MobileMe
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Me.com email addresses online?
Macrumors.com is reporting that for some .Mac users, using a me.com email address seems to be working. For instance, if your .Mac account name is username, sending an email to username@me.com works the same as sending one to username@mac.com.Your mileage may vary -- as of 8:35 PM EDT on Saturday, June 28, 2008, it wasn't working for me. Update: About four hours later, it's working for me. [via MacRumors.com]
iPhone 3G highly anticipated among readers
Yesterday, we asked you, dear readers, to identify the forthcoming Apple goody that you're anticipating the most. Thousands of you answered, and here are the results.First and foremost, you're looking forward to the 3G iPhone. A full 1,802 (29.4%) respondents put the new phone at the top of the list. Close behind is the iPhone 2.0 software (26.8% of votes) and the App Store (22.6%).More than 700 of you (12.1%) are most interested the online whining that will certainly follow each release, and only 9.2% of respondents are eagerly anticipating MobileMe. We were certain that MobileMe would at least beat out whining. What do we know?
Which upcoming goodie are you anticipating?
With only a week before July, we're eager to get our hands on the new goodies from Apple. With so much to look forward to and try out, we're wondering which of the pending updates you're most interested in.Is it Mobile Me's offer of "Exchange for the rest of us?" Perhaps it's iPhone software 2.0, or even the snazzy 3G iPhone you're waiting for. Here's your chance to let us now. Add your answer to our highly unscientific poll, and we'll post the results tomorrow. Oh, it's like Christmas! In July. Or something.%Poll-16066%
iPhone 2.0 firmware goes golden master
Gizmodo and GearLive are reporting that the iPhone 2.0 firmware will go golden master (locked for shipping) this week. Golden master does not necessarily mean that Apple will ship the firmware this week (after all, Steve said that it would ship in "early July") but it does mean that the firmware and all the features are complete and ready to head out the door. Both sites seem to agree with the build number on the new firmware: 345. Gizmodo is reporting that 2.0 will boast code signing and a new encryption feature. The iPhone firmware 2.0 is definitely something on every iPhone owner's wishlist, and here's mine (you have one of these, right?): Super Monkey Ball (AppStore) New Mail features iWork support in Mail Exchange support MobileMe support Super Monkey Ball (did I mention this one already?) Scientific Calculator (would it be too hard to add a graphing calculator? c'mon, Apple!) While we wait around the virtual campfire for the next version of the iPhone software, what are you most looking forward to in the new firmware? I think everyone can guess what my favorite feature will be; although I am still waiting for Final Cut Studio 2 for iPhone (we've been hearing rumors that it will be in the 10th generation device).
Rumor: 10.5.4 due before July 11th
AppleInsider claims to have information on the next point update of Mac OS X Leopard (version 10.5.4). According to AppleInsider, the build number of 10.5.4 is 9E17. They also reported that the beta of 10.5.4 has "no known issues" in its latest build, and that beta testers were asked to focus on AirPort, networking with Windows, Spaces and other frequently used (and often problematic) aspects of OS X. As we reported a while back, OS X 10.5.4 should incorporate support for Apple's new MobileMe web service.
MobileMe browser requirements page found
Joining in on the conversation about tonight's .Mac outage, reader Chad sent us a link to a page he discovered on .Mac. He said that while trying to access his .Mac service on his iPhone, he was redirected to a MobileMe browser requirements page. One of the suspicious things on the page is the fact that "calendar" is spelled wrong (i.e. "calender"). You can see a screen grab of the page after the break. The page in question shows Safari as the top browser to use, followed by Firefox 2 and Internet Explorer 7. On last night's talkcast (MP3 Link) Michael Rose, Robert Palmer, and I talked about the possibility of Apple marketing the Safari browser for Windows users through the MobileMe service. It looks as if that guess is true.Thanks, Chad!Update: Apple has updated the page (see new screenshot after the break).
.Mac down
Some readers are reporting that they cannot login to their .Mac service. Apple is currently reporting that the Web Pages are down at mac.com."Members cannot access the www.mac.com website. It will be restored ASAP. Read more for interim solutions," Apple notes on the support website.Could this mean that Apple is working on transitioning over to their MobileMe service? Well, time will tell. Be sure to stay tuned to TUAW for updates on the .Mac outage. If you spot any new changes with your .Mac service, be sure to leave a comment or send us a tip!Update (7:05p EST): Some users are reporting that while .Mac is taking longer than normal, they are now able to login. Apple has yet to post any additional updates on their support website. The Web Page down status has not been removed.Update (7:44p EST): Apple has updated the status page. The status currently reads, "Members cannot access the .Mac Welcome page. It will be restored ASAP." Stay tuned to TUAW for the latest about the .Mac outage.
Apple leaves placeholder text in a published MobileMe page, eh?
