The iPhone: Now with Microsoft ActiveSync support

Microsoft's been noticeably and characteristically mum about Apple's iPhone 2.0 unveiling this week. But on July 11, the Redmondians did make sure to note that iPhones now include ActiveSync support for Exchange Server.

On the Microsoft Team Blog, Adam Glick, a Technical Product Manager with Microsoft's Unified Communications group, highlighted the iPhones' ActiveSync support:

"If you've not heard; Apple released iPhone 2.0 today which includes a software update to the existing iPhones in the market (yes, we mentioned it when it was announced as well).  We're thrilled to add them to the family of Exchange ActiveSync licensees that enable all sorts of devices to connect to Exchange Server."

Apple licensed ActiveSync from Microsoft a year ago but didn't acknowledge officially that it had done so until March 2008. ActiveSync, according to Microsoft, "is a data synchronization service that enables mobile users to access their e-mail, calendar, and contacts and retain access to this information while they are offline."

Glick's post goes on to detail some changes that Exchange Server admins might expect to see as iPhones get added to their configuration mixes.

Speaking of Microsoft and the iPhone, Microsoft was not among the vendors who rolled out this week new apps for the iPhone store. No word from the Softies as to if or when they might do so. Microsoft has objected publicly to the 30 percent cut Apple is taking from vendors in order to be included as part of the iPhone store.

News.com's Ina Fried quoted Scott Horn, a General Manager in Microsoft's Mobile Communications Business, as saying he wasn't aware of any plans by Microsoft to deliver iPhone apps. Horn also highlighted the fact Microsoft has nearly 18,000 Windows Mobile apps, compared to Apple's 500 or so.

Meanwhile, the first Windows Mobile 7 phones, which are expected to support multi-touch, are not expected to begin rolling out until the first quarter of 2009.