Push email

[Glenn]

Does anyone if IDNet supports Push email? The reason being, I have just got a new mobile that supports it and would like to try it out.

[Simon]

I've often wondered what that is!

[Lance]

I don't think they do, Glenn. Could you use pull email instead?

[Lance]

I've often wondered what that is!

Push email is where the server 'pushes' the new email to the phone/blackberry etc, rather than the device asking the server whether there is any new emails.

[Glenn]

I just found out from a guy at work, it is a feature of Exchange 2003 and later, so pop3 mail doesn't support it

[Sebby]

Pull email is what we're all used to, i.e. where our mail client takes from the server.

Push email is only really found on Exchange accounts and Blackberry servers.

[Rik]

Presumably, it's similar to RSS in practice, Sebby, so how hard would it be for an ISP to provide a push account?

[Sebby]

AFAIK, it wouldn't be possible on a POP3 or IMAP system. They'd need to provide us all with MS Exchange accounts, for example, which would be extremely costly, and quite an overkill.

[Rik]

Just musing.

[Sebby]

One thing I forgot to mention... Alternatively, you can get a Blackberry, and your mobile provider will effectively turn any POP3 or IMAP account into push. You provide their server with all your email account details, which will constantly pull emails from those servers, and push them to your mobile.

'Real' Blackberry push email requires a Blackberry server in your organisation.

[Rik]

So useful for forum alerts... 

[Sebby]

I'd say more annoying than useful.

[Rik]

 

[Simon]

Would that work with my K850i, Seb?  I'm pretty sure I've seen Push email on it somewhere.

[Sebby]

Yep. Many phones are capable; it's just the push email service we don't have.