'Push' mail support coming to iPhone

Apple today announced that it is implementing ActiveSync for Exchange mail support on its iPhone. The word came today during a planned meeting at the company's Cupertino campus, where Apple promised to discuss the future of software on the iPhone. ActiveSync for Exchange mail support, or 'push' mail, comes alongside promises of improved security for the mobile handset, according to phonemag. Stanford University has already purchased hundreds of iPhones for faculty and students, according to Apple, and the Cupertino-based company promised built-in Cisco IPsec VPN capability with certificates and identities with WPA2/802.11x. [updated]

The forthcoming changes will see Exchange support built into the iPhone, directly in Mail and Calendar as well as contacts. Syncing is almost immediate, according to Apple, and the software allows users to toggle contacts as well as calendar and email on or off.

The latest release will also allow IT managers to perform a 'remote wipe,' effectively deleting all data in the event that the iPhone is lost or stolen.

Numerous enterprises have avoided widespread adoption of Apple's iPhone since its release in June of 2007, with many firms citing the device's lack of 'push' email support as the most significant barrier.

iPhone 2.0 software also includes a configuration utility that allows IT administrators to easily set up numerous iPhones, including password policies, VPN setting, installing certificates, email server settings, and more. Once the configuration is defined it is easily and securely delivered via Web link or email to users. To install, users need only authenticate with a user ID or password, download the configuration and tap install. Once installed, the user has access to all corporate IT services.

Filed under: iPhone, Apple, security
Other story tags: mobile, phone, sync, Exchange