Mobile phone giant Nokia has launched a new version of its e-mail client for business customers using Microsoft's Exchange mail server.
Mail for Exchange 2.0 is available immediately, and according to Nokia the new client improves the user experience and offers access to popular Microsoft Exchange Server features, such as meeting request handling and directory look-up, on a mobile device.
Mail for Exchange 2.0 uses the Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync protocol, which Nokia signed up back in 2005.
The new e-mail software client is available on Nokia's E series range of handsets, namely the Nokia E50, E60, E61, E61i, E65, E70, and E90 Communicator. It is also available on selected Nokia N series devices, including the Nokia N73, N76, N80, and the hugely popular N95.
For those with an E series handset, the application can be downloaded free-of-charge direct from their devices through the Download! application. Alternatively, Nokia customers with a compatible handset can also download the client from here.
The new Nokia client is backward compatible and can work with Exchange Server 2003 and 2007, and Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003. It allows for remote access to Microsoft Exchange Server features, such as management of inbox, calendar, contacts, and meeting requests on Nokia E Series devices. It also includes the ability for full attachments handling.
Nokia said that its Mail for Exchange also included support for Nokia Intellisync Mobile Suite, Lotus Domino, Novell GroupWise, and consumer e-mail products such as Yahoo, Hotmail, and Gmail.
And Redmond was keen to put its seal of approval on the new Nokia client.
"With the release of Mail for Exchange 2.0, owners of Nokia E series and Nokia N series phones can stay productive on the go with these new Exchange mobility features, including remote corporate address books, the ability to accept and reject meeting invitations and other improvements," said Jeff Ressler, director for Microsoft Exchange.
For wide scale company deployments, IT departments can use Nokia Intellisync Device Management to remotely provision the client over-the-air to employees, along with the necessary server connection and user credential settings.
