University Mobile Platform Guide for LSPs

Introduction:

This guide is intended to give Local Support Providers guidance when considering a mobile device purchase. Information Systems & Computing (ISC) supports certain classes of handheld computers, notably Smartphones, Tablets and BlackBerry devices when connecting to ISC's central services. ISC will make a best effort attempt to assist LSPs with mobile device issues in other circumstances, though with the exception of support for devices compatible with ISC's Microsoft Exchange and Zimbra services, we cannot guarantee central computer system interoperability.

This guide documents what is supported by ISC. Local support available from schools and centers may vary. As always, faculty and staff should speak with their LSP to determine which product(s) are supported or recommended within their environment before choosing a device.

Life Cycle:

• These devices are subject to more day-to-day stresses than a conventional laptop or desktop
• Rapid development by vendors means that these devices are being improved (and will be made obsolete) at a faster rate than conventional computers
• The fast release cycles for all carriers mean manufacturers have reduced incentives to provide vital updates for devices more than a year old

	Android	BlackBerry	iOS	webOS	Windows Phone 7
Newest/oldest supported version	Unsupported	7.0/4.3	5.1/4.3.5	3.0.4/1.2	1.5/1.2
AirPennNet-Help	Y	N	Y	N	N
Exchange	Unsupported	Uses BES1	Y	Y	Y
Zimbra	Unsupported	Unsupported	Y	Y	Y
PennNet Phone voicemail attachment playback	Unsupported	Y	Y2	Y	Y2
Security	Poor	Excellent	Fair	Poor	Poor
1 BES usage incurs extra charges per month
2 Voicemail attachments are played via the system speaker instead of the earpiece

Platform Snapshots (Click to expand)

Android

• Overview: Android, as a platform, excels at multitasking and flexibility, providing ample APIs for power users to access highly technical functionality and fine-tune device behavior. However, current releases of Android tend to be plagued with an array of UI overlays like Samsung's TouchWiz, HTC's Sense, Motorola's MotoBlur, and others. These overlays, which can not be disabled in any straightforward and supportable manner, change how the devices interact with and process Exchange ActiveSync and other functionality. This can result in misinterpreted security policies, mishandled email and calendaring data, and other assorted difficulties. ISC is working to determine how Android can be supported. If support is rolled out, it will likely be limited to devices running the stock Android OS, without any UI overlay. Such devices frequently feature 'with Google' branding inscribed on the device itself.
• Security: Devices with stock Android generally obey Exchange Active Sync security policies and remote wipe commands. Devices with UI overlays do not respond to EAS policies in a predictable manner. Android 2.x doesn't support encryption at the platform level, and all data on the device can be browsed via USB if it is lost or stolen. Android 3.x devices support disk encryption, but this encryption only prevents data on the device from being accessed if the device has been turned off. When turned on, all data on the device can be browsed via USB if it is lost or stolen.
• Exchange & Zimbra: Functional, but unsupported. On devices with stock Android, basic email, contact, and calendaring via Exchange ActiveSync is present. Folders are browsable. Mail is not searchable. Conversations are not grouped by threads. Calendar invitations can be received, though sending is occasionally unsuccessful. Calendar data generally displays well, but most calendar management should be reserved for dedicated clients like Outlook. Contact syncing can occasionally experience errors. On devices with UI overlays, various custom clients can interact with mail, contacts, and calendar data in inconsistent and unexpected ways.
• AirPennNet: XpressConnect, via AirPennNet-Help, works for most devices with stock Android, and many devices with UI overlays.
• PennNet Phone voicemail attachments: Android devices can play back VOIP voicemail received on the device via email.
• Documentation links: University-Centric Android Compatibility, XpressConnect Known Issues: Android

BlackBerry OS

• Overview: BlackBerry OS devices still feature the best security on a mobile device and have the best email experience for users who are heavily email-centric. BlackBerry OS 7 features incremental improvements in the OS that make it more competitive with other modern platforms, including improved browsing and graphics display. BlackBerry OS 7 scores 100/100 on the Acid3 test. PLEASE NOTE: BlackBerry OS is distinct from the BlackBerry PlayBook OS, which runs a distinct Unix-based operating system. This OS does not currently have first-party email connectivity and will be evaluated by ISC when it does.
• Security: BlackBerry devices running the BlackBerry OS have the best security of any platform, featuring FIPS certification, robust encryption in over- the- air transmission of messages for BES-connected devices, full device encryption, and strict adherence to security policies. BlackBerry devices are strongly recommended for any users who interact with sensitive information on their mobile devices.
• Exchange & Zimbra: BlackBerry devices must be connected via the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. BES connected devices feature robust email, contact, and calendar management. ISC hosts a BES on Exchange. ISC no longer hosts a Zimbra BES.
• AirPennNet: BlackBerry OS devices do not support TTLS/PAP and do not work on AirPennNet. RIM has not indicated that they will add TTLS/PAP in future BlackBerry OS releases.
• PennNet Phone voicemail attachments: BlackBerry devices can play back VOIP voicemail received on the device via email.
• Documentation links: Exchange BlackBerry Activation, XpressConnect Known Issues: BlackBerry OS

