Lotus Notes Traveler for Android beta: some clarifications

June 18 2010

I've had a zillion questions about Lotus Notes Traveler for Android since we did the beta announcement on Wednesday.  Some FAQ:

Q) Where is the beta?
A) You must be nominated and accepted for this beta, it is not a public beta (at least not yet).  If you are interested in participating in the beta, please nominate yourself here (link fixed).  Not all nominations will be accepted, but we will add more over time.

Q) What do I need to run Notes Traveler for Android?
A) You need to have a Notes Traveler beta server, running the 8.5.2 beta.  Then you need to install our Traveler for Android client from that server -- it's a simple point and click process.  The point, though, is you can't test this beta just with an Android device -- you need a Traveler server running the beta as well.

Q) When will Notes Traveler for Android ship?
A) Later in 2010 when we finish the feature work and do all the engineering around reliability and stability on the beta.  To be crystal clear, Notes Traveler for Android is not part of Notes/Domino 8.5.2.  It will release after ND 8.5.2.

Q) Why does this only support the Android 2.x OS?
A) We made the decision to do 2.x mainly because it is the OS in the majority of Android devices in market today, and certainly will be moreso by the time we ship.  Additionally, we make use of several 2.x-specific API calls, and they are not backward compatible.  The 2.x operating system is more standardized in UI and other factors.  Last, testing multiple operating system levels is expensive, especially given the diversity of Android device application implementations.

Q) What was the reaction to the beta announcement?
A) Great!  I talked with several analysts and reporters during our mobility day in Littleton on Wednesday and they liked everything they saw - both in terms of Notes Traveler, Lotus mobility overall, and our research projects.

Ed Brill | Highland Park, IL USA Category:  notesdomino lotusnotes 8.5 lotus  Add/View Comments [72]

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  1. 1  Mitch Cohen http://www.curiousmitch.com | 6/18/2010 10:18:51 AM

    Ed - thanks for the clarifications, I think you made the right decision supporting 2.0+, important to draw a line somewhere and get this developed and out to market. I am really enjoying using Traveler on my Droid. Congrats on getting to this point, and looking forward to when it ships.

  1. 2  Dennis Heinle  | 6/18/2010 10:33:13 AM

    Is that the correct link to nominate yourself for the Beta? I don't see anywhere to sign up for the beta. We have some Incredible's that we would like to test on.

  1. 3  Edgar Loxton http://www.allangray.co.za | 6/18/2010 10:34:29 AM

    Am dead keen to participate in the beta. Couldn't see where to nominate myself on the collaborationmatters.com link you posted. Please help

  1. 4  Ben Rose http://www.jaffacake.net | 6/18/2010 10:34:30 AM

    The nomination link doesn't work.

    Still very disappointed with the lack of 1.x support. Given the amount of varied apps for supermarkets (e.g. Ocado) and music providers (like Spotify)that have complex databases with remote sync, shopping baskets lookups etc. and manage it all using APIs that have no requirement for 2.x at all.

    These apps make Mail/Calendar look like child's play so I just don't get why Traveler can't manage it.

  1. 5  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 6/18/2010 10:36:30 AM

    OK, OK, wrong link, will fix in a moment

  1. 6  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 6/18/2010 10:54:58 AM

    @4 Ben, if we had started the project when 1.x was in market, we'd be having a different conversation. I assume those apps were available for 1.x in the first place?

  1. 7  Ben Rose http://www.jaffacake.net | 6/18/2010 11:03:28 AM

    OS 1.5/1.6 is still the standard OS for the majority of Android handsets available in the UK.

    I know the US market is very different, with the Motorola Droid, Nexus One and HTV Evo 4G accounting for a large proportion of Android handset sales but these models either don't exist or have only recently become available in the UK market leaving us with a limited choice of mainly 1.5/1.6 handsets with many providers.

    Most of the Android owners I know in the UK acquired there handset in 2010 and are tied into an 18-24month contract. They will be stuck with Android 1.x until the year 2012.

  1. 8  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 6/18/2010 11:31:14 AM

    Then it's a good thing that Wave Software is based in the UK. Seems like they will have a business opportunity for a while.

    { Link }

  1. 9  Ben Rose http://www.jaffacake.net | 6/18/2010 12:15:03 PM

    I'd buy a new handset before I licensed 3rd party software but, sadly, no budget for either. That's the beauty of Traveler, it's free with Notes and (usually) works with out existing phone handsets.

    Changing the subject slightly - As Traveler is free and will be running on an open source platform, any chance that IBM would consider open sourcing the code? That would be very popular in the Android community.

  1. 10  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 6/18/2010 12:19:03 PM

    @9 Traveler isn't technically "free", it's an included entitlement in your Domino Client Access License. We still treat it as IBM software that we develop and support. We also think in the long term we'd like to add functionality beyond mail/calendar/contacts. Don't see a plan to open source as a result.

  1. 11  Frank Paolino http://www.maysoft.com | 6/18/2010 12:32:20 PM

    The best part of Lotus Traveler in general is that I am free of only using a Blackberry. I have and iPad and the Lotus Notes email experience there is fantastic. And now I can finally order an iPhone (version 4 of course) when they are available.

    This is a really nice implementation of push technology for email. In fact, my iPad "beeps" alerting me to new email before my BB Storm "pings". Small, but it shows how well it is implemented.

  1. 12  norm van bergen  | 6/18/2010 12:45:02 PM

    Good stuff Ed - while our firm is firmly entrenched in BlackBerry, the fact that IBM/Lotus is embracing this sends a very good message.

  1. 13  Timothy Briley  | 6/18/2010 1:10:31 PM

    @7 - "Most of the Android owners I know in the UK acquired there handset in 2010 and are tied into an 18-24month contract. They will be stuck with Android 1.x until the year 2012."

    Can't they upgrade the version of Android? The HTC Hero was released with Android 1.5, but a few days ago Sprint released an upgrade to 2.1.

  1. 14  Tripp Black http://www.mindwatering.com | 6/18/2010 1:26:39 PM

    This is great!

    Thanks for the news.

    Tripp

  1. 15  Dennis Heinle  | 6/18/2010 1:38:35 PM

    There are other apps to make traveler work on Android 1.x. I am using Touchdown (Paid app) on my Incredible and it works great with Traveler 8.5.1 Also you can use software like mNotes as well. If the carrier doesn't release 2.x for your device you can usually root it :)

  1. 16  Ben Rose http://www.jaffacake.net | 6/19/2010 3:26:10 AM

    @13 - In many cases, no - not at all.

    Yes, you're correct, Sprint released an upgrade for the North American phone. Different handset, different code. We use a GSM version in Europe, the current release is still 1.5.

    Likewise with the HTC Tattoo, still a current handset and available from major carriers like Vodafone - current version is 1.6. As I understand it, there is already confirmation that Android 2.x will never be available for this handset.

    @15 - Dennis - Rooting a device and throwing on an unsupported 3rd party ROM with questionable legality is not an Enterprise solution. Handset manufacturers have even started handing out cease & desist orders to 3rd party ROM distributors this week.

  1. 17  Volker Weber http://vowe.net/about | 6/20/2010 12:23:13 PM

    @11 Frank, the irony is that this has been the experience for Exchange users all along. ;-)

  1. 18  Michael Falstrup http://www.intelliglobe.dk | 6/21/2010 3:35:33 AM

    One thing about Traveler i simply do not understand is the lack of implementation on LotusLive. We have customers in Denmark going MS, simply because Phone integration is not present as it is in BPOS (Microsoft Online Services) and Google as well.

    Why!!?? Traveler is free, why isn't it just Standard in LotusLive!!?? 2-3 click setup and you should be running!!? Why does IBM lack the small but obvious nifty features that actually makes the difference between customers keeping the platform or actually choosing the platform!!?? I'm puzzled!!

  1. 19  ed brill http://www.edbrill.com | 6/21/2010 8:01:31 AM

    @18 Traveler will be part of LotusLive Notes in Q3

  1. 20  Jesper H  | 6/21/2010 8:12:51 AM

    Another option for OS 1.x (and 2.x) phones: {{ Link }

  1. 21  Volker Weber http://vowe.net/about | 6/21/2010 10:21:15 AM

    Ed, is that LotusLive Notes only, or LotusLive iNotes as well?

  1. 22  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 6/21/2010 12:51:13 PM

    @21 in Q3 we are focusing on Traveler as a LotusLive Notes service. LL iNotes has IMAP IDLE support for now and we are looking to do more.

  1. 23  André Køpfli  | 6/22/2010 6:31:57 AM

    You Wrote:

    Notes Traveler for Android is not part of Notes/Domino 8.5.2. It will release after ND 8.5.2.

    But i am running Traveler on my HTC Desire, we did at testinstall from 8.5.2 CD5_Prod. Calender works, Contacts works, There is a problem with mail, they are all dated 1\1\1970, so you have to look around for new mail.

    Not all funktions are open yet, but it works ok, and it is fast.

    Client version is 8.5.2.0 BETA 20100616-1654

  1. 24  Craig Wiseman http://www.Wiseman.La/cpw | 6/23/2010 8:58:17 AM

    Now that iOS 4 is out and supports sync'ing Memos to ActiveSync accounts, can we expect Traveler to start supporting the Notebook/Journal from Notes on all mobile platforms?

  1. 25  Jeff Roseman  | 6/24/2010 5:02:48 PM

    Looking forward to seeing Traveler for Android.

    Think we will see Traveler for WebOS anytime soon? Set-up is nearly identical to an iPhone, just not officially supported.

  1. 26  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 6/25/2010 7:47:54 PM

    @23 the version number is the same but the client for Android will ship after 8.5.2 release.

    @24 Don't know yet. Good thought.

    @25 Not in plan right now. Hard enough to juggle the four OSs we are/will support to add a fifth.

  1. 27  Stig-Erik Halvorsen  | 6/28/2010 3:03:20 PM

    { Link }

  1. 28  Trey Harris  | 6/29/2010 9:48:29 AM

    Does Traveler 8.5.2 have the 1/1/1970 mail date problem for devices other than Androids? Will my iPhone users have this problem if I get to be a Beta tester?

  1. 29  Michael  | 7/1/2010 8:03:52 AM

    Any idea if and when this will be made available to IBM Internals too? TAP?

  1. 30  Mark Gottschalk  | 7/2/2010 1:29:54 PM

    @29 Trey Harris, I believe you are getting confused between Domino 8.5.2 (still in development) and the Traveler 8.5.2 Beta.

    Poster André Køpfli, whose post you refer to, was commenting on his experience with *Domino* 8.5.2 development release, NOT on the Traveler 8.5.2 Beta. With both having "8.5.2" in their name, the confusion is understandable.

    Carefully re-read his comment, and then look back at Ed Brill's comment regarding Android support in *Domino* 8.5.2 a bit further up the page.

  1. 31  Jens Krogh  | 7/6/2010 7:13:27 AM

    We are seeing the same problem as @23 on a HTC Desire with Android 2.1-update 1. Domino version is Build V852_05192010 and Lotus Traveler version is 8.5.2.0 Build 201005270930. Contacts and Calendar works fine, but all mails are dated 1/1/1970.

  1. 32  Jens Krogh  | 7/6/2010 8:36:05 AM

    Update.... The date format is working if we change the language on the phone to english before we install Traveler. After the installation we changed the language back (to danish), and it still works.

  1. 33  Steve Gorg  | 7/6/2010 2:38:33 PM

    @16 - Ben, there are 3rd party-developed roms for nearly every stock 1.x handset on the market, and most are widely tested. If one of these were tested and found to give acceptable performance, there is no reason it could not be an enterprise solution.

    Also, the cease-and-desist orders you spoke of were issued to 3rd party devs who were making STOCK OEM roms available for download, and did not pertain to their 3rd party roms at all. Android is, after all, an open-source OS. No problem developing a rom with an updated version for any phone, though in some cases carriers will require that handsets running such roms be set back to the stock version before carrying out maintenance or warranty work.

  1. 34  Joseph  | 7/23/2010 1:25:48 PM

    Any updates on how the beta development is going?

  1. 35  Brendin Harb  | 7/27/2010 11:19:26 AM

    I get a link to download the IBM Lotus Mobile Installer. But, it only lists Nokia series 60 and Windows Mobile Installer links.

    I'm in the managed beta and we're running 8.5.2.0 Build 201005270930

    Do I need a newer build for the Android Installer?

    Thanks--B

  1. 36  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 7/27/2010 3:38:08 PM

    the Android client beta is separate from the 8.5.2 beta.

  1. 37  Pat Egen http://www.egenconsulting.com | 7/28/2010 10:43:25 PM

    Ditto to @24 request for Journal sync to Androids.

  1. 38  Jorge Nino  | 7/29/2010 2:12:38 PM

    Can anyone help me with a link to download traveler beta (8.5.2) for ipad?

  1. 39  Richard HEck  | 7/30/2010 10:46:53 AM

    @38 why do you need 8.5.2? Traveler is avaialble from the iPad app store.

  1. 40  Tony Hollingsworth http://twitter.com/TaskExchange | 8/2/2010 5:44:42 AM

    Thrilled to report that we've installed the Traveler Android Beta here in Sydney, and it works a treat. I am running a Motorola Milestone/Droid on Android 2.1, and the Beta Lotus Traveler is fantastic.

    This is going to turn heads when I show people in my community here in Sydney. Android-powered Smartphones are very popular here.

    Thanks for sharing this Ed,

    Tony Hollingsworth

  1. 41  Hans  | 8/12/2010 6:35:26 AM

    Can you give some info if the Traveler server admin GUI will be changed in 8.5.2 ? I would like to see some console commands made available as menu functions (Delete user, Delete device etc..) and perhaps that the needed Console command access to the server was removed. Thanks. Hans Grunberg

  1. 42  Gibson  | 8/12/2010 10:28:53 AM

    Will Traveler 8.5.2 support Symbian on Sony Ericsson?

    If not, when is support for Sony Ericsson devices coming? One of our biggest ND clients has most of the senior executives on Sony Ericsson phones and are frustrated by not being able to use Traveler when their subordinates on Nokia & iPhone phones are able to.

    Thanks for any info that might help - even a work-around

  1. 43  Matt http://www.duprelogistics.com | 8/18/2010 2:46:30 PM

    How can I sign up for the Traveler beta? We already have the traveler in place for the iPhone but I would like to use it on my Android.

    Thanks.

  1. 44  Lawrence Micallef http://lcem.com | 8/24/2010 11:10:18 AM

    Now (24 Aug 2010) running Domino 8.5.2 + Traveler 8.5.2 - looks like Android not yet in this build. Any news when, or if the Android Traveler beta will be happy on Gold 8.5.2?

  1. 45  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 8/25/2010 8:29:44 AM

    expect the Android client for Notes Traveler to ship in a fixpack in Q4 2010.

  1. 46  Simon Peek  | 8/25/2010 9:27:37 AM

    Thanks for the update.

    *Orders an HTC Desire*

  1. 47  Nigel Dawson  | 8/25/2010 11:09:21 AM

    Traveler on Nokia & especially the iPhone have been a great success in my organisation and the release of Traveler for Android during Q4 is excellent news. We've already submitted a request to join the beta earlier this month but haven't had a response as yet. Hopefully we won't nee to wait as my management is eager to try this.

  1. 48  Miklos Pannonhalmi  | 8/26/2010 1:45:47 AM

    Hi!

    I would like to try Traveler beta, and Android Client. I have self nominate done it.

    Thanks.

  1. 49  Jimmy Bynum  | 8/28/2010 11:00:46 AM

    Will the beta for the android client work for the domino web access 7.0.3?

  1. 50  jef  | 8/31/2010 10:58:33 AM

    When may we expect a Symbian s60 v5 for Sony Ericsson Satio (U1)version of the Traveler Client? It is the same as for the Nokia Symbian phones.

  1. 51  Peter Rikard  | 9/2/2010 2:09:34 PM

    Is it October yet? Droid X owner with Traveller needs.

  1. 52  LMM  | 9/17/2010 3:48:44 PM

    Are there any updates as to when Notes Traveler for Android will ship? The last update I saw was later this year, but that was back in June. Is there any more recent update?

  1. 53  LMM  | 9/17/2010 3:54:38 PM

    Just looked further down and saw a post about Q4 2010 for the ship date and that was in August so I guess that is the latest news. I see that others are still waiting after nominating themselves. Has anyone had recent success with the nomination process and getting your hands on the beta version?

  1. 54  J. Johnson  | 9/28/2010 12:35:13 PM

    Just did the nomination process a few days ago (9/23). I have not heard back from the beta program yet. Anyone have an idea of the turnaround time, or am I too close to the release?

