Update on Lotus Notes Traveler for Android

August 27 2010

Now that Notes/Domino 8.5.2 is out, a few questions have trickled in about the status of the Notes Traveler client for Android.

To refresh, we announced at Lotusphere that we would build our own Notes Traveler client for the Android 2.x OS -- supporting mail, calendar, contacts.  We knew that the Android OS would evolve to have some of these capabilities in the base OS, but enterprise calendaring and other features just aren't there; plus, different devices using Android use different sets of capabilities, so we can't always assume that the OS will provide what we need.  For example, we will have the best experience with the 2.2 operating system -- versions prior to that have no ability for us to implement a remote wipe security feature or password enforcement.

We entered beta about 75 days ago, and progress is good.  The plan is to ship somewhere in mid-Q4, as part of an 8.5.2 fixpack.  The Traveler server will need to be 8.5.2 in order to support the Android client as well.
Image:Update on Lotus Notes Traveler for Android
If you are interested in participating in the beta, and have access to a Traveler 8.5.2 server (does not require all Domino servers to be upgraded, just the Traveler server), follow this link to self-nominate.

Ed Brill | Highland Park, IL USA Category:  Notes and Domino 8.5  Add/View Comments [30]

Post a Comment

  1. 1  Ben Rose http://www.jaffacake.net | 8/27/2010 8:21:18 AM

    "For example, we will have the best experience with the 2.2 operating system -- versions prior to that have no ability for us to implement a remote wipe security feature or password enforcement. "

    I suggest your dev team look at the Android app Wavesecure. Unlike Traveler, it works on any Android OS I have ever used - it also supports remote wipe. You can even use it to locate a lost device.

    If other app developers can do it, why can't IBM?

  1. 2  Thomas McErlean http://twitter.com/tmcerlean | 8/27/2010 8:22:20 AM

    I know this post is about Andriod Support (sorry Ed), but I also notice that Nokia have announced that their upcoming Nokia N8 device which will run their new Symbian^3 OS will also support Lotus Notes Traveler.

    { Link }

    Fantastic mobile platform choice with Traveler.

  1. 3  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 8/27/2010 9:30:47 AM

    @1 because it's not our goal to redevelop base OS services that are orthogonal to what we build. It's one thing for us to build our own UI for mail/calendar even though some of those elements may be in the base OS; we do this because we want a Notes-consistent experience and to implement features that we know Notes users want. But these security features are in the OS now, so we'll take 'em from there rather than reinvent them.

    (Wavesecure also requires you to connect to their server in order to get those features)

  1. 4  Jens Bruntt http://www.jens.bruntt.dk | 8/27/2010 9:43:03 AM

    I'm using the Code Drop 1A Android Traveler client with my Motorola Milestone.

    Looks like it will end up as a nice set of apps.

    You don't mention ToDo, but in the current Code Drop there are traces of ToDo. I hope the developers will include ToDos.

  1. 5  Ben Rose http://www.jaffacake.net | 8/27/2010 10:34:10 AM

    @3 - For mail, I agree it makes sense to have your own UI and keeping a separate mailbox on the device makes a lot of sense - especially when different branded Android phones using a different default mail client.

    For calendar though, I disagree. My Android calendar works exceptionally well, displaying my own diary (currently synced with Lotus Notes over a cable) and additional Google diaries which give me public holidays and my wife's diary. I expected Traveler to plug into the same app and display on the same diary pages. If my Traveler diary and other diaries are going to display on different screens, it would be very impractical.

    As you intend to take these "security features" from the OS, can we now assume that Android OS 2.2 may be required for the Gold release of Traveler? If so, please tell us now as it will exclude another set of handsets from the picture.

    I'm aware of the requirements for Wavesecure, I'm a customer. I wasn't suggesting you use Wavesecure, merely explaining that they manage to remote-wipe a device without much trouble on the older OS devices.

    I've just posted a long "first impressions" post in the beta forum. Hopefully my feedback will be of value.

  1. 6  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 8/27/2010 11:31:41 AM

    @5, no, all 2.x releases are supported, but some of the features only work with 2.2

  1. 7  Ben Rose http://www.jaffacake.net | 8/27/2010 11:47:39 AM

    e.g. security? As that's an essential for most corporates, can we clarify this now and save me considerable testing time?

  1. 8  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 8/27/2010 2:30:51 PM

    The remote wipe and password enforcement are dependent on features of the Android 2.2 OS.

  1. 9  Ben Rose http://www.jaffacake.net | 8/27/2010 4:08:22 PM

    Thanks

  1. 10  Kalyan  | 8/28/2010 2:18:26 AM

    Are there any ideas to support Maemo platform also which is a linux variant on Nokia n900. Thanks

  1. 11  Craig Wiseman http://www.wiseman.la/cpw | 8/29/2010 10:20:45 AM

    I'm very excited to see this launch.

    I am somewhat concerned, however. The expectations for the mobile world are much higher than the 'enterprise world'. By this, I mean rapid releases, quick new device support, and software that works out of the box without requiring users to endlessly fiddle to make it work.

    I hope IBM's taken that to heart in the planning and staffing of the client for Android.

    The Traveler product(s) (IMHO) has/have been the best example in IBM's portfolio of that "software that just works". Really really hope to see this continue.

