Alternatives to FastMail

dtg · 8 Feb 2011, 11:13 PM

I really like FastMail. However, I need to use an iPhone and need "push" email. FastMail uses IMAP IDLE for push email which the iPhone email client does not support (very frustrating). So I need to look at other providers that provide the same functions as FastMail but support Active Sync.

The number one feature I like with FastMail and need to find somewhere else is the ability to send email out from any of my SMTP accounts. All other providers I have tried send email out "on behalf of" the master account. Since I have several accounts over different domains when I sent email out from "myemail@xyz.com" I want it to be shown as from myemail@xyz.com and no other email account.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

- dtg

Pfolson · 8 Feb 2011, 11:52 PM

Gmail no longer uses the "on behalf of," provided you send mail through another provider's SMTP server. I don't remember all the "ins and outs" of how this works, but it's there in the Gmail settings somewhere. Or just wait a few minutes. I'm sure somebody else will chime in here and fill in the blanks.

I'm a little curious why you absolutely need push, as opposed to just polling for new mail every few minutes. I have a hard time imagining any e-mail being so critical that delivery can't wait two or three minutes. But enough people ask for this, so I assume it's important. For my own edification, I'd just like to know what some of the use cases are.

Paul

dtg · 9 Feb 2011, 12:22 AM

About a year back I tried google apps for domains and they said that they did not sent "on behalf" anymore. After setting things up it turned out that they did indeed still do this even though I had authenticated my SMTP servers. Perhaps this was only an issue through Google Apps for Domains.

On my iPhone the most frequent check mail option I can set is 15 minutes. Push email makes a big difference, in that I can respond to that email 15 minutes quicker. This can be important when dealing with clients.

Pfolson · 9 Feb 2011, 12:49 AM

Well, 15 minutes is definitely a long polling interval. I can see why you need something faster.

I'm not sure what's going on with Gmail and "on behalf of." I use Google Apps for my domain, and I haven't had that problem since setting up another SMTP server. As I said, perhaps someone with a little more knowledge/experience will weigh in with an answer or a good alternative for you.

Paul

NJSS · 9 Feb 2011, 01:17 AM

Quote:

FastMail uses IMAP IDLE for push email which the iPhone email client does not support

I think you have answered your own question - change the iPhone, or get a better email client for the iPhone, don't ditch FastMail.

I use IMAP IDLE on my Nokia & I get instant notification of e-mails.

Surely there must be an alternative email client for the iPhone?

NJSS

dtg · 9 Feb 2011, 01:17 AM

Hi Paul,

Do you use multiple domains when using Google Apps for domains? Perhaps it is time I revisited Google Apps.

- dtg

dtg · 9 Feb 2011, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJSS

I think you have answered your own question - change the iPhone, or get a better email client for the iPhone, don't ditch FastMail.
NJSS

I wish there was. I have looked but have been unable to find anything. I don't want to ditch the iPhone over this issue. I like it for too many other reasons.

- dtg

Pfolson · 9 Feb 2011, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtg

Do you use multiple domains when using Google Apps for domains? Perhaps it is time I revisited Google Apps.

I have just one Google Apps account for my personal domain, but when I use it, I'm fetching e-mail (and sending out mail) from three personal addresses and one business address. Seems to work fine.

In all honesty, though, I don't use that account for much more than back-up these days.

Paul

soromak · 9 Feb 2011, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtg

I really like FastMail. However, I need to use an iPhone and need "push" email. FastMail uses IMAP IDLE for push email which the iPhone email client does not support (very frustrating). So I need to look at other providers that provide the same functions as FastMail but support Active Sync.

The number one feature I like with FastMail and need to find somewhere else is the ability to send email out from any of my SMTP accounts. All other providers I have tried send email out "on behalf of" the master account. Since I have several accounts over different domains when I sent email out from "myemail@xyz.com" I want it to be shown as from myemail@xyz.com and no other email account.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

- dtg

Why not to look at Polarismail? With its advanced interface it supports ActiveSync, SyncML and other stuff and it's competitively priced. Not sure if you can use any FROM: address but you can setup other imap e-mail accounts within this interface...

dtg · 9 Feb 2011, 02:02 AM

I have never heard of PolarisMail. Does it have a good reputation? I tried to access their demo webmail site but I got an error when trying to login.

- Derek

soromak · 9 Feb 2011, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtg

I have never heard of PolarisMail. Does it have a good reputation? I tried to access their demo webmail site but I got an error when trying to login.

- Derek

Just use search option of the EMD forum. There are reviews of their service and plenty of comments and their rep George_B that regularly posts on this forums. I find them very reliable.

