Hawkmail Calendar and Email From Anywhere
Wireless Handheld Devices: PDAs - Personal Digital Assistants and Smart Phones
If you want to access to access your calendar and email from anywhere, there are handheld mobile devices that make that possible. For people with a Hawkmail account, devices that use ActiveSync provide a simple, easy, and reliable setup for synchronizing email and calendar. The following document will discuss wireless handheld devices (Personal Digital Assistants and Smart Phones) that support ActiveSync and the support options for those devices.
If you are not using Hawkmail for your email please contact our help desk (its-helpdesk@uiowa.edu (319) 384-Help (4357)) for additional options.
Why ActiveSync?
ActiveSync on your PDA phone (Smart Phone) allows you to directly download your email and calendar from the Hawkmail server without going through your desktop computer. ActiveSync synchronizes directly with the Hawkmail server, not your desktop software (Palm Desktop or Microsoft Outlook).
ActiveSync on Hawkmail allows you to access your Hawkmail email and calendar from virtually anywhere using:
1. a PDA phone (Smart Phone) and cell phone carrier (see diagram below) or
2. the UI Wireless Network.
Advantages of ActiveSync include:
* ease of setup and administration.
* attachments live on the Hawkmail server. If attachments are forwarded they do not have to be 1st downloaded to the device - this saves time.
* meeting acceptances etc. are updated on the Hawkmail server immediately.
* sent messages appear in your Hawkmail Sent Items folder.
* deleted messages appear in your Hawkmail Deleted Items folder.
This document discusses the PDA Phone (Smart Phone) options. Click here for information about Synchronizing with the Hawkmail Server using the UI Wireless Network.
ActiveSync architecture
Getting Started
To get started using a PDA phone (Smart Phone) you must:
1. Understand the support model discussed below.
2. Select a phone.
3. Select a cellular phone carrier.
4. Setup ActiveSync on your new phone.
You might also consider:
* Joining the U of Iowa Handheld listserv discussion group.
1. Support Model
We have found that the best support for these devices is your local IT person - they know your needs and become very familiar with your device and services. We recommend that your IT support person be involved with any purchase - that they get and carry the same device as you so they can provide front end trouble shooting and setup. This model has already been established in several departments and academic units and is working well.
If you have questions about calendar and email on wireless handheld devices contact the ITS Help Desk (its-helpdesk@uiowa.edu (319) 384-Help (4357)).
2. PDA phones (Smart Phones)
The PDA phone (Smart Phone) is in its infancy and so is changing very rapidly. New devices come out several times a year and the services are continuing to evolve. Because of this be prepared for a very short useful lifetime of whichever device you select, 1-2 years maximum - likely closer to the lower end.
ITS has had good experience with three different PDA phones (Smart Phones). This allows for selection of palmOne or Pocket PC/Windows Mobile and selection of form (cell phone or PDA centric). It is up to you to evaluate your needs and select the phone that best meets those needs.
The following three PDA phones (Smart Phones) are being used by some ITS staff and several non-ITS high-end, extremely mobile users, with great success.
| Samsung i730 | Treo 700w/700p | Verizon XV6700/Sprint PPC-6700 | Motorola Q | |||
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| The i730 is a PDA that features a vertical slideout QWERTY keyboard. The i730 runs Windows Mobile 2003 OS and uses ActiveSync to sync with the Hawkmail server. | The latest of the Treo series. The Treo 700 is a mid-range device that is small but offers screen touch navigation and a QWERTY keyboard. The 700w runs the Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system and uses ActiveSync to sync with the Hawkmail server. The 700p is a similar model running the Palm OS. The 700p uses VersaMail to sync via Hawkmail ActiveSync. The 700w is available from Verizon. The 700p is available from Verizon and Sprint. | The 6700 is a PDA that features a horizontal slideout QWERTY keyboard. The 6700 runs the Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system and uses ActiveSync to sync with the Hawkmail server. | The Q is an ultra-thin (.45 inches) device offering a Thumb wheel and QWERTY keyboard. The Q runs the Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system and uses ActiveSync to sync with the Hawkmail server. |
Some features to consider when selecting a PDA phone (Smart Phone):
Camera: Some schools and other institutions and facilities have banned camera phones. If you do not need a camera you might consider inquiring about getting a device without a camera.
Folding Keyboard: 
A folding keyboard can truly make the device a laptop replacement. We have had good experience with the Stowaway Infrared keyboard by Think Outside.
3. Cellular Phone Carrier
University of Iowa users are free to choose plans from the vendor of their choice, but should take care to find plans that are best for them. Choosing the right cellular telephone and service plan can be confusing. There are many carriers, the plans offered change rapidly and there are enough nuances of the services that figuring which one fits best is challenging.
ITS has had good experience with Verizon Wireless and US Cellular as our cell carrier for these services. They offer:
* Flexible contract options
- Federally negotiated plans from Verizon
- Campus Plan from US Cellular
* Superior customer service for these devices and services.
* Broadband-like speed in over 30 major cities with their EV-DO network.
* Good coverage area, locally and nationally.
* Choice of devices - phone or PDA centric.
Business Plan Contacts:
Verizon AmyAnn Pearson (515) 371-3710 amyann.pearson@verizonwireless.com |
US Cellular Jeff DeLong (319) 721-6640 jeff.delong@uscellular.com |
* Sprint Nextel
* Verizon Wireless
4. Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync Setup and Best Practices
Connectivity to the Hawkmail server is provided by Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync. ActiveSync allows both wireless sync through your cell phone carrier and cradle sync at your desktop. Your selected PDA Phone (Smart Phone) and your cellular phone carrier must support ActiveSync.
Setup Procedures, Best Practices, Spec Sheets and more...
* Verizon XV6700/Sprint PPC-6700