  1. 55  Randy Dunton  | 10/7/2010 12:25:00 PM

    I did the nomination process in August (8/3) and haven't heard anything either.

  1. 56  hector http://castlefamilyhealth.org | 10/12/2010 1:49:21 PM

    Do you have an updated release date for traveler to suppport Android Droid 2 OS?

  1. 57  marzel laning http://www.imtech.nl/is | 10/13/2010 6:56:05 AM

    @Ed(10) Actually the Traveler entitlement is in Domino server license, not the client access license. Thus you need to have the correct server license for entitlement { Link }

  1. 58  Abhay Bhargava  | 10/19/2010 1:43:11 AM

    @23 & @31 - can you advise where one can get the traveler client for android from ? I am keen to try but cant figure out how to get it. and oh the nomination didnt work

  1. 59  Neuf  | 10/20/2010 12:01:47 PM

    I've heard one can re-enable the link to the Beta client in the Gold 8.5.2 Traveller - is this true, and if so, can someone post instructions? I'd love to try that client out before release, since we're probably standardizing on Android hardware and the pressure for a decent mobile data option is building. Thanks!

  1. 60  Bertrand  | 10/22/2010 4:09:24 AM

    I suscribe to the IBM developper network, got the key... but can't find the link to download the beta client, can you help me ?

  1. 61  Tom Blais  | 11/3/2010 1:00:43 PM

    Hi Ed. Do you have an updated release date for Traveler for Android?

  1. 62  Tom Blais  | 11/3/2010 1:02:43 PM

    Or should I ask when the fixpack that will include the Android Client for Traveler will be released?

  1. 63  Niklas Ivarsson  | 11/12/2010 4:21:55 AM

    Hi there.

    Installation went as it should but have trouble when Andoid clients try to download the install files they got files not found as error. Is tehre any settings we need to update in where the links are pointing on the web page ?

    Rgds

    Niklas

  1. 64  Mike Roady  | 11/12/2010 6:32:45 PM

    I was running. Lotus notes traveler via inotes on an iphone until friday. Now I ditched the iphone

    And moved up to the droid x - will it just be configuration changes to get me

    Working with lotus notes on the droid?

  1. 65  Dan Hay http://Any Updates? | 11/17/2010 8:28:02 AM

    Hi Ed... any updates on the Droid/Q4 fixpack release?

  1. 66  Kevin Daly  | 11/23/2010 1:23:52 PM

    +1 on update on when the fixpack will ship.. Any ideas?

  1. 67  Will Swetnam  | 12/6/2010 2:03:57 PM

    Best info I can find:

    { Link }

    about 80% of the way down the page it reads:

    + + + + +

    Coming soon!

    Lotus Notes Traveler for the Android 2.x platform is in beta and is planned to ship before the end of the year as a Lotus Notes Traveler 8.5.2.1 fix pack. The fix pack will also include fixes for the Apple, Nokia and Windows Mobile platforms and will be available through the normal fix pack delivery process for Lotus Notes Traveler.

    + + + + +

    There was no specific on when the fix pack would be released.

    There is a live QnA on Traveler on the 8th of December, 2010:

    { Link }

    - Will

    - Will

  1. 68  Will Swetnam  | 12/6/2010 2:11:09 PM

    better info in another post in this blog - thanks Ed!

    - Will

    { Link }

  1. 69  Sirio Ross http://qigongvideo.com | 2/5/2011 11:14:56 AM

    Is the fix pack also available in Italian? Or is this an obvious question?

    When is it ready?

    Sirio Ross

  1. 70  DeAnne   | 2/18/2011 3:08:03 PM

    What is the proper config on the Droid to set up Lotus Notes email using Traveler? Do you set up "exchange" type of account? If so, can you explain how to correlate the Notes email settings to the 'Exchange Server settings' on the Droid? Or is there a help document on this? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

  1. 71  Frank  | 3/9/2011 3:30:52 PM

    Are their any plans to enable notes to sync contacts with google contacts? I have seen web articles detailing how to do this and they all seem rather involved.

  1. 72  Ishant Jain  | 9/21/2011 12:24:54 AM

    Can anyone tell me the link from where I can free download Lotus Installer.

    My server is not cooperating with me on this on my Androis handheld.

    Please help me .