HTC have released an update to the HTC Sync application for Android devices running version 1.5 or 1.6 of the operating system: ie the Magic, Tattoo and the original Hero.
This application provides Outlook synchronisation and application installation, but does not provide the media, document and bookmark synchronisation features offered by HTC Sync 3 for later Android models.

Using the Google Android SDK, if your Android device does not support USB storage mode, you can transfer files to and from the Android device as well as any inserted memory card. In this post I shall only be dealing with MacOS, but similar instructions apply to both Linux and Windows.

The SDK can be downloaded from the Google Developer web site - http://developer.android.com

Once you have downloaded the SDK ZIP file, extract the contents. In the Tools folder, double click the "ddms" file:

With the release of Google's Nexus One handset, the Android platform has had a lot of publicity recently. Offering high levels of user-customisation, social networking integration and a 'desktop-like' mobile browsing experience, the device is very attractive to consumers...but is the operating system ready for the Enterprise?

What is meant by an 'Enterprise-ready' operating system? Ideally the platform should offer the features required by a mobile user as well as conform to the security policy defined by the IT department.

Augmented Reality (AR) is the term for technology that presents the user with a 'mixed' view of the physical world combining a video image of a location together with an overlaid computer-generated view providing information about that location.

A simple example would be the practice of artificially defining pitch lines during sports television broadcasts to enable the viewer to better appreciate team territory possession or possible penalty offences.

Release 1.6 of the Android platform, aka Donut, included support for PPTP, L2TP and IPSec-based VPN connections.
This article will give an overview of where to find the settings governing VPN connections, what connection settings are required, and how to install and select certificates.

VPN settings are located in the Settings menu under Settings --> Wireless Controls --> VPN Settings:

The following types of VPN connection are supported:

The Tattoo is HTC's second SIM-free Android-based device following in the footsteps of the Hero (http://blog.brightpointuk.co.uk/introducing-htc-hero). Aimed more at the consumer market than the Hero, the Tattoo is smaller, fitting any pocket thanks to the removal of the Google 'chin', including an FM Radio and also boasting a range of replaceable covers, reminiscent of Nokia's Xpress-On covers from yester-year.

Sipdroid is a free application for Android that provides SIP client functionality, enabling you to connect to a SIP-based IP PBX, such as Asterisk, over both WiFi and 3G networks (provided that your operator supports it).

Before the Android device can be used as a remote extension, there are a number of pre-requisites that need to be satisfied on the server:

The HTC Hero features a Server ActiveSync client enabling bi-directional push synchronisation of contacts, calendar and email PIM data with Microsoft Exchange 2003 SP2 or later.

You will be prompted to configure email account settings during the initial setup wizard when powering on the device for the first time or following a hard reset: