Only hours after the RTM of ActiveSync 4.0, and its appearance on the Internet, a rapidly growing disquiet is brewing within the Windows CE mobile device community.

ActiveSync 4.0 has been revamped and to the dismay of many a user out there, lacks any remote synchronisation support. This includes Wired LAN, WiFi, VPN as well as the less common RADIUS and DUN dial-up authentication.

While wireless synchronisation support is maintained through the use of ActiveSync server technologies present in the likes of Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, for the end user there is no way around it.
We here at HPC:Factor, along with others have speculated that this could be down to a new synchronisation method in the Windows CE 5.0 based Windows Mobile 5.0. It has emerged through in the last few hours, through a MSDN article that this is now looking less and less likely.

"...enhancements are the result of stringent security reviews and serve to better protect you, your device, data, and desktop computer. One key security change is the removal of remote synchronization. In previous versions, remote synchronization allowed a device to synchronize by using a WiFi connection. After being reviewed, it was determined that this feature did not provide adequate security and has been removed."

A very blunt answer to what we are sure is just beginning to become an issue within all sectors of the various communities that form to make the Windows CE Internet backbone. We will keep you apprised of any new developments.

View: What's New for Developers in Windows Mobile 5.0