Nook Tablet Exchange E-mail App

[Eustace2]

I'm not sure where this should go, so feel free to move it.

What is B&N's plan to provide a functional and supported Exchange e-mail app for the NT?  I have tried using Touch Down on the NT and it simply does not function.  I use Touch Down on other Andriod devices without issue.  When I contacted NtiroDesk tech support about fixing the NT issues, I was told:

"We will not have an update coming on that market and in fact  the program will no longer be sold on that market as B&N would not allow us to post fixes. As we cannot be responsive to our customers in that environment, the devices are no longer supported."

The NT is probably the best hardware for the price in the 7 inch tablet market.  But, it cannot be my everyday device if I can't use it to access my work e-mail, calendar and contacts. 

I have commented elsewhere about B&N's decision to prohibit sideloading apps. I understand their policy and I disagree with it (like B&N cares about my opinion). In this case, the problem is made worse by the fact that B&N stripped the native Exchange e-mail capablilities out of the Android code.  Presumably they did this so that they could sell an Exchange e-mail app.  But, what we have is no native Exchange mail and no good app options.

Has anyone found a good alternative for Exchange mail on the NT?  B&N, do you have a plan?

[DanFL]

I know your feelings... Starting last Jan. 2012 I contacted BN Customer Service with that same question, and they did not even know what I was taking about or have any answers. Sooo, I contacted Nitro-Desk and was lucky enough for the developer to see my e-mail and he contacted me. He told me that there was a version 7 shipped to BN, and that it was on their web-site. He knew we would not be able to download it from their web-site only the BN market due to the server restrictions BN put on the owners of Nooks in general. A month or so later not having heard anything, I contacted him again & I was told that BN had made changes to the BN market and wanted it modified which was done. It was then sent back to BN for their approval, and for it to be placed on the BN market as a free app. That was last Feb. / Early March 2012, and I have not heard a thing from nobody with the exception of this post... I agree we need an MS Exchange Server mail client they have their own mail client but Exchange does not work with the Nook....

Alex @BN anything you can find out or do on this matter would be greatly appreciated...

[Eustace2]

Alex, let us know what you find out.  I have looked at a bunch of 7 inch tablets and the NT is the best I have found.  I even like the display better than the new iPad.  Though, to make it fully functional, I am running it with CM7 on a SD card rather than using the native OS.  If B&N would give us Exchange compatability in the e-mail app and location services, I could probably live with the limited app selection until the apps begin to catch up. 

Thanks for your help.

David

[jelabarre59]

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....B&N, do you have a plan?

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Yeah, their plan is to gouge the customer for everything they have, then gouge them some more, and customer service be damned.  If there happens to be anything useful or beneficial to the customer, that can be attributed to dumb luck, and is likely scheduled for removal in the next update.

[bobstro]

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Eustace2 wrote:

[...] Has anyone found a good alternative for Exchange mail on the NT?  B&N, do you have a plan?

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B&N clearly doesn't care if they won't let a willing developer update their program. This is a new low, even for the B&N Market.

You owe B&N nothing. If you want to run the B&N firmware, I'd suggest rooting it and installing Enhanced Email from the Google Play Store. It is an outstanding program that can work well with Exchange, including working with (or around) server-imposed security settings. It also imports Exchange contacts and calendar into the native Android apps, so your work data shows up alongside your other data.

I'd also recommend Enhanced Email if you're running CM or other alternate firmware.

MailDroid also works with Exchange well, but lacks the calendar and contact integration.

[Eustace2]

@Bobstro

As you can tell from my signature line, I am running CM7 on the NT from a micro
SD card and using Touch Down.  I like CM7, but it has some bugs still and I would like to use the NT stock.  But, access to my work PIM is an essential for any  device I use all the time. 

[bobstro]

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Eustace2 wrote:

[...] I like CM7, but it has some bugs still and I would like to use the NT stock.  But, access to my work PIM is an essential for any  device I use all the time. 

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In that case, rooting the B&N firmware is probably the way to go. I stuck it out with B&N's firmware for many months, and was able to find good solutions once I rooted. Enhanced Email works very well for the specific scenario you're describing. You do lose out on Outlook Tasks, however. I've gone over to using Astrid myself.

[BN_AlexG Administrator]

Hi Eustace2,

I'm sorry for the trouble you've experienced with this app. I'll be more than happy to assist in any way I can.

When you say it doesn't function, what exactly is happening?

- Alex

[Eustace2]

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BN_AlexG wrote:

Hi Eustace2,

I'm sorry for the trouble you've experienced with this app. I'll be more than happy to assist in any way I can.

When you say it doesn't function, what exactly is happening?

- Alex

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Alex, thanks for your reply. This app has had display issues on the NT since version 1.4.0 that continue to version 1.4.2.  First, in 1.4.0, there was an issue with white text in white dialog boxes.  Now, that seems to be fixed but in version 1.4.2 there are still white-outs on the tabs and in some screens.  Also, the version of the app in the B&N Market is 6.X and the current version is 7.X.

The issue, according to the developer, is that the developer is not permitted to provide fixes and upgrades.  That doesn't make sense to me, but I quoted the developer's e-mail in my OP.  I know that there are always two sides to a story, so I am not blaming B&N alone for the problems with Touch Down.  But, what I would like to see from B&N is a viable option for accessing my Exchange mail, contacts, and calendar.

Thanks,

David

[Eustace2 · Accepted solution]

In fairness to B&N, I need to report that the TouchDown app update has been posted and it has addressed the issues I raised in my OP.  For those who may read this thread, Touch Down is the most full featured Exchange app that I have found and the only Exchange app available for the unrooted Nook Tablet.

Thanks, Alex, for your help.

[vtboarder]

Hi, I would add that the new Outlook Web App, if supported by your Exchange install, works in the Nook Tablet browser. We just upgraded our Exchange server overnight, and I was pleasantly surprised that it is supported, at least in the light version of the new OWA. Not bad, and an easy way to remain connected with a portable device that has a screen that is readable.

Bob

[Eustace2]

@Bob.  Thanks for the information on the new OWA.  I like Touch Down because it gives me access to my information when I do not have WiFi available.  I will try the OWA too.