Google: we're cool with Exchange on Google-branded Android phones

Okay, this gets a bit confusing, so bear with us. Back when HTC first unveiled the Magic, the company said that any Android device with a customized build -- and that includes adding support for Microsoft Exchange -- has to drop the "with Google" logo as per Google's rules. Indeed, that notion seemed to be validated by the all the international Android phones that have Exchange but no branding. Cut to present day and the T-Mobile's myTouch 3G, which looks to have both the "with Google" backing and Exchange support, contrary to previous assertions. Did the search engine giant soften its policy? We spoke with a company representative who told us, surprisingly, that it has "never been Google's policy" to deprive its branded devices of Exchange support, and that if another phone maker wants to add it and keep that logo plastered on the phone, that's A-OK. In all honesty, we never really put too much stock into the Google logo on the phone, but if it's really just been one huge misunderstanding that's prevented our G1 from having Exchange, well, we're gonna be quite nonplussed for many weeks to come.

[Invisiblemoose @ Jul 7th 2009 6:54PM]

Who is this company rep you spoke to? Some guy at K-Mart wearing a Google shirt? Because that guy is a liar.

[HammerT @ Jul 7th 2009 6:54PM]

Well you don't need to change to rom to add exchange support right? So what was the problem?

[Ryan @ Jul 7th 2009 6:55PM]

What about the stance of no senseUI on google branded phones? Perhaps that too is a 'misunderstanding'?

[Major4Play @ Jul 7th 2009 7:04PM]

SenseUI was designed by HTC the only reason it doesn't go on other Google phones is HTC own it, they put it on HTC branded phones, Apps, skins and mods to Android do not have to be shared with the community so why should HTC hand it out instead of using it as a reason for people to buy a new HTC phone?

[Myke @ Jul 7th 2009 9:13PM]

At the end of the day HTC still made it!!!!! why should for example winmo htc phones get updates in the states and android shouldn't regardless of the fact HTC is making money off this thing so shit we should be able to customize our Tmobile MyTouch (HTC PHONE)!!

[newjaruz @ Jul 7th 2009 6:59PM]

Well then it should be added ASAP

[BBod @ Jul 9th 2009 1:29PM]

Here, here...some one messed up on that one

[urdaddy @ Jul 7th 2009 7:12PM]

Just tell them to get an iPhone. It has a logo with more prestige plastered on back and a phone with better looks and functionality. Problem solved for everybody.

[AlDeezy @ Jul 7th 2009 7:16PM]

but I don't like apples.

[lessthantito @ Jul 7th 2009 7:23PM]

Prestige? what makes the iphone so much better than any Android phone, multitouch or is it how great it multitasks oh yea I forgot it has that apple on it maybe if I put an apple logo on a dog turd people will buy it because of that prestige?

[Stephen @ Jul 7th 2009 7:34PM]

lessthantito, I was just thinking about that little feature of Android as I was playing a game while waiting for my work email to update and listening to music all at the same time.

Oh yeah,urdaddy , with Touchdown you can have exchange email on your Android phones... no need for "prestige".

[Henzapper @ Jul 7th 2009 7:34PM]

The Apple logo has more prestige? Maybe if it was against another company, that might've been true. But this is Google, the noun that is a verb.

And besides that your post was just fail.

[Dude @ Jul 7th 2009 7:40PM]

I would buy an iphone if it didn't have the apple logo on it.

[Warren @ Jul 7th 2009 8:30PM]

Im an Apple fan boy - and I voted your comment down because it was just downright stupid.

Way to keep the stereotype alive...

[recharged95 @ Jul 7th 2009 9:38PM]

Are you sure the original "with Google" rule that prohibited Exchange wasn't from some Apple rep?

Cause back then, if the policy was to allow exchange, it would easily threaten the Apple monopoly--folks would easily switch over from a push-type google phone vs a pull type 3G back then.

[newjaruz @ Jul 7th 2009 10:32PM]

and no push email on iphone to this day...
so its not solving anything really

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Jul 8th 2009 12:35AM]

Nice try, troll.

[Zapp @ Jul 7th 2009 7:17PM]

You keep using that word... I do not think it means what you think it means.

http://www.google.com/search?q=define:nonplussed

[Brendon @ Jul 7th 2009 7:30PM]

I think he is using the third definition, from your link

[drumdbeat @ Jul 7th 2009 7:31PM]

Looks about right to me.

[Phineas J. Whoopie @ Jul 7th 2009 9:30PM]

I'm flummoxed.

[Zapp @ Jul 7th 2009 11:16PM]

@Brendon: While you should in general never trust wiktionary, if you click on the link you'll note this: "(US, nonstandard or informal)" which is a polite way of saying "ignorant of the original meaning."

@drumdbeat: If you are saying that you think the author's original meaning was that he was going to be "quite bewildered for many weeks to come," I have to disagree with you there. It seems kind of silly to plan to be confused when you are reporting a rumor that is surprising and aggravating, but that you fully understand.

[Broo @ Jul 8th 2009 8:15AM]

inconceivable!

[forcevoltron @ Jul 7th 2009 7:18PM]

Does this mean that the HTC "mytouch" and samsung i7500 will be able to have their respected companies UI's on tmobile?

