android 2.0 issue: ActiveSync security support

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Hi,
There is a registered "issue" at the google code pages for Android regarding ActiveSync (the protocol used by Exchange towards mobile devices) and the fact that the native "Exchange support" in Eclair/2.0 isn't supporting security policies. Please vote (star as it is called - you don't have to leave a comment) on the issue to encourage google to implement the full support needed.

http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=4475

The funny thing about this is that Android seems to be the only platform out there with native Exchange support that doesn't support the security bit of ActiveSync. You can (sort of) compare it to a browser supporting http but not supporting https. The iPhone, the Nokias and SEs with Exch support, Windows Mobile, Palm webOS, Samsungs noname OS etc. all have it, but not Android .

Again, please go over there and put in a star if you think this should be correctly implemented by Google first time around.

Thanks!

Think I did read that only the iphone 3G s has the security thing and not the earlier models. but yeah, vote to get it done!

Hm. I don't have iPhone original, 3g or 3gs, but I do know some people in my company who uses the 3g. Haven't been paying attention to if Apple is updating the older ones or not, but at least the 3g has the exchange pin/password support.

Anyway, thanks for the 21 stars already on the issue. Spread the word - there will never be to many stars .

Originally Posted by barryallott

Think I did read that only the iphone 3G s has the security thing and not the earlier models. but yeah, vote to get it done!

That would be because the first-gen iPhone didn't have Exchange Activesync support at all!!

Originally Posted by Helbore

That would be because the first-gen iPhone didn't have Exchange Activesync support at all!!

yes it did, I had one and after software 2.0 it supported it fine, push emails, calendar and contacts (I used it)

Originally Posted by chriscpritchard

yes it did, I had one and after software 2.0 it supported it fine, push emails, calendar and contacts (I used it)

I guess I don't consider the first-gen hardware with second-gen software truly "first-gen" anymore!

That's what I meant by my comment. iPhone 1.0 (as it initially came out) didn't support Exchange Activesync at all. As per the comment I was replying to (that the 3G had PIN support but the earlier models didn't) my point makes sense - ie. if the 3G has a software update to support the security features, so can the earlier model iPhones, if they get said update.

But the earlier gen iPhone SOFTWARE had no support for Exchange. It was the primary reason I passed on an iPhone when they first came out.

But as for the OPs point, it does seem rather ridiculous that Android isn't going to support Exchange security policies. Just like the iPhone's initial lack of Exchange support, the lack of this ability will seriously limit Android's market penetration into the business sector. IT department's aren't going to want to turn off their PIN enforcement policies, just becuae the employees want to buy Android phones. Bad choice on Google's part.

Originally Posted by Helbore

I guess I don't consider the first-gen hardware with second-gen software truly "first-gen" anymore!

That's what I meant by my comment. iPhone 1.0 (as it initially came out) didn't support Exchange Activesync at all. As per the comment I was replying to (that the 3G had PIN support but the earlier models didn't) my point makes sense - ie. if the 3G has a software update to support the security features, so can the earlier model iPhones, if they get said update.

But the earlier gen iPhone SOFTWARE had no support for Exchange. It was the primary reason I passed on an iPhone when they first came out.

But as for the OPs point, it does seem rather ridiculous that Android isn't going to support Exchange security policies. Just like the iPhone's initial lack of Exchange support, the lack of this ability will seriously limit Android's market penetration into the business sector. IT department's aren't going to want to turn off their PIN enforcement policies, just becuae the employees want to buy Android phones. Bad choice on Google's part.

Actually, it originally "supported" the security policies by claiming that it did, then not actually supporting them, then the software update came out which enabled full support on the 3GS and disabled support on 2G and 3G

edit: I got my college to add a seperate security policy for my android phone, but that's probably because I'm on good terms with the IT staff

Originally Posted by Helbore

IT department's aren't going to want to turn off their PIN enforcement policies, just becuae the employees want to buy Android phones. Bad choice on Google's part.

Absolutely true. I asked our global department (in charge of the exchange servers), and got a big fat no. I was definitely expecting a no, but had to try . Gaping security hole and all that.

Anyway, this was an Android thread, not an iPhone comparison thread. We can conclude with that Apple learned its lesson after some time, and Google apparently didn't pay attention in class. Lets hope they just fix it.

Issue is at 70 stars currently. Thanks a bunch!