MobileMe - .Mac is gone, Push to Mac's, iPhone, and web is here

[Kyle Matthews]

.Mac, Apple's nice but relatively outdated service which gave users the ability to sync their contacts, calendars, photos, and files online, is now being changed to MobileMe.

The service runs $99/yr, with new users getting a free 60 day trial. MobileMe lets you access and manage your email, contacts, calendar, photos, and files at me.com (which still isn't quite up it seems). Push technology means when you update your contacts, calendars, or email on your iPhone, web, or Mac, the updates are automatically and immediately pushed out to all your other MobileMe devices.

The web interface for the MobileMe suite is an absolutely gorgeous use of AJAX and current web technologies. Check out some screenies:











Of course this is newer, nicer, stuff, so you'll need Safari 3 or Firefox 2 for the Mac, and Safari 3, Firefox 2, or Internet Explorer 7 for Windows. The service comes with 20GB of storage.

Existing .Mac folks will automatically be upgraded - you'll keep your @mac.com email address, and also be given an @me.com email as well - you can use both.

I'm sure there will be an update coming soon for OS X to integrate this even further with the iLife suite.

Nice job, Apple.

[taz1981m]

i say use a peice of paper write it down and save $99 year wow

[planb]

ya #2 ^_^ (i have nothing to say)

[chrissurra]

This is bigger news then the 3g iphone. I love the fact everything can be pushed to my phone

[gameviper]

eh not worried bout this... im more excited bout the 3g iphone in general haha

[suprmallet]

Can somebody tell me why this is worth $99 a year when I already have the completely free Gmail, which is accessible by computer and iPhone?

[reallynotnick]

I usually hate web apps, but for some reason these make me want to give up my desktop apps! lol

[Kyle Matthews]

I for one have been using .Mac for a while - and the syncing of all my stuff (contacts, calendar, SYSTEM SETTINGS ON MY MAC, passwords (yup, secure), favorites in Safari, favorites in my FTP program, etc is invaluable.

I broke my computer and Apple needed it for 5 days to fix it - I set up a new user account on my wife's laptop, turned on .Mac and synced, and wham, all my mail accounts are set up, and all my saved forms and favorites were there as well. Calendar, contacts, all there.

Not bad.

MobileMe is really exciting, since its an even more polished feel to these. Plus, the ability to share pictures, files, etc in an easy to manage, good looking way is great. FTP is all well and good for us hacker folks, but telling my folks how to use an FTP program is like telling a rabbit how to fly a helicopter.

[quahog_convo]

I wonder how closely tied this may be to hardware... I won't be using an iPhone on the AT&T network, so I don't know if this would be tied to AT&T somehow

[tntmorgan]

this rocks!

[desepticon]

I wonder how closely tied this may be to hardware... I won't be using an iPhone on the AT&T network, so I don't know if this would be tied to AT&T somehow

No, this has nothing to do with AT&T. It all internet stuff, accessible anywhere.

[[email protected]]

Can somebody tell me why this is worth $99 a year when I already have the completely free Gmail, which is accessible by computer and iPhone?

Watch the video here: Apple - MobileMe
I have used a .mac account for a long time and in my travels it has served me well the last year I let it go I thought about getting it again for the photo sharing and a few other enhancements but never did, I will be getting it back for sure now!

[suprmallet]

Watch the video here: Apple - MobileMe
I have used a .mac account for a long time and in my travels it has served me well the last year I let it go I thought about getting it again for the photo sharing and a few other enhancements but never did, I will be getting it back for sure now!

Seems like it would be nice for file sharing, but Gmail handles all the email/contacts/calender stuff for me already. And I have other avenues for file sharing, so not worth it for me.

[pecalbar]

You have to pay for this??Jesus,which other phone company charges for syncing contacts,mail and calendar?

[Kyle Matthews]

You want a list?

[rusty778]

Finally my .Mac subscription isnt so useless. I currently only use it for back to my mac.

[lifesmymachine]

Very exciting, but I was expecting a "And one more thing... We are also cutting the cost of mobile me (.mac) in half." One can dream right?

[oscar25]

Very cool. Like the changes and refinements. It may not be worth $99 to everyone, but to others it is.

[one1]

"Mobile Me" reminds me of a cross between Windows Mobile and ME.

Nice interface, but on the name...... FAIL!

[Songbird]

I'm really excited for this. I'm always losing my music and files due to reformats on my iPod/external drives/hard drives/etc and this will keep all my stuff in one place!