Outlook.com Vs. Gmail

[PNutts]

I haven't seen it mentioned in this thread but the iPhone uses ActiveSync to access an Outlook.com account so it's very reliable.

OT: Outlook.com supports custom domains with up to 50 accounts for free.

 

[Primejimbo]

I personally dumped gmail for Yahoo and HUGE mistake so then I just said the heck with it and went to icloud and Iove it

I love my iCloud account too, but Apple would let me just use my iCloud only as my log in for iTunes. Besides I have a back up if I ever drop iCloud and Apple stuff.

 

[fortheus]

actually for custom domain, it's up to 500

 

[AppleFan91]

I love my iCloud account too, but Apple would let me just use my iCloud only as my log in for iTunes. Besides I have a back up if I ever drop iCloud and Apple stuff.

That is one thing that I always found annoying. But that's where I just started fresh and used iTunes Match for my music purchases

 

[techiegirl]

One thing that annoys me about iCoud is when I read an email on my iPad, it's not marked as read on my iPhone and vice versa.

 

[KSean]

On my iPhone, setup using activesync via the Exchange wizard, it behaves exactly like hosted email should with push, folders, etc.

You don't even need to do that as of iOS 7. Selecting "Outlook" in the options uses Exchange ActiveSync rather than IMAP now.

 

[LoveMyPens]

No clue how anything like that can happen.

I've been using Outlook.com since it was in beta early last year, and have been so satisfied with it that I discontinued my paid Exchange mail hosting. On my iPhone, setup using activesync via the Exchange wizard, it behaves exactly like hosted email should with push, folders, etc.

I used GMail from its beta days back in 2002-2003 until about 2009, then switched to a .Me address, then used hosted exchange for a while, and now use Outlook. This is the most satisfied I've ever been with any email service, hands down. It just works, pretty much like an Apple product.

I have my email setup through the Outlook.com account setup on my iPhone versus an exchange account. Could you or anyone else tell me the difference between IMAP and Exchange Active Service?

 

[c0LdFire]

Google accounts have had two-factor authorization available for a very, very long time now, FYI.

 

[shadedred]

With gmail no longer pushing and you have to use their app for it. I'm thinking of trying an outlook email address.

I don't use the gmail very much at all, but I really like the push and it's my iTunes log in. I'm thinking switching and also making the outlook.com my iTunes log in also. I like they also have a 2 step verification, and everything is pushed into the stock Apple email app.

Anyone else using outlook.com?

I do .me as my main email, but Apple has yet to change it so I can use my .me as my iTunes account also.

thank you,

I don't believe anyone has mentioned this yet - but if you're not completely opposed to using a 3rd Party App - I would highly recommend Mailbox. It also has push notifications and recently allowed for cloud searches (kept the official Gmail app installed that only that purpose). To make Gmail more seamless - I also add the account to Mail and disable all notifications/fetch in the event an app calls the default Mail app to compose new emails...

 

[Fedmahn Kassad]

I have my email setup through the Outlook.com account setup on my iPhone versus an exchange account. Could you or anyone else tell me the difference between IMAP and Exchange Active Service?

Activesync is similar to Microsoft Exchange and BlackBerry Enterprise Server hosted email accounts.

Basically, it keeps your email as close to synchronized as possible with the online versions, including folders, sent/received, read/unread status, sometimes even signatures, etc.

If you really don't know what it is, set up your email again on your phone, but this time use the option that says "Microsoft Exchange." The difference is huge - I used to pay $5/mo for hosted Exchange service, but since Outlook.com supports the free equivalent, Activesync, I was able to painlessly switch over. Give it a shot.

 

[LoveMyPens]

I don't believe anyone has mentioned this yet - but if you're not completely opposed to using a 3rd Party App - I would highly recommend Mailbox. It also has push notifications and recently allowed for cloud searches (kept the official Gmail app installed that only that purpose). To make Gmail more seamless - I also add the account to Mail and disable all notifications/fetch in the event an app calls the default Mail app to compose new emails...

That just seems like way too much work. Forwarding to outlook.com or icloud seems much easier IMO. This way you can give everything a try before switching completely or just leave it like that (gmail can be a backup). I've used all three at various times. Overall I am happiest with outlook.com

 

[Rigby]

If you really don't know what it is, set up your email again on your phone, but this time use the option that says "Microsoft Exchange." The difference is huge

The Outlook.com setup option (or Hotmail in iOS 6) does already set up the account as EAS, so there is no reason to do it again.

I used to pay $5/mo for hosted Exchange service, but since Outlook.com supports the free equivalent, Activesync, I was able to painlessly switch over. Give it a shot.

Activesync and Exchange (OWA) are actually quite different protocols. But for standard mail/contacts/calendar management, EAS works very well indeed.

 

[Primejimbo]

I don't believe anyone has mentioned this yet - but if you're not completely opposed to using a 3rd Party App - I would highly recommend Mailbox. It also has push notifications and recently allowed for cloud searches (kept the official Gmail app installed that only that purpose). To make Gmail more seamless - I also add the account to Mail and disable all notifications/fetch in the event an app calls the default Mail app to compose new emails...

I like just all my email in one spot. I don't like the idea going to the stock app for some email, than another for gmail.

 

[exi]

One thing that annoys me about iCoud is when I read an email on my iPad, it's not marked as read on my iPhone and vice versa.

