With the release of the Android 3.0 SDK it is possible to have a look at the look, feel and capabilities of the vanilla platform using the device emulator. In this article I shall have a quick look at the Exchange ActiveSync client included in this release of the Android operating system.

As always, this article was written using the device emulator, it is down to individual manufacturers as to whether they choose to implement Exchange ActiveSync, and whether they use Google's client or develop their own. This post is for general geek interest only.

For instructions on how to configure the Android SDK on MacOS, read this article - http://blog.brightpointuk.co.uk/running-android-sdk-mac-os-106-snow-leopard

Setting up the Exchange account

When launching the Android email client for the first time, you will be prompted to enter your email address and password. The client contains the settings for common email providers such as Hotmail and Google and will be able to configure the account automatically if you are using a service that the device "knows" about.

For private corporate Exchange servers the device will most likely not be able to determine the type of account automatically and you will be prompted to confirm the type of email account you want to configure:

Select Exchange, the following screen will be displayed:

Your username will need to be entered in the form "domain\username"

These settings will be available from your IT department, but if you log into a Windows-based PC in the office, the domain information will be the same as that contained in the "Log Into" field when you press CTRL ALT DEL to access your PC (under the password field)
Your username and password will be the same as you usually use.

The Server Address will be the external name or IP address of your Exchange server. If you access Outlook Web Access via a web browser to check your mail, this will be normally be the same address, typically in the form "mail.company.com"

If your server requires a secure connection (you can tell if your Outlook Web Access URL uses https at the beginning, or redirects to an https address) then tick the option to use SSL.
If your Exchange server uses a self-signed, or non root-trusted SSL certificate, then tick the option to Accept all SSL certificates.

Enter the required settings and select Next. The wizard will then connect to the server address entered and verify the details. If your Exchange server has device management policies enabled, such as a requirement to use a password, you will be prompted to confirm that you accept these policies:

Select OK. You will now be prompted to specify how frequently you want mail delivered, and what other mailbox folders you wish to synchronise: contacts and calendar are available besides email:

You will then be notified of the device management policies that the Exchange server will implement on the device:

Select Activate. Your account is now configured and you will be prompted to enter a name for the new email account to identify it:

Your mail will now be downloaded. Access to mailbox subfolders is also supported.

Account settings can be edited once complete by tapping on the Settings button in the top right hand corner of the email screen: