Palm Releases Improved VersaMail

Posted By: Ryan Tuesday, April 15, 2003 10:18:26 AM

Palm has released VersalMail 2.5. The new version includes a number of improvements and new features including automatic message retrieval, a 2-line message interface, new fonts and an improved syncing conduit.

Automatic Email Retrieval
VersaMail 2.5 can now automatically check for new mail messages on a schedule the user specifies from every 15 minutes to once a day. When new messages come in the user can be notified with a sound, a LED blink, or a vibration. If a message is queued to send, and the user is out of wireless coverage, VersaMail will automatically try sending the message again later.

Improved Display
The new default display option is a 2-line message view, it also includes additional high resolution font and color support. VersaMail will also render basic HTML email formatting including colors, bold, underlining, italics and bullets. In addition all hyperlinks will now open in the default web browser.

New Synchronization and Security Features
In addition to Windows PC synchronization with Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, and Eudora, as well as server-based sync with Exchange, Lotus Domino, IMAP, and POP, VersaMail 2.5 adds sync support for local Lotus Notes mail. VersaMail also supports Windows PC synchronization of up to 11 user-defined Microsoft Exchange, IMAP, or Lotus Domino folders. The Synchronization conduit has a revamped interface, which now includes a progress bar and overall sync speed has been improved.

VersaMail now uses 128-bit AES encryption to encrypt account passwords on the handheld. It now also supports SSL email on handhelds running Palm OS 5.2 or higher.

VersaMail 2.5VersaMail can now attach and play back Voice Memo files (requires Voice Memo 1.1) and unzip ZIP files. Improved SD Card support allows access to subfolders located on a card. And when there are multiple applications on the handheld available for viewing a single attachment, VersaMail now lets the user choose which to use to open the file.

VersaMail is available now as a download through the Palm Software Connection for $34.99 USD. It will also ship in the box with future Palm Tungsten handhelds.

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cool

Botornig @ 4/15/2003 11:09:59 AM #
First Msg :O

Looking forward to syncing versamail with my Lotus Notes email. Haven't been able to do that yet.

Lotus Notes & VersaMail 2.5
AndyG @ 4/15/2003 5:27:56 PM #
I have tried for a couple of hours now to sync LN with the latest version of VersaMail. Tried everything possible but just can't get it to sync. Couldn't get version 2.0 working ever either.

Has anyone managed to get this to work? Looking through the newsgroups my feeling is no-one has ever managed and I am not confident the new version will help us either.

Lotus Notes
snowdej @ 4/22/2003 7:19:20 AM #
Hi

I have not had any problems synchronising versamail and lotus notes (notes 5 and 6) versamail 2.0

If you need any help just send me an email

Regards

Julian

RE: cool
mwicks @ 6/12/2003 4:07:15 PM #
Julian,

I am having great difficulties synching Versamail 2.5 with Notes R5 using a Tungsten T (on a NetWare LAN). For several years we have been using m500s and Intellisync 4 with no problems.

I don't understand why, when I set up a Synch Only session, that it requires a IMAP or POP configuration as I am not running either of these on my Domino server where my mail is stored (we don't replicate to the local drive).

It initializes the conduit fine but then hangs right after it notifies that "it is trying to connect to the account for ....". The log shows:

"- The account NotesMail has been configured as an IMAP client on either the desktop or the handheld, but not on both. This mis-configuration cannot continue through the HotSync operation.
VersaMail - None of the accounts are configured for HotSync. Use the conduit to configure accounts to HotSync."

I have double-checked everything but can't see what I am missing. Any ideas where else to look?

Regards .... MikeW

RE: cool
Neils @ 1/13/2004 12:59:53 PM #
MikeW I have the same problem despite everything being setup as IMAP on both desktop and client I get the same error as you. Have you managed to get it sorted ? or have I wasted my money on Versamail 2.5 ?

15min?

new505user @ 4/15/2003 11:21:41 AM #
Is there any reason Versamail doesn't offer even shorter intervals for automatic mail retrieval? For many people, sub-5 minute intervals would be much better. Is it a battery issue or a cost issue (AT&T doesn't want them to offer that option)? Does anyone know how often the RIM (say the GPRS version for a fair comparo with Tungsten/W) checks for mail? It's more frequently than every 15min, no?

RE: 15min?
hrl71 @ 4/15/2003 11:27:42 AM #
The RIMs use a different technology called "push" where the handheld automatically gets the email. RIM's do not need to "check" for email every so often, so it's different from the Tungsten W and other Palm devices.