AlexMorris · 9 Feb 2011, 02:14 AM

Apparently ibisMail - http://ibis.ne.jp/en/products/ibisMail_iPhone/ - now includes IMAP IDLE support, from v2.6.0 onwards. Would that help?

George_B · 9 Feb 2011, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtg

I really like FastMail. However, I need to use an iPhone and need "push" email. FastMail uses IMAP IDLE for push email which the iPhone email client does not support (very frustrating). So I need to look at other providers that provide the same functions as FastMail but support Active Sync.

The number one feature I like with FastMail and need to find somewhere else is the ability to send email out from any of my SMTP accounts. All other providers I have tried send email out "on behalf of" the master account. Since I have several accounts over different domains when I sent email out from "myemail@xyz.com" I want it to be shown as from myemail@xyz.com and no other email account.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

- dtg

Hi there.

Sorry about that demo not working - we are in the process of redesigning our website.

In any case, the demo interface you should look at is the following:

URL: http://office.polarismail.net
Username: demo@polarismail.net
Password: demo

It supports multiple IMAP accounts ( with different From fields ), 10GB of storage and native Exchange support for the iPhone through Activesync.

placebo · 9 Feb 2011, 09:24 AM

I haven't tried this, but PushMail might be the app you want for your iPhone.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pushm...24271854?mt=8#

wsb · 9 Feb 2011, 10:29 AM

You can use an Android phone, which gives you push options of both Gmail or Hotmail using ActiveSync. You can also use Google Apps for your domain, which provides push.

8 Feb 2011, 11:13 PM	#1
dtg Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 26	Alternatives to FastMail I really like FastMail. However, I need to use an iPhone and need "push" email. FastMail uses IMAP IDLE for push email which the iPhone email client does not support (very frustrating). So I need to look at other providers that provide the same functions as FastMail but support Active Sync. The number one feature I like with FastMail and need to find somewhere else is the ability to send email out from any of my SMTP accounts. All other providers I have tried send email out "on behalf of" the master account. Since I have several accounts over different domains when I sent email out from "myemail@xyz.com" I want it to be shown as from myemail@xyz.com and no other email account. Any thoughts? Thanks. - dtg

8 Feb 2011, 11:52 PM	#2
Pfolson Essential Contributor Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 490	Gmail no longer uses the "on behalf of," provided you send mail through another provider's SMTP server. I don't remember all the "ins and outs" of how this works, but it's there in the Gmail settings somewhere. Or just wait a few minutes. I'm sure somebody else will chime in here and fill in the blanks. I'm a little curious why you absolutely need push, as opposed to just polling for new mail every few minutes. I have a hard time imagining any e-mail being so critical that delivery can't wait two or three minutes. But enough people ask for this, so I assume it's important. For my own edification, I'd just like to know what some of the use cases are. Paul

9 Feb 2011, 12:22 AM	#3
dtg Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 26	About a year back I tried google apps for domains and they said that they did not sent "on behalf" anymore. After setting things up it turned out that they did indeed still do this even though I had authenticated my SMTP servers. Perhaps this was only an issue through Google Apps for Domains. On my iPhone the most frequent check mail option I can set is 15 minutes. Push email makes a big difference, in that I can respond to that email 15 minutes quicker. This can be important when dealing with clients.

9 Feb 2011, 12:49 AM	#4
Pfolson Essential Contributor Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 490	Well, 15 minutes is definitely a long polling interval. I can see why you need something faster. I'm not sure what's going on with Gmail and "on behalf of." I use Google Apps for my domain, and I haven't had that problem since setting up another SMTP server. As I said, perhaps someone with a little more knowledge/experience will weigh in with an answer or a good alternative for you. Paul

9 Feb 2011, 01:17 AM	#6
dtg Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 26	Hi Paul, Do you use multiple domains when using Google Apps for domains? Perhaps it is time I revisited Google Apps. - dtg

9 Feb 2011, 02:02 AM	#10
dtg Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 26	I have never heard of PolarisMail. Does it have a good reputation? I tried to access their demo webmail site but I got an error when trying to login. - Derek

9 Feb 2011, 02:14 AM	#12
AlexMorris Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: England Posts: 132	Apparently ibisMail - http://ibis.ne.jp/en/products/ibisMail_iPhone/ - now includes IMAP IDLE support, from v2.6.0 onwards. Would that help?

9 Feb 2011, 09:24 AM	#14
placebo Cornerstone of the Community Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 752	I haven't tried this, but PushMail might be the app you want for your iPhone. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pushm...24271854?mt=8#

9 Feb 2011, 10:29 AM	#15
wsb Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 42	You can use an Android phone, which gives you push options of both Gmail or Hotmail using ActiveSync. You can also use Google Apps for your domain, which provides push.