iOS

• Overview: iOS is Apple's wildly successful mobile platform. iOS has a significant presence on campus in the form of iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches. The platform performs basic tasks very well and has a very robust app store that meets many specific needs.
• Security: Current iOS devices obey the University's required Exchange Active Sync security policies and remote wipe commands. iOS devices, starting with the iPhone 3GS, have supported device encryption. However, this encryption has been circumvented numerous times in the past few years via various publicly known exploits. ISC considers this encryption to be a nice feature, but insufficient to protect truly sensitive information. Users accessing sensitive information on their devices are urged to get a BlackBerry.
• Exchange & Zimbra: iOS devices are supported on both Exchange and Zimbra. Email, contact syncing, and calendaring are present and work with most common features via Exchange ActiveSync. Folders are browsable, and conversations can be grouped by threads. Only mail stored on the device can be searched. Calendar invitations can be received and sent, though users should be careful not to duplicate event management in other clients. Events should be not be modified on an iOS device.
• AirPennNet: XpressConnect, via AirPennNet-Help, works well with iOS.
• PennNet Phone voicemail attachments: iOS devices can play back VOIP voicemail received on the device via email, however, email is played back via the device's internal speaker and not the earpiece.
• Documentation links: Configuration for Exchange, configuration for Zimbra, configuration for AirPennNet when not using XpressConnect, XpressConnect Known Issues: iOS

webOS

• Overview: webOS is HP's mobile platform available in various phones and tablets. webOS is an intuitive operating system with very fluid multitasking. It is particularly well suited to first-time smartphone and tablet users, who tend to be very happy with webOS devices. HP's mobile strategy has recently come into question and webOS's future is uncertain. Until it is clear that webOS will continue to be maintained, other mobile platforms should be considered.
• Security: webOS devices obey required Exchange Active Sync security policies and remote wipe commands. webOS does not currently support encryption at the platform level, and all data on the device can be browsed via USB if it is lost or stolen.
• Exchange & Zimbra: webOS devices are supported on both Exchange and Zimbra. Email, contact syncing, and calendaring are present and work with most common features. Folders are browsable. Conversations cannot be grouped by threads. Only mail stored on the device can be searched. Calendar invitations can be received and sent, though users should be careful not to duplicate event management in other clients. Events should be not be modified on a webOS device.
• AirPennNet: webOS does support 802.1X TTLS/PAP, but XpressConnect does not yet function with webOS. webOS compatibility for XpressConnect has been requested from the vendor.
• PennNet Phone voicemail attachments: webOS devices can play back VOIP voicemail received on the device via email.
• Documentation links: Configuration for Exchange, configuration for Zimbra, XpressConnect Known Issues: webOS

Windows Phone 7

• Overview: Windows Phone 7 has taken over from Windows Mobile as Microsoft's primary smartphone platform and is developed with more of a consumer focus than Microsoft's prior enterprise-centric mobile operating systems. The Mango update has brought additional functionality that makes it more competitive with competing platforms, but it still lacks certain features typically present in a more mature operating system. Users should not expect Windows Phone 7 devices to be compatible with legacy Windows Mobile programs, or be at all familiar to interact with. Further significant updates can be expected in the year to come.
• Security: Windows Phone 7 devices obey required Exchange Active Sync security policies and remote wipe commands. Windows Phone 7 does not currently support encryption at the platform level, and all data on the device can be browsed via USB if it is lost or stolen.
• Exchange & Zimbra: Windows Phone 7 devices are supported on both Exchange and Zimbra. Email, calendar, and contact management are present with folders browsing and conversation threading. Mail present on the device can be searched. Calendar invitations can be received, though invitations can only be sent to recognized contacts. Users should be careful not to duplicate event management in other clients. Events should not be modified on a Windows Phone 7 device.
• AirPennNet: Windows Phone 7 devices do not support 802.1X/ TTLS/PAP. Microsoft has not indicated when they may support this protocol.
• PennNet Phone voicemail attachments: Windows Phone 7 devices with the NoDo update and later can play back VOIP voicemail received on the device via email, however, email is played back via the device's internal speaker and not the earpiece.
• Documentation links: Configuration for Exchange, configuration for Zimbra, XpressConnect Known Issues: Windows Phone 7

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Page maintained by Jordan McClead
Updated January 31, 2012
Next update as needed