RE: 15min?
hrl71 @ 4/15/2003 11:29:16 AM #
Wanted to add that if you need to be notified of emails faster, have people send you email via SMS or use an Yahoo! Mail account where they can send you SMS notifications of new emails on your Yahoo! account, then you go and check your Yahoo! email acct for the full text. You will have to sign up for Yahoo! Mail Plus to be able to check email via POP.

Thats one way to workaround some of the limitations of the T|W.

RE: 15min?
new505user @ 4/15/2003 12:30:18 PM #
Are you sure you're not confusing the pager and GPRS versions of the blackberries? I thought the "push" technology was something intrinsic to the pager networks. I thought in switching to GPRS, RIM traded off "push" for higher data rates. Since BOTH the Tungsten/W and the NEW blackberries use the same network, why can RIM offer push email and Palm can't? It seems absurd to me that Palm would set out to build a blackberry killer (and with hi-res color, SD support, and a MUCH more versatile OS it seems on many levels they have)and not incorporate such an obviously desirable technology. It's inevitably the FIRST thing the Walt Mossberg's of the world are going to harp on. Even if there is a tech difference, why not offer auto downloads every, say, 2 minutes? Thanks for the help

RE: 15min?
hrl71 @ 4/15/2003 1:15:32 PM #
The GPRS Blackberries do have push technology just like the pager versions. The key is the server software that RIM uses with the Blackberries, they can offer push email on any wireless platform they want to.

If RIM removed push tech from their GPRS Blackberries, they'd be shooting themselves in the foot, removing the exact thing that differentiates them from all other competitors. Palm does have a push solution, but it is enterprise-only where you have to purchase the Tungsten server software. I think they had it for the i705 series, as I can't find it anywhere on Palm's site...geez. I spoke to some Palm people at their Comdex booth and thats the solution they suggested last fall. Dunno what they're up to now - other than the fact that they've signed some licenses with RIM. Maybe those licenses were for the keyboards, maybe for more.

RE: 15min?
rsc1000 @ 4/15/2003 2:28:25 PM #
>Since BOTH the Tungsten/W and the NEW blackberries use the same network, why can RIM offer push email and Palm can't?

I thought Palm was going to be offering push capability through AT&T sometime this year? at least i remember reading that...

RE: 15min?
hrl71 @ 4/15/2003 4:04:50 PM #
Push capability doesn't depend on the network. It depends on the email server the device uses. The Blackberry email server pushes email to the Blackberry device. Palm users have to configure their email software to use their email server of preference (like any new PC, you got to set up your email app with your username/password/server, etc).

SMS notifications of e-mail
BillFugina @ 4/15/2003 4:07:46 PM #
I have written a program that sits on your desktop computer and will send an SMS notification to your palm when you have new e-mail.

The program is in early stages of development, but anyone can try it out. You can find it at http://www.dogspots.com/emailnotify

Currently, it only works with MS Exchange servers, but I am considering adding support for POP3 and IMAP4 servers; I'm just waiting to see how much interest there is.

Most e-mail programs limit polling for new messages to once every 15 min because more frequent polling would take up too much battery power and would cost too much for people that have to pay for data transfers. This program lets you turn off polling on your palm and do it on your desktop. When new messages arrive, a SMS message is sent to the palm so you know to fetch your mail.

Also, there are many e-mail programs (Mark/Space, BaseJet, etc) that recognize that the SMS message has arrived and will automatically fetch your mail when it notices the SMS come in.

Finally, there is a program for Treos called TreoHelper that will notice SMS messages and trigger any program when they come in. This program can be used to make other mail programs fetch even if they don't recognize the SMS trigger.

Having your e-mail automatically download as soon as it comes in is as close to "push" as it can get.

RE: 15min?
Altema @ 4/15/2003 9:26:33 PM #
I would have though they would have given more choices. SnapperMail, for example, lets you specify anywhere from once a day to once a minute in 1 minute increments. Once a minute is too short unless you have a lan connection, but it's good to have the option.

Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?

hrl71 @ 4/15/2003 11:26:34 AM #
The T|W just got released and didn't have VersaMail 2.5 - which it SHOULD have been released with. Will those users get a free upgrade to 2.5?


RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
hkklife @ 4/15/2003 11:34:25 AM #
T|W *should* have shipped with this standard, or at the very least Palm should offer it as a free download to T|W owners. T|W owners should be able to buy it at a substantial discount--$10 or less, I think.

