Just this morning a colleague showed me that he had Microsoft Lync Mobile running on an HP TouchPad (rooted running Android of course) and I got the idea to post a blog of photos of Lync Mobile running on everything!
You can help by sending your photos via twitter post @matthewlandis and I’ll add new entries here. A couple devices to “prime the pump”…
HP TouchPad (Running Android)
Samsung Focus (Windows Phone)
Samsung Galaxy IIS (Android)
iPad
Asus Transformer (Courtesy: @Triumfas)
Our WCF Tool for Windows makes it one click to see which of your Contacts in Outlook could be Lync/OCS enabled. It has been in demand: nearly 1,000 downloads in a little over a month. This is a big achievement for us and, to keep the momentum, we decided to bring the Who Can Federate Tool to the Windows Phone platform.
We decided to do this for several reasons:
The first release of the Windows Phone edition will have some slightly different functionality than the PC version:
We have all the tough, behind the scenes code done. Now we will smooth the UI, make a slick logo, more testing and go through app submission process. Keep on eye on this blog for the release, or go and grab the PC WCF Tool right now!
I’m ready to hang it up and head out for the holiday and wanted to say “Merry Christmas!” before heading out. I hope each one of you a very Happy Christmas.
One of the things I like to do over Christmas holiday is read the “original” Christmas story. In my perusing I came across this recording (by Max McLean) which you might like. Here is the link.
And finally, the words of a very famous carol:
God rest you merry Gentlemen!
Let nothing you dismay;
Remember Christ our Saviour,
Was born on Christmas-day;
To save our souls from Satan's power,
Which long time had gone astray:
This brings Tidings of Comfort and Joy.
Note: The below solution definitely falls into the experimental category. But the exercise “works” and demonstrates some interesting future possibilities. So, please, don’t harass your IT with it and remember: it’s not an Enterprise solution. So much for disclaimers, onward…
Some have expressed interest in having Voice over VoIP for mobile devices using the new Lync Mobile client. With a little work around this is actually possible.
The general concept is that we will have the Lync Server call your mobile via a VoIP call instead of through the mobile voice voice network. (thanks, Microsoft for designing Lync Mobile to do call back. Brilliant.)
After a few seconds (about 10 seconds in my case) you will see the Skype incoming call notification and you can click “Answer”.
Acknowledgements: Concept arrived at separately by @itommyclarke and myself. But he beat me to testing it.
It looks like Microsoft has not held back with its official Lync App for Lync Mobile for iPhone and iPad: This app apears to be the best yet with some features even the Windows Phone version does not have.
Some of the features I’ve noticed are unique to Lync for iOS:
Some other small things I’ve noticed
This screen allows you to change your note, status, options and Simultaneous Ring settings.
Easily set your status/presence.
Lync and iPhone/iPad native Contacts are integrated into the experience. You can search for contacts directly from this same screen as well.
This is the window to see ongoing chats and move between them.
Below is the IM chat window. Pressing the upper right options” button allow you to take actions on this IM like: Invite more people to this chat, Voice call this contact, send Location and more.
IM Options
Location: When you are in an IM chat Window you can easily send your location.
More More
If you have meetings scheduled they will appear in this window. With 1 click you can see the details or join them.
Meeting details and join.
The Lync for iPhone dialing keypad feels a lot like a mobile phone dial pad. (In contrast to the Lync for Windows Phone where the dialer is a text field you type in.) You can press and hold 1 to access the Exchange UM voicemail system. You can also copy number into the keypad dialer.
Visual Voicemail on the Lync for iOS clients gives the ability to instantly select the voicemail that is of interest to you. You can listen to a voice and delete or callback the caller. You can start listening or move part way into the voicemail using the progress slider.
Visual voicemail notification
The Lync Mobile for iPhone and iPad appears to be the most full featured and refined Lync Mobile client from Microsoft yet.
Some items that are missing are calling history list (missed, dialed, completed) and conversation history is not automatically saved to Exchange list on Lync Desktop. (you can Send as an email) As with all the Lync Mobile clients, VoIP, video and meeting visuals are not included.
Microsoft has put a lot of thought into fit and finish. With features like Visual Voicemail and the more complete keypad dialing (on iPhone) and small things like very snappy feel/transitions and using the Lync desktop ring tone, the iOS client feels more like the desktop Lync experience than the earlier released Windows Phone and Android Lync Mobile clients.
Download from AppStore:
iPhone: Click Here
iPad: Click Here
It looks like the iOS Lync Mobile app is now available on the App Store.
If it does not show up in your app store here are some links:
ipad:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/microsoft-lync-2010-for-ipad/id484222449?mt=8
iphone
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/microsoft-lync-2010-for-iphone/id484293461?mt=8
Some quick screen shots below:
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Note: The below tests have been conducted in a very informal manner. For implementation planning guidance please reference Microsoft Mobility planning documents.
Microsoft has noted that their new Lync Mobile client has been dramatically optimized to operate in most mobile data network conditions. What exactly does this mean? How much data DOES Lync Mobile client use? How does this compare to the SIP based CoMo (Communicator Mobile for Windows Mobile). We fired up our lab and did some tests.
