.funambol.com/). I believe they'll work well in your situation.

[Magicality]

I found this thread through google search, and actually am in the exact same position as the Original poster. I did NOT like any of the solutions offered however.

I found that z-push will work best for me. Contrary to the solutions offered here, z-push installs on your server, not on your PPC. It's a "small" PHP-based engine that will emulate an Active Sync server. After it's set up correctly, just add the IP as active sync server on your PPC and you got pushmail working....

Of course, z-push makes use of the IMAP IDLE function....

[sansnil]

I found this thread through google search, and actually am in the exact same position as the Original poster. I did NOT like any of the solutions offered however.

I found that z-push will work best for me. Contrary to the solutions offered here, z-push installs on your server, not on your PPC. It's a "small" PHP-based engine that will emulate an Active Sync server. After it's set up correctly, just add the IP as active sync server on your PPC and you got pushmail working....

Of course, z-push makes use of the IMAP IDLE function....

Z-Push looked promising...only it doesn't support html.

So for now it looks like you either get non-idle html emails, or you get pushed plain text. Arg.

[daspost]

This thread might be of interest. It's an IMAP Idle app.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=404515

[leaskovski]

I found this thread through google search, and actually am in the exact same position as the Original poster. I did NOT like any of the solutions offered however.

I found that z-push will work best for me. Contrary to the solutions offered here, z-push installs on your server, not on your PPC. It's a "small" PHP-based engine that will emulate an Active Sync server. After it's set up correctly, just add the IP as active sync server on your PPC and you got pushmail working....

Of course, z-push makes use of the IMAP IDLE function....

It doesnt use IDLE by the way. It is just contantly polling your inbox looking for changes. IDLE works by going into IDLE mode and then pinging the server occasionally to send a heart beat so it knows you are still there, then when a message arrives the IDLE state is removed and the client then knows to refresh the message list.