Of course, none of the above is likely to occur and Palm wil continue to slowly alienate their customer base. Besides, who is to say that Palm will be around long enough to release another Tungsten-branded device (especially a wireless one)? I really hope that the Zire 71 is a runaway hit for them in every way imaginable...

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
Mead Lawson @ 4/15/2003 12:02:10 PM #
Frankly, IMO updates within the major release level should be free for whomever owns a registered copy of v2.0. I can accept paying for an upgrade to v3.0, but not just for an update within the v2.x release. $35 bucks is pretty steep for an "update", don't you think?

- Mead
RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
lwehrung @ 4/15/2003 12:47:00 PM #
Well, I have a Tungsten/T, and I just finished installing Version 2.5. I do not use the conduit, but I upgraded to Version 2.5 without any problems and without paying a $34.99 upgrade fee. You can download it from PalmGear here:

http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?prodID=48823

---------------------------------------
http://www.wehrungonline.com/palmos/

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
rsc1000 @ 4/15/2003 2:31:05 PM #
I haven't installed this yet - but isn't the PalmGear link just a trial of some sorts? why else would they have it listed with 34.99 just above the download link? this how PalmGear operates - free trial / pay for the full.

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
lwehrung @ 4/15/2003 2:41:25 PM #
Well, I have not installed the software on a device that did not have Version 2.0 already installed. On my upgrade installation, there is no mention of it being a trial version. Anyone out there try a fresh install that can shed some more light on this? Thanks.

---------------------------------------
http://www.wehrungonline.com/palmos/
RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
rsc1000 @ 4/15/2003 2:56:53 PM #
I just installed it on my T|T and i had never installed a previous version of VersaMail. No mention of of a trial version either. What does this mean? Either the software is detecting that i'm running it on a T|T (instead of checking for previous VersaMail version, or PalmGear screwed up, or Palm SG is relying on our honesty. Somethings up here...

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
pgoida @ 4/15/2003 3:16:49 PM #
The link now only supports buying. He who hesitates...

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
rsc1000 @ 4/15/2003 3:29:00 PM #
sweet - i got mine for free:) i consider myself a fairly honest person - so i would have considered buying it wasn't for the fact that i just got my VersaMail 2.0 app with my T|T just 2 months ago - so i'll consider this my free upgrade:) i said 'honest' - not stupid.

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
Tracer @ 4/15/2003 4:01:51 PM #
Care to send it to me? I was just to late, saw it disappear in front of my own eyes..

E-mail is in my profile.

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
hrl71 @ 4/15/2003 4:03:08 PM #
Got the VersaMail 2.5 package and installed it on my T|W, it asked me if I wanted to upgrade when I launched VersaMail. Now I have all the new functionality and it's a great upgrade!!! :D


RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
lzlong @ 4/15/2003 4:11:54 PM #
This is the initial response I got from Palm about an upgrade price for VM 2.5:

Palm is not offering an upgrade price for VersaMail 2.5 at this time. There are actually so many new features in the product that we could have made it a full point release version.

I'm also glad I got my free upgrade when I did; I just got my T|T 3 weeks ago and didn't expect to be spending $35 to upgrade the software that came with it.

Mike

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
lzlong @ 4/15/2003 4:17:39 PM #
Palm's got most of the story about it on their website (they have a bad link to download it):

http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q1FE23934

Hope that fits.... I'm also curious about this quote:
"Palm VersaMail 2.5 also will ship in the box with future Palm Tungsten(TM) handhelds." So why do current owners have to *pay* to get it? Hope Palm gets it worked out quickly.

Mike

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
Davy Fields @ 4/15/2003 7:37:29 PM #
Okay.... anyone who downloaded that, help me out and send me the .zip to "davy@davyfields.com".... I want to check this out for myeslf. Thanks for the help! (I have a Tungsten W.... arrived less than a week ago.)

-Davy Fields
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Palm_OS_5/
RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
sixty-four @ 4/15/2003 7:51:11 PM #
Davy Fields sez:

"Okay.... anyone who downloaded that, help me out and send me the .zip to "davy@davyfields.com".... I want to check this out for myeslf. Thanks for the help! (I have a Tungsten W.... arrived less than a week ago.)"

A forum moderator asking for illegal copies of commercial software. For shame!

