As you would expect the real power of FlexMail is the advanced features it has when it comes to email composition and handling of email.  Like other email applications, FlexMail sends mail in plain text.  However it can read HTML emails with full graphics.  FlexMail can also attach files to an email and signatures can be added to your outgoing emails and/or replies.  These signatures can also be configured for each account on your device.  For example, I have a different signature associated with my ActiveSync (Exchange) email account than that of my mobile account on my domain.  As I mentioned before, non-standard and standard POP and SMTP ports are configurable as well as authentication and SSL requirements.  Essentially there is not anything you can do from your Windows Mobile device using FlexMail that you could do from your desktop email client.  It is that powerful!

Figure 6:  Add A Signature to every email or reply	Figure 7:  Attachments are handled easily in FlexMail

Additional features of FlexMail include the ability to accept or reject calendar appointments.  This is a great feature for those of us who use Exchange and Push Mail technology in a corporate environment.  You can also easily create from an email a task or appointment.  To do this just tap the message and select Create From Message on the menu.  Both of these features fully integrate with WebIS' Pocket Informant PIM application.

Virtually every aspect of FlexMail can be configured to fit your needs and likes.  Most of this is done through the FlexMail Icon menu and Settings menu on the taskbar.  From here you can configure how you are notified of new email or SMS messages, if you want to close or minimize the application when you tap the X, if you want FlexMail to be your default email and/or SMS application, how mail is read, sent and and composed (such as encoding) just to name a few.  The list is exhaustive and impressive.

Figure 8:  Customize FlexMail to fit your needs and desires using the Settings menu

As a final point, FlexMail offers you the ability to handle both your email and SMS messages from one application.  With FlexMail you can both send and receive SMS messages and they are filed in folders just as email.  Replying to a received text message is done just like an email and like email, if the number you are sending to is not in your contacts, you can add it with one tap.  When composing a SMS, the standard maximum length of that message is 160 characters.  As you type your message in FlexMail, a progress indicator is at the bottom of the message window, letting you know in real time how many characters you have used of the 160.  This visual cue is a nice touch and is an easy way to eliminate the guess work of if your message will be truncated or split into multiple messages for being too long.

Figure 9:  SMS is easy in FlexMail and includes a visual indicator of the length of your message

Overall it is very hard to find anything not to like about FlexMail 2007.  It is one of the most powerful email applications available for Windows Mobile devices today and provides a desktop-like experience which should meet the demands of most power email users.  Give it a try and it will become quickly apparent why this application has won so many awards in 2006.

FlexMail 2007 is $19.95 and can you can try or buy it at the Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! store.  More information on WebIS and FlexMail 2007 can be found on the WebIS website. 

You can discuss this review in the Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! Forums

Clinton Fitch, MVP-Mobile Devices
Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com!