This bugged me to no end as well when it came to read status across my MBP, iPhone, and the web interface. Wish Apple would scheme up a way to address this. For everyone who agrees: www.apple.com/feedback

 

[LoveMyPens]

The Outlook.com setup option (or Hotmail in iOS 6) does already set up the account as EAS, so there is no reason to do it again.
Activesync and Exchange (OWA) are actually quite different protocols. But for standard mail/contacts/calendar management, EAS works very well indeed.

So it doesn't matter if I setup my email through the "exchange" account or the "outlook.com" account... Results will still be the same?

 

[Rigby]

So it doesn't matter if I setup my email through the "exchange" account or the "outlook.com" account... Results will still be the same?

Yup. A sure sign to tell if you are using EAS is if you see options to enable contacts and calendar in your Outlook.com account settings (which are not supported by IMAP).

 

[macred]

Gmail is excellent in helping me manage the vast amount of mail I get. From time to time I will setup an additional test account with another service just to see if there's something I like better. Time and again nothing is a fast, flexible and full featured as Gmail. Working with several platforms nothing comes close.

The privacy argument is way too late, Google has but a fraction of what big data collection companies have on us. Recently it was finally revealed Microsoft reads mail as well. But anyone who's serious and willing to do the research already knows this. Everyone else is living in denial.

For light to moderate email, most any of them are just fine.

 

[Rigby]

Gmail is excellent in helping me manage the vast amount of mail I get. From time to time I will setup an additional test account with another service just to see if there's something I like better. Time and again nothing is a fast, flexible and full featured as Gmail. Working with several platforms nothing comes close.

The problem is that one crucial feature is now missing in Gmail: push email for new iOS devices. And personally, I'm not missing anything in Outlook. On the contrary, a few things (e.g. email aliases without having to manage multiple accounts) are more convenient than in Gmail.

 

[macred]

The problem is that one crucial feature is now missing in Gmail: push email for new iOS devices. And personally, I'm not missing anything in Outlook. On the contrary, a few things (e.g. email aliases without having to manage multiple accounts) are more convenient than in Gmail.

Your points are certainly valid, you'll notice I qualified my comments on what works best for me. With the choices currently available, choosing an email service has never been easier.

 

[LoveMyPens]

Gmail is excellent in helping me manage the vast amount of mail I get. From time to time I will setup an additional test account with another service just to see if there's something I like better. Time and again nothing is a fast, flexible and full featured as Gmail. Working with several platforms nothing comes close.

The privacy argument is way too late, Google has but a fraction of what big data collection companies have on us. Recently it was finally revealed Microsoft reads mail as well. But anyone who's serious and willing to do the research already knows this. Everyone else is living in denial.

For light to moderate email, most any of them are just fine.

I would have loved to have stayed with Gmail instead of trying out all the other different services. I'm not naive enough to think that other services don’t use my data in some way. That doesn't bother me. Loved Gmail and still do, but no push is just ridiculous! I will not use the Gmail app when the native app is so much better IMO... Just my $0.02.

 

[LoveMyPens]

Anyone know why pictures you assign to outlook contacts on your phone don't carryover to the outlook webite?

 

[Rigby]

Anyone know why pictures you assign to outlook contacts on your phone don't carryover to the outlook webite?

The web interface does not appear to be able to display pictures stored in the contacts. Apparently it only shows pictures taken from other sources (messenger or linked social profiles). Note that you cannot add pictures in the web interface either.

The pictures are stored on the server though if you sync your phone (i.e. when you later sync the contacts to another iOS device, the pictures do show up there).

 

[takeshi74]

"I don't use the gmail very much at all..."

So then why do you need it to Push?

Why do you think usage and desire for push are mutually exclusive? A person could certainly want timely delivery regardless of usage. In any case the OP stated "I really like the push". OP did not say "I really need the push".

Activesync is similar to Microsoft Exchange

EAS isn't "similar to" Exchange. It is used with Exchange. Exchange is the mail server. EAS is the protocol used to sync.

I used to pay $5/mo for hosted Exchange service, but since Outlook.com supports the free equivalent, Activesync, I was able to painlessly switch over. Give it a shot.

Activesync and Exchange (OWA) are actually quite different protocols. But for standard mail/contacts/calendar management, EAS works very well indeed.

Hosted Exchange isn't just OWA. I used hosted Exchange and while OWA is available to me my device is synced via EAS.

 

[Primejimbo]

Why do you think usage and desire for push are mutually exclusive? A person could certainly want timely delivery regardless of usage. In any case the OP stated "I really like the push". OP did not say "I really need the push".

Thanks!

I like the push because it is my iTunes log in. If there is an issue, I would like to know right away. Also I use it for other sensitive stuff, because of the 2 step verification, that Gmail and Outlook provide, it's a more secure too than iCloud. I really hope iCloud get this feature for their email very soon.

I also don't like putting all my eggs in one basket. If I leave the Apple ecosystem, I have an email already set up. I do like the Windows phone and that would where I go if I didn't use and iPhone anymore. From what I read, iCloud doesn't play well with others also, so I couldn't use my iCloud on windows for contacts and my calendar.

 

[LoveMyPens]

The web interface does not appear to be able to display pictures stored in the contacts. Apparently it only shows pictures taken from other sources (messenger or linked social profiles). Note that you cannot add pictures in the web interface either.

The pictures are stored on the server though if you sync your phone (i.e. when you later sync the contacts to another iOS device, the pictures do show up there).

Thank you!