A few days ago was triggered one of the most interesting features of the new version of Hotmail: phones using synchronization with Exchange ActiveSync protocol. What does this mean in practical terms? Then we can add Hotmail accounts like corporate Exchange accounts (if we have a phone that supports this protocol). Thanks to this, not only synchronizes email, but also the Windows Live Calendar events, contacts and task list on Hotmail, all under the “push”, and without paying any additional charges in other services.
Among the platforms that support Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) find IOS (iPhone, IPAD, iPod Touch), the Nokia N series, E and S, Windows Phone 7 webOS (Palm), and Windows Mobile 6.0 or later .
Unfortunately, Android is a separate story, because even supports Exchange accounts, you can not add a Hotmail since, according to Microsoft, there are compatibility problems with the mail client of the mobile OS. The Redmond report that will solve this within the next few months.
Obviously, those who use these mobile platforms are encouraged to prefer qu synchronization via ActiveSync before adding the Hotmail account using POP3, as the latter protocol is restricted to downloading new mails, while EAS offers both two-way synchronization of e such as calendar, contacts and tasks.
POP also be downloaded every few minutes, while Exchange offers a “push” (instantaneous). Yes, one must consider that some platforms have limitations regarding the service. For example, IOS can not use the synchronization of tasks with Windows Live Calendar.
To set up Hotmail via ActiveSync you need to enter the following information:
* URL: m.hotmail.com
* Username: Hotmail email address (eg johnappleseed@live.com)
* Domain: Leave blank
* SSL: Enabled
In the support site of Windows Live are the instructions in detail for each particular platform. It is important to note that to add a Hotmail account as if Exchange is only available for phones, not for desktop clients. For example, Exchange supports Apple Mail on Mac OS X, but if we try to add a Hotmail account using the information listed above we will throw error.
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This is really great information, thanks very much for posting it!
I didn’t realize that the iPhone mail client had built-in support for hotmail/Live email accounts (apparently it’s a new feature? or just the syncing part?) I was looking around for info on what the best app for hotmail was and fortunately found this article instead.
I’m amazed that using exchange for my live account ALSO syncs contacts, calendars and tasks. I couldn’t figure out how to do this to save my life! (And unless I’m mistaken, you can’t even sync tasks using iTunes built-in Outlook sync. Big negative IMO.) In addition to this, all changes I make to my email account (reading, deleting, moving, etc.) are reflected among ALL clients! It’s beautifully efficient.
So now I’m confused — is there any drawback to accessing hotmail in this way? i.e., do the paid apps like mBox, mailPro and EmailGuru offer anything that using the exchange setup won’t do? So far everything looks great to me.
Anyways, thanks again for writing this (even if it turns out to be common knowledge that I somehow overlooked) — the setup instructions worked perfectly as well.
Cheers!
Its Works….