Exchange Activesync protocols now open

A further sign of Microsoft’s commitment towards being more open is that the protocols for Exchange Activesync (EAS) have now been published to the public (previously they were only available to licensees).

EAS is already built into pretty much every major smartphone/PDA out there – but now that it is open I’m sure we will see some innovative and creative apps/tools from the developer community.

Documentation of the EAS protocols is available at https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc307725.aspx

From the press release:

REDMOND, Wash. — Dec. 18, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. today announced it is expanding its Exchange ActiveSync Intellectual Property (IP) Licensing program, facilitated by Version 1.0 releases of technical documentation for protocols built into Exchange ActiveSync, which Microsoft posted on the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) earlier this month. The posting of this documentation completes the set of Exchange ActiveSync protocols Microsoft committed to publish as part of its Interoperability Principles announced in February 2008 ( https://www.microsoft.com/interop/principles/default.mspx ).

“The Exchange ActiveSync IP Licensing program is another example of how we are continuing to deliver on our commitment to increased openness and collaboration,” said Horacio Gutierrez, vice president of intellectual property and licensing at Microsoft. “This technology is being sought out by our partners and competitors alike because it enhances their value proposition to their customers, and we believe that to be a testament to the innovation taking place at Microsoft.”