Canada has many things going for it: maple trees everywhere, single-payer health care system and a one-of-a-kind Apple page. One of our readers just tipped us about an error on the MobileMe signup completion page for Canada. Apparently, Apple's designers left in some placeholder text on the signup "thank you" page. While Apple does (yes, they really do) make some mistakes, leaving greeked text on a webpage isn't usually one of them. [If you're saying "that looks like Latin, not Greek," see here. -Ed.]You can see the Freudian slip by visiting Apple's Canadian MobileMe signup completion page.
Readers report .Mac service outages
We've gotten several reports this morning that sections of the .Mac service, including web galleries, webmail and the www.mac.com page, are offline today. Email to the .Mac domain appears to be flowing but there's no ETA on restoration of the services and no clear picture of exactly what is affected.This is not entirely a surprising development considering the wholesale migration of .Mac to MobileMe, but it's a little discouraging. Perhaps we should all send "get well soon" iCards... oh, wait, nevermind.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
Apple's worst logo ever?
I'm eager to test out Apple's upcoming MobileMe service, the .Mac replacement scheduled to launch in a few weeks. Unfortunately for many, my enthusiasm is matched by disdain for the MobileMe logo.Gawker says "...it should be on a package of Japanese soap." Paul Thurrott notices a similarity between MobileMe and Microsoft WindowsME and Manhattan Offender asks flat-out: "Is 'MobileMe' the worst logo in the history of Mac?"First of all, Manhattan Offender, Apple is the company that produced MobileMe and its graphic representation, not "Mac." Remember, Apple is pushing this (get it?) as "Exchange for the rest of us." It's not a corporate product, but a consumer service with corporate-like features. We think the logo is airy and fun.What's your take? Decent enough or utter garbage?[Via Geek & Mild]
UI changes in the MobileMe Guided Tour
Part of the fun of watching the Guided Tour videos that Apple has been producing lately is obsessing over every minor detail. With that in mind, we've gone over the MobileMe Guided Tour with a fine-toothed comb. Here's what we found.%Gallery-24763%
TUAW WWDC 2008 Day 1 coverage roundup
That was a heck of a way to start off WWDC 2008, don't you think? Just in case you didn't get a change to read all of our 40 or so posts today, I thought I would highlight a few.Be sure to check out our WWDC 2008 coverage page for lots more info.The StevenoteTUAW Meta-Liveblog of WWDC 08 Keynote: Our award winning coverage of other sites' live coverage of the WWDC keynote iPhone 2.0 firmware will ship in early July, touch users pay $9.95: iPhone users get the 2.0 firmware for free, while iPod touch folks have to pay Apple ten bucks.iPhone 3G announced: Did you know Apple makes a phone? The new iPhone, dubbed the iPhone 3G, sports faster networking, longer battery life, GPS, and a flush headphone jack. All of that, and it costs much less ($199 for an 8 gig and $299 for the 16 gig model).MobileMe announced: .Mac is dead, long live MobileMe. Well, at least that will be the case on July 11. The .Mac replacement offers up push email, calendaring, contacts as well as Web 2.0 apps for checking said things. It still costs $99 for an individual account and $149 for a family subscription (all subscriptions last for a year). WWDC Reader Q&A Liveblog: You had questions, and we tried to answer them.Apple posts video of WWDC 2008 keynote: Watch it in the comfort of your own Mac.iPhone 3G 3G iPhone: What it means - a look at the hardware: Cory checks out what comes in the iPhone 3G box.Where can I buy an iPhone 3g?: Christina whipped up a very cool map showing you all the countries that Apple will be selling the iPhone 3G in.AT&T talks iPhone 3G plans, apps: AT&T spills the beans about the new iPhone service plans (spoiler alert, they are more expensive) and talks about the Yellowpages.com app they are working on.Confirmed: GoPhone is No Go and in-store Activation only: Erica confirms that the iPhone 3G will have to be activated in store, no more iTunes activations for you! Also, the GoPhone plan won't be available for the iPhone 3G.MobileMe.Mac to MobileMe: what's the deal?: Apple explains the transition from .Mac to MobileMe for current subscribers.Get a $30 discount on MobileMe: A little bargain hunting never hurt anyone.What isn't making the cut from .Mac to MobileMe: iCards will be no more. A nation mourns (or at least a WiFi expert does).Snow Leopard (aka OS X 10.6)Apple posts details about Snow Leopard: A press release details some of the features found in Snow Leopard.Apple posts Snow Leopard website: Even more about Apple's next cat.Apple posts Snow Leopard Server information: Some information about the server flavor of Snow Leopard, which will include some very cool new features.
MobileMe requires OS X 10.5.4?