For our comparison tests we used the same Lync user with with the below profile
The compared mobile devices/clients were as follows:
Our test was as follows:
We ran the tests 4 times on each platform and averaged the results. What we found was that Microsoft has truly optimized data consumption: On the data receive side Lync Mobile was 6.33 times more efficient (less data received) than Communicator Mobile. On the send side Lync Mobile was 3.42 more efficient (less data transmitted).
To Summarize, our finding in our informal and very limited lab is that:
Below are the exact data amounts in a grid:
| Como | Lync Mobile | |
| RX Data in MB | .19 | .03 |
| TX Data in KB | 49.46 | 14.43 |
other
Note 2: These lab tests have not been peer reviewed. If you notice any anomalies, please report them to me via comments or @matthewlandis (twitter).
Lab test details worksheet: click here
Here is a quick first impression review of Lync for Android on an Acer A500 tablet. Enjoy
I’ve been trying to find a major UC Vendor that supports UC media (voice/video) over mobile data plans (2G/3G/4G, etc). While there is a lot of marketing that makes it appear that UC Voice/Video/Collaboration on VoIP is a smooth ubiquitous experience, when you read the technical details, the solution is really designed to work on “WIFI” or “your corporate” network. In some cases, it is noted, you need to switch to your mobile voice network when you leave corporate WIFI.
As an example of this reluctance read these excerpts found in Jabber for Android release notes:
Below is my informal (I did not contact each vendor/don’t claim to be expert in their mobility products) compilation of vendors that at first blush appear to do UC over VoIP everywhere, but when you start reading the technical brochures in it appears they are committing only to WIFI and Outside Voice/ Call Back/ Mobile Voice Network when not in WIFI range.
Note: I should note that vendor reluctance to commit to VoIP over mobile data networks is not a reflection against UC vendors, but a sign that mobile data networks in some (many?) areas are not primetime ready to handle real time communication data.
Note: If you find any mistakes in my informal research or have a vendor that does commit to VoIP over mobile data plan, let me know, along with URL source, and I’ll update this blog. Also if there is another vendor to add, drop me a comment.
"Place, receive, and manage calls over a Wi-Fi network using your Apple iPhone..."
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/voicesw/ps6789/ps7290/ps11156/data_sheet_c78-658146.html
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps11596/index.html
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps11678/index.html
In the video on this page it notes something like: you will need to switch to mobile voice network when leaving corp. wifi
"Wireless enabled enterprise campus 802.11 b/g/n"
Source click here
Shoretel Mobility can work over WIFI or Mobile Data Networks. In their technical notes (sources below) they note that when on WIFI you should use the below vendors, and i quote the list:
When on 3G or less I wonder what the plan is to keep from an “experimental” end user experience?
Source: Click Here
Source: http://www.shoretel.com/solutions/enterprise_mobility
Altigen supports Outside Voice for situations where VoIP over mobile data networks does not work.
It appears Aastra Mobile Plus for iPhone is designed to work in WIFI:
“The AMC+ dual mode function will setup the call over internet when you are in range of Wi-Fi access and in that way drastically reduce the mobile calling cost…”
Source: click here
"customers will benefit from the same rates using the app over Wi-Fi"
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/converg/2011/110711convergence2.html
“Bria iPhone Edition is a SIP-based phone for Apple iPhone and iPod touch that uses a Wi-Fi or 3G connection to make and receive calls.”
Do note the Counterpath disclaimer related to mobile operators terms of service:
“*IMPORTANT: VOIP OVER 3G NOTICE*
Some mobile network operators may prohibit or restrict the use of VoIP functionality over their network and may also impose additional fees, or other charges in connection with VoIP. You agree to learn and abide by your cellular carrier's network restrictions. CounterPath Corporation will not be held liable for any charges, fees or liability imposed by your carrier for use of VoIP over 3G.”
Source: click here
Source: http://www.counterpath.com/bria-iphone-edition.html
“…Moreover, damaka’s technology works across networks (WiFi, 3G, 4G). “
Source: http://damaka.com/damaka/
Some More articles that might be of interest:
Cisco says Call Back is not UC
why Outside Voice makes sense
Cisco Jabber Android Release Notes
If you’re trying to figure out if that bug-a-boo in one of the Lync Mobile clients is you having a bad day or a real issue, check out this document.
Read PDF Right now:
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=5c8e78952c32af95&id=5C8E78952C32AF95%211010
Or download the MHT file from Microsoft Download:
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/confirmation.aspx?id=28549
** This article is in progress and may be updated. **
Looks like Android is #2 to be released after Windows Phone with iOS versions still coming. According to a Technet article released earlier this week, Lync Mobile for Android will have a few less features than Windows Phone, iPhone and iPad in the area of Telephony Support. To see the complete list of features click here. (especially telephony support section, as shown below)
Looks like Microsoft has designed a very nice and clean interface for the Android version of Lync Mobile. Just like on Lync for WindowsPhone, on login you may need to type username for successful login. My Android toting colleagues are reporting the Android Lync Mobile client UI is a smooth and pleasant experience. Also, Lync notifications are received even if the Lync Mobile app is not running since Lync utilizes Android “Background Data” feature.
Get it here:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.microsoft.office.lync
See screenshots below.
Settings
Contacts List
Contact Card
Instant Message
Dialer screen. (Lync for Android does not call as work but will call #’s directly)
Handling multiple chats screen
Android device Sync Settings
screen
screen
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