  1. 12  Bryan Lue  | 8/29/2010 11:35:42 AM

    Any plans to support Windows Phone 7 or would it have the same sync function as the iPhone which appears to you use Activesync with traveler.

  1. 13  Kevin Mort  | 8/30/2010 10:34:38 AM

    So idea was that Android 2.2 was supposed to greatly enhance ActiveSync support to Exchange, much in the way it works with iPhone.

    Honestly at least with my EVO, the core mail & cal services on the device have been able to perfectly sync with a corporate Exchange account via ActiveSync over the air since day 1 on Android 2.1.

    Outside of remote wipe and passwords, in terms of mail & calendar I think Android 2.1 or 2.2 is enterprise capable out of the box.

    The more platforms we can use that don't require BlackBerry to be involved, especially with their apparent increasing lack of interest in playing ball with the Lotus community (as in no Express version), the better off we'll be and honestly the more features we can have.

  1. 14  Jorge Delgado-Lopez  | 9/2/2010 10:39:57 AM

    Hi Ed.

    We have a couple of large customers that need to remote bootstrap traveler on 2.2 devices using our tool, it works very well on the Symbian platform. Any information on remotely bootstraping for the android app?

  1. 15  Paul Harper  | 9/5/2010 9:37:00 AM

    Are there any plans to support Maemo or Meego? I personally would have bought an N900 except for the fact that there is no Lotus Traveller support at this time. As Maemo is dying it might make sense to begin developing on Meego.

  1. 16  Yoshihiro Kamoshita http://www.ibm.com/blogs/kamoshi/ | 9/5/2010 8:41:28 PM

    Hi, Ed

    How about iNotes ultralite access by android 2.2?

    NOT support on Domino8.5.2? or needs fixpack?

    { Link }

  1. 17  Trevor Wilson  | 9/7/2010 3:12:32 PM

    Hi Ed

    I've heard that there is a forum for the beta android client. I'm already on the beta but cannot find the link to the forum. I was hoping you could provide.

    Thanks

  1. 18  Kris Goschen  | 9/27/2010 10:36:30 AM

    Ed, I have a new Droid Incredible. I am trying to sync it with LN via USB cable. Is there a way I can do it without buying teh $70 CompanionLink softeware.

    I work for big brother and our firewall issues preclude me from using the internet. I currently have a Blackberry and sync via USB through Blackberry Desktop Manager.

    I need help fast.

  1. 19  Andrew Hellwig http://n/a | 9/28/2010 1:22:40 PM

    I personally have the HTC Incredible that I upgraded to 2.2

    I happened to try out Lotus Notes Launcher from the Android Market. It seemed to work right away, also on the Moto Droid. Had trouble getting it working with Samsung Moment or Fascinate.

    I did this before stumbling on the news IBM is working on supporting Android 2.x with Traveler, which is great news. Perhaps the Samsung Android devices can be validated too? Looking forward to the release.

    Andrew

  1. 20  Ron Gordon  | 9/28/2010 10:47:30 PM

    I have a new Verizon ALLy with Android 2.1 I had to upgrade my dying Palm700P that did perfect sync with Corporate Notes. Is there even A beta I can use to bring my Android up to a corporate contact and calendaring etc notes sync tool ?

  1. 21  Olaf Hinck  | 9/30/2010 9:57:08 AM

    Hi Ed,

    is there a way to get the BETA client for Android? I submitted self-nominate form 2 weeks ago and haven't got any response yet.

    Traveler Server 8.5.2 is running and everything is fine, but we need to test different device types because we have to decide which will be the new standard phone for our company.

    I have seen other posts in Notes/Domino 8.5 Forum, saying that they haven't got any response too. It is a little bit frustrating...

    Thanks for your help!!!

  1. 22  Ralph  | 11/17/2010 1:29:26 AM

    Hi Ed,

    I've also enrolled with the beta program, no feedback.

    Could this mean the final release will hit us soon? Mid Q4 and November 17 do sound a lot alike to me :-).

    We are also on 8.5.2, and in need of the Android client to validate Android as a platform.

    Appreciate keeping us posted.

  1. 23  Erwin  | 11/19/2010 9:58:45 AM

    Hi Ed,

    I have installed the beta version on my Samsung Galaxy S, but it keeps telling me it can't find the server on port 80. it does work on other Android phones though...

    Do you have any idea wht might cause this?

  1. 24  Suleyman  | 11/22/2010 2:31:53 PM

    Hello Ed,

    Does the beta version of LN client work with Samsung Galaxy Tablet? It has Android 2.2 OS.

    Thanks,

  1. 25  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 11/22/2010 3:15:24 PM

    Yes, it runs on Samsung Galaxy.

  1. 26  Tamer  | 11/25/2010 3:08:14 PM

    Hı Guys,

    I need your guiding about business phone model in compliance with "Lotus Notes Traveller" support.

    Is there a list or can you advise from "Samsung" or "Nokia" or "Blackbbery" models with touchscreen.

    I do not want to amek a mistake and purchase a model without traveller support.Your advise will be appreciated.

  1. 27  Uwe Sartorius http://www.amag.ch | 12/1/2010 3:19:42 AM

    a couple of days ago i've selfnominated for beeing part of the adroid beta.... but till today no one has recognized my request... a feel blue ;-)