Friday, November 10, 2006
Why Was WiFi Removed From ActiveSync 4.x?
Posted by Ed Hansberry in "ARTICLE" @ 07:00 AM
http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsmobile/archive/2006/11/08/wifi-did-you-do-that.aspx
"Having survived explaining why the X button doesn’t close apps, I’ve been emboldened to take on the completely radioactive subject of why WiFi ActiveSync was removed from ActiveSync 4. I’m sure that I won’t come out of this one unscathed. The people affected by this are really angry. And, though I didn’t have anything to do with the decision, I’m guessing that you’re going to take your frustrations out on me anyway. But, hey, someone needs to explain why these things happen. That someone might as well be me."
Mike Calligaro goes on to give a history lesson of how ActiveSync got the ability to do WiFi, but I am not sure it is accurate. He makes it sound as if WiFi was an extension of Ethernet and Ethernet came about shortly after USB, which was the successor to serial. The problem with that chronology is even ActiveSync's predecessor, Windows CE Services, allowed network connections. I used to plug my modem into a Philips Nino 320 and dial into our network at the office. The Nino would find my logged in PC just fine and synchronize over a blazing 19,200 modem connection. 8O It also worked when AS 3.0 came out. It seems network connections were there from at least the days of Windows CE Services 2.x. I don't think WinCE Services knew the difference between a modem and Ethernet card from a client perspective, it just happily allowed TCP/IP connections from the outside.
Anyway, it gets back to security. ActiveSync doesn't encrypt data with the desktop like it does with Exchange Server, so someone could steal your data as it was being transmitted, and you simply cannot be trusted to make a decision on that. You can turn off your firewall in Windows. You can choose not to install antivirus software and antispyware software. You can turn off Automatic Updates. You can disable the antiphishing filter in your browser. You can run around your house nekkid with scissors, but the one thing you absolutely, positively cannot do is sync with your PC in your kitchen from the bedroom because someone might be in your basement lurking stealing your data, or if you are in a small office, you can't sync with your PC in your office from the conference room because one of the five people you work with might be listening in on that transmission, and heaven forbid you are at Starbucks and initiate an encrypted VPN connection to your home PC and sync through that secure connection.
Wait. Two things you can't do. You can't be allowed to close applications in less than 7 taps. I'm sorry, but to date, I still haven't heard a valid reason to totally rip out this feature in ActiveSync. I can understand it being missing from ActiveSync 4.0, as for the most part, that was a rewrite and some things didn't make it in, like device backup. However, that was over a year ago. You can't even wirelessly sync with your Windows Vista machine unless it is via bluetooth from 30 feet away. It simply isn't a priority. I guess if wireless syncing is important to you, you need to stick with ActiveSync 3.8 (which, by the way, has been removed from Microsoft's site) and a WM2003SE device, or install Exchange Server. :?
"Having survived explaining why the X button doesn’t close apps, I’ve been emboldened to take on the completely radioactive subject of why WiFi ActiveSync was removed from ActiveSync 4. I’m sure that I won’t come out of this one unscathed. The people affected by this are really angry. And, though I didn’t have anything to do with the decision, I’m guessing that you’re going to take your frustrations out on me anyway. But, hey, someone needs to explain why these things happen. That someone might as well be me."
Mike Calligaro goes on to give a history lesson of how ActiveSync got the ability to do WiFi, but I am not sure it is accurate. He makes it sound as if WiFi was an extension of Ethernet and Ethernet came about shortly after USB, which was the successor to serial. The problem with that chronology is even ActiveSync's predecessor, Windows CE Services, allowed network connections. I used to plug my modem into a Philips Nino 320 and dial into our network at the office. The Nino would find my logged in PC just fine and synchronize over a blazing 19,200 modem connection. 8O It also worked when AS 3.0 came out. It seems network connections were there from at least the days of Windows CE Services 2.x. I don't think WinCE Services knew the difference between a modem and Ethernet card from a client perspective, it just happily allowed TCP/IP connections from the outside.
Anyway, it gets back to security. ActiveSync doesn't encrypt data with the desktop like it does with Exchange Server, so someone could steal your data as it was being transmitted, and you simply cannot be trusted to make a decision on that. You can turn off your firewall in Windows. You can choose not to install antivirus software and antispyware software. You can turn off Automatic Updates. You can disable the antiphishing filter in your browser. You can run around your house nekkid with scissors, but the one thing you absolutely, positively cannot do is sync with your PC in your kitchen from the bedroom because someone might be in your basement lurking stealing your data, or if you are in a small office, you can't sync with your PC in your office from the conference room because one of the five people you work with might be listening in on that transmission, and heaven forbid you are at Starbucks and initiate an encrypted VPN connection to your home PC and sync through that secure connection.
Wait. Two things you can't do. You can't be allowed to close applications in less than 7 taps. I'm sorry, but to date, I still haven't heard a valid reason to totally rip out this feature in ActiveSync. I can understand it being missing from ActiveSync 4.0, as for the most part, that was a rewrite and some things didn't make it in, like device backup. However, that was over a year ago. You can't even wirelessly sync with your Windows Vista machine unless it is via bluetooth from 30 feet away. It simply isn't a priority. I guess if wireless syncing is important to you, you need to stick with ActiveSync 3.8 (which, by the way, has been removed from Microsoft's site) and a WM2003SE device, or install Exchange Server. :?
