Eris, ActiveSync Exchange + Zimbra not working

[levon]

Has anyone else run into this? I have set up ActiveSync to sync with our work mail (Zimbra) and I can sync contacts/calendar. I can also *receive* e-mail, but I *can't* send e-mail, it all accumulates in a folder named 'Out'.

Exactly as described in this bug report below, which indicates that this won't be fixed?




Description:             Opened: 2009-09-19 08:17

The HTC Hero comes with Activesync which works well with Zimbra, except that
sending emails fails. Composed emails just gets stuck in the "Out" folder on
the phone.

http://bugzilla.zimbra.com/show_bug.cgi?id=41145




If so, it looks like I will definitely return the Eris, as much as I like its design and wait for another Verizon phone (other than the Droid) to come out that doesn't have this problem

[bkfist]

You have two options, after looking at the threat on Zimbra's site.

1.  Return and wait for Android 2.X to be released for the Eris, if you like the Eris form factor.

2.  Try some of the other Exchange server mail clients available to see if they exhibit the same behavior.  You might also want to get on HTC's support forums and make sure *they* are aware of the issue also...  (yes, I know, all the exchange apps in the Market are paid apps - but it's an option if you otherwise like the phone.  On the other hand if you are trying to convince yourself of a reason to return the phone, go ahead, I wouldn't blame you.

Obviously HTC can not test their exchange client against every "Microsoft Exchange work-alike" out there.. (Postpath, Zimbra, OpenExchange, Kolab, etc.  and those are just off the top of my head - there are probably more by now...), and if it is something as simple as changing the text encoding string that the client reports to the Zimbra server, I'm sure HTC can get a fix for it quite easily, but only if they know of the problem.

Zimbra, being Linux based, is going to be a lot more strict when it comes to issues like data structures, and text encoding, than any product from Microsoft.  This has it's advantages and dis-advantages.  Obliviously the dis-advantage is the improperly formatted strings from the HTC client won't allow it to work with the Zimbra server, on the other hand, Zimbra's adherence to standards provides a more robust and secure environment by not allowing sloppy/bloated code to slip through.

[levon]

From my reading this seems to be a software issue with HTC's e-mail client (is that what you got too?) - so there's really no assurance that moving to Android v 2.x will fix the HTC software. (Similar, but not nearly as critical issue with other HTC software like their calendar or the missing timestamp info).

As for the Exchange server info I'll have to digest this a bit more, this is my first experience using this protocol (I've got some experience with IMAP and POP3). If I can't get this to work, the phone is really much much less useful to me. I'm hoping that HTC will fix this, their hardware design is very nice.

Thanks for the post.

[bkfist]

Yes, the exchange support on the Eris is supplied by HTC (I was thinking I read somewhere a long time ago that particular app was actually purchased or licensed from another company) but since the exchange support is actuall built-into the Android 2.0 it would be kind of odd if HTC kept developing their own client for exchange, and would be insane if they actually *removed* the default Android 2.0 client...  They might still continue to develop or include their own exchange support, but it would seem insane to me that they would *remove* the built-in Android supplied code from their build.  (Although I know stranger things have certainly happened in the Universe!)

[levon]

Hi, ok just to clarify, Android  v1.5 does not include exchange support, hence HTC's implementation. But v 2.x  does, so it would seem to make sense that HTC would rely on the standard OS for this service rather than supplying (and having to develop/maintain) their own version, correct?

[lildaydreamer01]

You can link the zimbra to your gmail and set it that all e-mail comes and goes with the zimbra email address. Try it that way, its an easy back door.

[levon]

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lildaydreamer01 wrote:

You can link the zimbra to your gmail and set it that all e-mail comes and goes with the zimbra email address. Try it that way, its an easy back door.

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hi, thanks for the suggestion, do you mean forwarding the mail?

I'd really like to keep work and personal mail separate if possible, and also wouldn't mail that I then sent to work have my gmail address attached (I think there may be a way around it though).

[lildaydreamer01]

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levon wrote:

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lildaydreamer01 wrote:

You can link the zimbra to your gmail and set it that all e-mail comes and goes with the zimbra email address. Try it that way, its an easy back door.

---

hi, thanks for the suggestion, do you mean forwarding the mail?

I'd really like to keep work and personal mail separate if possible, and also wouldn't mail that I then sent to work have my gmail address attached (I think there may be a way around it though).

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if you go into your gmail settings and go to accounts and import, you can import all your information from zimbra to gmail. You can also set it so that your e-mail sends out as your zimbra email address. i cant however figure out how to get it to mark things as read on my zimbra account or save things to my sent box on my zimbra account. I'm still fiddling with it. I just kinda make things up as i go along sometimes... haha; best way to learn in my opinion.

All your options are under accounts and import. Its the only way i got Zimbra to work. your eris will then separate your box if you want into your zimbra name and your regular account if you set it to do so. cant look up how i did that because my phone has died (gr to short life span on battery). Otherwise AOL mail and such works fine with the e-mail client. havent been able to get yahoo to work yet but im thinking its because i dont have the upgraded yahoo account. This seems to be the best way to put Zimbra on the Eris though.

[levon]

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lildaydreamer01 wrote:

if you go into your gmail settings and go to accounts and import ....

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Hi again, thanks for the additional information.

I am also just starting to look more seriously at GMail. I've had an account for a while, but used Yahoo as my main mail account. However, GMail integrates so nicley with Android that I am now making the switch (though somewhat reluctantly due to privacy concerns with Google being able to aggregate  too much personal information). As Yahoo does not provide official IMAP access (I've got it semi-working with 3G but not WiFi), even to Yahoo Plus members, I see no other option. If Yahoo integrated seamlessly with Android, I'd probably stick with it.

I hope better batteries come out for the Eris or that the v 2.x upgrade helps improve the battery life. I don't want to nurse my battery and always be preoccupied with it running out of juice.