[Stephen @ Jul 7th 2009 7:29PM]

What's all the business about no exchange support. I understand the build in mail app does not have support. However, there is at least one great solution in the Market that does a great job. It supports Active Sync and screen scraping OWA. I personally use it for my work email and it does a fantastic job. If you're interested search the Market for Touchdown. It's a little pricey but I think it's worth it.

[Julius @ Jul 7th 2009 7:35PM]

I think blogs are getting it all wrong. For an android device to be 'google branded' it has to meet certain conditions. Android can be fully customized by operators and hardware vendors, but google will only 'brand' phones that offer the FULL experience and the google stuff, I suppose (gmail, gtalk, etc).
The licensing terms should be around there, somewhere.

But I dont think the google branding stops operators from bundling android with some apps already installed. Im not sure though, but my vodafone HTC magic came with a vodafone logo that is a link to the vodafone live page. And that IS already some modification, as little as it may be. So nothing stops at&t or whoever to add an android application that adds exchange support. Everything can be changed. On mine, I can change the keyboard, the home screen, etc, and it's google branded. And if is some license restricts them from pre-installing stuff, nothing stops them from selling it through the android market. If exchange support doesnt mean replacing any 'default' component, then why not?

I guess the htc hero build replaces a lot of of the default android stuff, and in a way prevents it from being deployed on google branded phones. That doesnt mean that they can find a way to distribute the specific apps that make that touchsense thing possible.

[vince @ Jul 8th 2009 1:47AM]

My Magic (Switzerland -> Sunrise carrier) have the exchange function , a PDF Reader and QuickOffice (read only) installed out-of-the-box. I've got all the Google app too, the buils is the HTC Build (no Android logo at startup, only HTC and HTC Magic)

The same phone but different carrier (Swisscom) don't have these app (and no exchange). The buils is the Google Build (with Android logo)

[Dude @ Jul 7th 2009 7:38PM]

Any HTC Lancaster news? Or how about a U.S. release date for the samsung i7500?

I could really go for some fresh domestic android action (besides the mytouch).

[Ben @ Jul 7th 2009 7:45PM]

Lancaster looks like garbage. I hope AT&T gets the HTC Hero.

[Myke @ Jul 7th 2009 9:16PM]

i doubt it makes no sense for ATT to destroy its own prized position the IPhone...

[Myke @ Jul 7th 2009 9:18PM]

don't know where position came in meant possession^, guess because we talking about ATT and they use special positions to fuk over there customers...

[Ravnos @ Jul 7th 2009 9:19PM]

@Ben: I'd bet on seeing the Hero on AT&T soon enough. It went through the FCC with AT&T's 3G frequencies on the specs, so it's either going to AT&T, or it's going to be sold without a carrier and you can use it with AT&T.

Personally, I'd rather have the Samsung I7500, but that one's definitely not coming to AT&T or Rogers. I'll settle for the Hero.

[Ben @ Jul 7th 2009 7:39PM]

I wanna see android on my pre..just to see how it runs

[SouthEastBeast @ Jul 8th 2009 1:24AM]

Thank the god(s) for XDA!

[Tim @ Jul 7th 2009 8:16PM]

And while everyone else complains about how prestigious their logos are and what the hell it takes to be google branded, i think to myself "Hey, the mytouch has exchange. nice."
That is all

[Warren @ Jul 7th 2009 8:31PM]

amen.

[youngcitya @ Jul 7th 2009 9:56PM]

A google logo is Gphone's indication as well as the iphone's apple logo.
The same is the third part software like DVD to Gphone Converter which can convert DVD to Gphone like the DVD to iPhone Converter
http://www.dvd-ripper-copy.com/dvd-to-gphone.html#115

[DaveyNC @ Jul 7th 2009 10:02PM]

If one is not in a state of being "nonplussed", does that mean that one is "plussed"? Or perhaps "plussful"? Just asking.

[Tydiz @ Jul 8th 2009 2:37AM]

What did you guys thing Google meant by open when it was anounced? Devs have brought exchange support to the phone, as well as alternative homes, multiple different sms clients, internet browsers, and email clients prior to this whole HTC excitement that has been going on. Google said they were expecting this from the beginning...as you can see, it wasn't a dirty little joke, but actually what they wanted to happen.

Google isn't making money off of Android as a system, its a tool to push the entire mobile market towards the internet enabled phase(and ultimately giving Google more users on Google's services online). By innovating using Android, it pushes companies like Apple and RIM to equalize the gap(if there is one), which allows Google to push its increasing amount of Google enabled apps across many platforms. Obviously limiting its users by saying "you can't have this" within their system is going to limit their users and therefore prevent this push from happening how Google wants it to.

[Thomas Lewis @ Jul 8th 2009 8:23AM]

Exchange Support doesn't even work on none google phones anyways, If you have a Space in the User Name then is pukes up all over its self.

Good job HTC :)

[Mark Corton @ Aug 21st 2009 10:35AM]

So have HTC acknowledged the ActiveSync/username space issue yet?

I really can't wait to ditch my BB curve but have to keep it going for work until this is resolved... :(

[BoBoTheChimp @ Jul 8th 2009 10:45AM]

The google logo has since rubbed off the back of my G1...does this mean I can have Exchange too?