Apple Updates MobileMe

Apple rolled out numerous MobileMe enhancements during a scheduled maintenance period last evening. Mainly focusing on the web aspect of the service, the update brought changes to Mail, “Find My iPhone,” and a host of other features.

Upon logging into the web interface, users will notice a redesigned iPad styled Mail view, as well as a universally simpler design. Pushing the “cloud” aspect of the service, all web apps are now stored in a blue cloud icon in the upper left corner of the screen. Clicking the cloud opens an icon bar similar to that which appears when pressing ⌘ + tab in OS X. Aside from a new Gallery icon and minor UI tweaks the other apps remain largely unchanged.

While Webmail already provided a very robust desktop styled experience, new improvements have made it even better. Apple has enabled both widescreen and compact views, rules to keep your mailbox and folders organized, single-click archiving, and a formatting toolbar. For a full synopsis of the new Mail features click here

The other most notable change is the release of the new Find My iPhone app in the App Store. Previously a web only service, Find My iPhone is now a free app which can be downloaded onto any iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. Imagine being able to track a stolen or lost iPhone almost instantly by borrowing a friend’s device and launching the new app. Just like the web version of the utility, MobileMe subscribers can have the lost phone display a message with sound, remotely lock it, or even wipe the phone of all personal data.

Apple has also doubled the length of the MobileMe free trial period from thirty days to sixty. If you’ve never tried the service, the new features make it a great time to start. We’ve got a great deal on it too! Save $10 instantly and get an additional $30 back when purchased with a new Mac!

Similar Posts

  • South Park: Made on a Mac

    Love it or hate it, South Park is a phenomenon. I was surprised to learn today that the show is produced in a…

  • A Mac Virus? Not so fast.

    The blogosphere has been abuzz with claims that the first Mac virus or trojan has been identified in the wild. It’s been reported…

  • iMovie '11 New Features Overview

    iMovie ’11 was released today at Apple’s Back to the Mac press conference, as part of the new iLife ’11 multimedia productivity suite….

  • .Mac, My New 10GB Friend.

    I have a great time with my .Mac account~ we go everywhere together. Well, maybe not everywhere, but pretty close. Anyway, I’ve had…

  • Apple Releases Mac OS X 10.7 Lion

    On Wednesday, Apple released the highly anticipated Mac OS X 10.7 Lion via the Mac App Store. The eighth major release of OS X, Lion marks the first version of the world’s most advanced operating system available exclusively through the Mac App Store. Bypassing the traditional CD/DVD format of past releases, Mac OS X Lion is a significant step forward both in terms of its new features and in how operating systems are acquired and installed.

    Introducing over 250 new features, Lion is an enticing upgrade—especially given its very affordable $29.99 price point. The scale of Wednesday’s release is in line with the shift from Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger to Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard in the fall of 2007. While Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard acted as a bridge between Leopard and Lion, it was more of a refinement of the features already introduced in 10.5. Given this, Mac users have been waiting patiently for nearly four years for an upgrade of Lion’s scale, and thankfully it doesn’t disappoint.

    Lion includes many groundbreaking new features including: enhanced Multi-Touch gestures, support for full screen apps, Mission Control, Launchpad, the Mac App Store and a completely redesigned version of Mail. As mentioned during keynotes and media events throughout its development, many of these new features are directly inspired by, or even copies of, features of Apple’s iOS mobile operating system. Due to this amalgamation, Lion has been toted as a synthesis of the best aspects of Mac OS X and iOS.

    Almost as amazing as its new features is the way Lion is acquired and installed. No longer is a trip to the store to purchase a boxed version of the OS required. Users running Mac OS X 10.6.8 with compatible Intel Macs can download Lion from the convenience of their homes and offices through the Mac App Store. What many are already referring to as the simplest install of OS X ever, Lion can be installed and configured with just a few clicks. Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing contributed the following on Lion’s release and the ease of its install:

    “Lion is the best version of OS X yet, and we’re thrilled that users around the world can download it starting today. Lion makes upgrading a Mac easier than ever before; just launch the Mac App Store, buy Lion with your iTunes account, and the download and install process will begin automatically.”

    Supplementing the aforementioned features, Lion includes a series of refinements which look to radically change the way OS X is experienced and used. Among these Resume, Auto Save and Versions effectively eliminate the need to save files as they automatically preserve your Mac’s state prior to a restart or shutdown, continuously save your documents in the background and even keep a running history your of files as you work. Lion also introduces AirDrop, which revolutionizes file transfers to nearby Macs, making Sneakernet flash drive exchanges a thing of the past.

    Mac OS X 10.7 Lion is now available on the Mac App Store, and retails for $29.99. To ensure your Mac is compatible and ready to upgrade, click here.

    To purchase Lion, click here. (opens the Mac App Store)

    System Requirements:

    • Intel-based Mac with a Core 2 Duo, i3, 15, i7 or Xeon processor
    • Mac OS X 10.6.8 Snow Leopard
    • 2GB of RAM
    • 4GB available hard drive space
  • iTunes Still Rules

    Apple has announced that they’ve renewed contracts with four major record companies to sell individual songs through iTunes for 99 cents each. Some…