TUAW reader Lee Car noticed something odd whilst reading the Terms and Conditions of MobileMe (I'm impressed that anyone actually reads that stuff). The official System Requirements of MobileMe say that you need 'Mac OS X v10.4.11 or latest version of Mac OS X Leopard,' which isn't all that newsy worthy. However, as you can see above, the MobileMe Terms of Service lists Mac OS X v10.4.11, v10.5.4, or later. Very interesting, huh?This leads me to believe that around the time MobileMe launches ( July 11) we'll see 10.5.4.Update: Cory reminds me that one of our tipsters told us to expect OS X 10.5.4 during the second week of June. Looks pretty likely to me.
What isn't making the cut from .Mac to MobileMe
On the surface MobileMe looks like a much better way to spend $99 than .Mac ever was, but there are a few .Mac features that are going to be discontinued. Say farewell to the following .Mac highlights: iCards: I don't remember the last time I sent an iCard, but I always liked the fact that I could. Web access to Bookmarks: you'll still be able to sync bookmarks across machines, but you will no longer be able to access them from a web browser (in case you wanted to check your bookmarks on some random machine). Panther support: this one isn't that big of a shock. .Mac slides: I'm not even sure what .Mac slides are, so I don't think I'll miss this feature much Any .Mac subscribers out there angered by this list? Let us know in the comments.
MobileMe gets a video tour, and John the Apple guy is your guide
By now you've probably heard about .Mac's replacement, MobileMe. It's like Yahoo! Mail, Google Docs, and every other Ajaxy web app you've ever used... just way more Apple-ish. If you're feeling confused by all the synchronized over-the-air options it presents, your good friend John (aka Classy Apple Dude) is here to explain things in a simple, easy-to-understand tour. Just watching this makes us feel safe, secure... and frankly, a little sleepy.
Get a $30 discount on MobileMe
If you have been waiting for the announcement of MobileMe (which, who hasn't), then you might like to know about two deals we discovered that allow you to get MobileMe on the cheap.Deal 1Apple is running a promotion for new Mac purchasers. This deal allows you to get a $30 discount on a new Mac + MobileMe purchase. The discount is applied at checkout, so you won't have to worry about sending back a rebate form.Deal 2Amazon is still offering .Mac box purchases at a discount. If you don't want to buy a Mac to get the discount, Amazon is the place to buy .Mac/MobileMe. Since .Mac users will be switched over in "early July" this will save you some money.Thanks, Nick!
.Mac to MobileMe: what's the deal?
The above graphic is what greets you when you visit .Mac. Apple is not hiding the fact that MobileMe is the successor to .Mac (which itself was the replacement for iTools, which some might recall was free). Now, many .Mac users might be worried about how the transition from .Mac to MobileMe will take place and what will happen to their .Mac email addresses, .Mac website addresses, and all the information that they have in their .Mac mail accounts, contacts, and so on. Apple has posted a handy little Knowledge Base article which details what .Mac members should expect.The short version is that your .Mac account email address will work just as it did before, but you'll have a choice of using either username@mac.com or username@me.com. If you have aliases setup at .Mac they will continue to work as well. All your .Mac websites will continue to work at both mac.com and me.com. Your email and contacts will magically be transferred to MobileMe, but you will no longer be able to check you accounts using Mac.com's website: it'll all happen over at Me.com.Also, the increased storage limits will be applied to your account, but it might take up to 10 days after the migration from .Mac to MobileMe before you see the new limits reflected in your accounts.
Apple posts MobileMe Guided Tour
MobileMe is a brand new service from Apple that will soon replace, and supplant, .Mac. Apple bills it as 'Exchange for the rest of us,' meaning that it offers you one central place ('the cloud,' as Apple is calling it) to store your email, calendar, and address book. You even have a number of different tools that let various devices sync that data. Confused? Worry not! Apple has just posted a guided tour of MobileMe that will give you a good idea of what to expect.
Apple Store back online
Now that the WWDC Keynote has ended and live coverage has ceased, the Apple Stores around the world are returning to normal after an interesting Stevenote. Some of the changes on the store that we've noted are: 3G iPhone details, pricing and availability MobileMe pricing, availability Have you noticed anything new in the Apple Store? Be sure to give us your comments. WWDC coverage here on TUAW is just getting started, join us at 3:30pm EST for a live chat with the bloggers to discuss today's event.
MobileMe announced
Today Apple demoed the much anticipated MobileMe application that we were tipped to last month. Currently, we were correct in what we thought would be the features list: Web version of mail, calendars, and contacts (look similar to desktop apps) Old .Mac users will be transitioned over to MobileMe when it launches Launch in early July Same $99 /year price that we've all come to expect Sync between iPhone, iPod touch, Mac, and PCs As soon as we have more information, we will post about it. Be sure to stay tuned to TUAW as we have continuing coverage of WWDC.
