Funambol has released what it claims to be the first open source push email software for carriers and enterprises. The dual-licensed Funambol v3 server supports a wide range of mobile handhelds, including embedded Linux devices that support OMA DM/DS (formerly known as SyncML).

Funambol's push email package implements the Open Mobile Alliance's Device Management/Device Synchronization (OMA DM/DS) standards, formerly known as SyncML. According to industry analyst data cited by Funabol, more than 75 percent of new mobile handsets sold worldwide support SyncML.

Funambol says its push email software provides send, receive, and forward functions, and allows users to open attachments, check email on- and off-line, and accept or decline meeting requests. The package also provides “standard” over-the-air synchronization of calendars, to-do lists, contacts, and other PIM (personal information management) data, the company adds. Other touted features include support for Exchange, Domino, IMAP, and POP email servers; use of the mobile device's pre-loaded email client or a WAP browser; and end-to-end 128-bit SSL encryption.

Funambol CEO Fabrizio Capobianco stated, “Open source software and standards will accelerate mobile email deployments, increase revenue opportunities for carriers, and give enterprises more flexibility. We believe that mobile email will quickly become a commodity, so open source is the natural approach to this market place.”

Pricing and Availability

The Funambol v3 server is available now under the GNU GPL. A commercially licensed version is also available, and adds broader platform support, intellectual property protections, commercial license terms, and support, according to the company.

Additionally, the v3 server is offered in a choice of carrier and enterprise editions, and its components can be licensed separately, Funambol said.

A beta version Funambol v3 can be downloaded for evaluation purposes, here.

 
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