----
Forty Six and 2 are just ahead of me

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
Davy Fields @ 4/15/2003 8:45:57 PM #
Illegal copies? Sheesh... well, if this fits under the description of something illegal, nevermind.

-Davy Fields
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Palm_OS_5/
RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
dboehme @ 4/15/2003 9:36:11 PM #
There's nothing illegal about asking for software that he should be given for free directly by Palm. Because Palm chooses to abandon it's current Tungsten owners, that's not his fault, rather Palm's. Given this, I'm sure they'll screw us regarding any future OS update.

Current owner of a Palm Tungsten T.

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
TDS Computer @ 4/15/2003 10:26:21 PM #
"There's nothing illegal about asking for software that he should be given for free directly by Palm. Because Palm chooses to abandon it's current Tungsten owners, that's not his fault, rather Palm's. Given this, I'm sure they'll screw us regarding any future OS update."


You know better than this! It is not up to you or this forum to decide what "should" and "should not" be illegal about trading a software package. If a box of Office 2002 CD's fell off a truck, congrats to the lucky guy who finds them. That does not give him the right to copy that software just because he found it for free.
BTW, I agree that there should be a steep discount for current users, but I don't advocate piracy just because I think it is "unfair"


Visit us at www.tdscomputer.com

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
dboehme @ 4/15/2003 10:33:54 PM #
Good argument! In that case, I'm keeping the car that I found the keys in at the mall today.

Don't quit your day job.

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
sixty-four @ 4/15/2003 11:51:27 PM #
dboehme sez:

"Good argument! In that case, I'm keeping the car that I found the keys in at the mall today.

Don't quit your day job"

Rough crowd! Better hope you never lose your house key.


----
Forty Six and 2 are just ahead of me

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
harts1spitfire @ 4/16/2003 2:58:27 PM #
Let me see if I have this correct:

1.) It is available to buyers today when they purchase a Tungsten T (TT).
2.) TT sells for less today than what I paid for mine 2 months ago.
3.) No free upgrade for current TT Owners
4.) Cost to current TT owner is $34.95
5.) Short window to download a free copy on Palm, now closed

Hopefully someone will feel sorry for me and feel it necessary to provide me a copy.

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
2003Summit @ 4/16/2003 3:21:15 PM #
Light at the end of the tunnel?

I have been pressuring Palm a bit and I just got this back from palm support:

"VersaMail(TM) 2.5 has just been released. An upgrade utility to upgrade the VersaMail 2.0 to version 2.5 has not yet been released. At this point of time I cannot comment on any release dates for the
VersaMail 2.5 upgrade. I suggest you visit the Palm web site regularly for news on the release of the VersaMail 2.5 upgrade. "

I had asked if it was at least possible to *pay* for an upgrade and not have to re-purchase at full price.

Maybe if a few more people asked them about this, they might hurry it up a bit. I sent email to Palm support@palm.com and at least got quick replies.

RE: Free upgrade for Tungsten W users?
ggeoffre @ 4/20/2003 10:47:33 AM #
I received the following response from Palm Support indicating that all new Tungsten purchases will receive the updated Versamail v2.5 'in the box', and that all exisitng Tungsten owners (including those of us that paid $499), will indeed have to purchase the upgrade...

[quote]
The Versamail v2.5 is recently released and is available with the now releasing Palm Tungsten T handhelds. It is not available as a free upgrade for the previously released Palm Tungsten T handheld. If you wish to purchase the Versamail v2.5, please refer to the URL mentioned below for details and online purchase:

http://www.palm.com/products/handhelds/tungsten-t/
[/quote]

VersaMail rocks

Lidocaineus @ 4/15/2003 11:40:33 AM #
It's the only decent email program I know of for the Palm platform the supports IMAP properly (none of this limited to one folder business) and attachments well. The only thing it's missing is GnuPG support, but SSL IMAP access is practically as good. bluetooth + IMAP + no conduit + good procmail recipes (spamd / sms forwarding) = email heaven.

RE: VersaMail rocks
gillardm @ 4/15/2003 11:57:21 AM #
Unfortunately in 2.0 you could not have folder names larger than 7 chars...
You couldnt have INBOX.Drafts , etc...
I hope they added the ability to add a namespace to it!!

Looks like you cannot download it yet..

RE: VersaMail rocks
Altema @ 4/16/2003 2:27:13 PM #
Wish they would have offered a demo. There was no way to try out the former version, or this one apparently. Good thing IMAP does not matter to me.

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