mobileme from Apple

[piecinitup]

I'm really happy they're allowing a 60-day trial. I really like the concept of this thing but in the back of my mind I could see myself barely using the full functionality. Plus, it kinda pisses me off that I would have to have ANOTHER new email address, if I could use it with my Gmail address, i'll be all over it for sure.

[c4sizzle]

The 60-day trial is a very smart idea. Apple is using it as an opportunity for users to get acclimated to the software and features and if we do choose to dive in, we'll be ready. Also, don't forget if you buy a Mac, i believe you receive a 30% discount on MobileMe. I have heard of amazon also providing discounts within that range. 70 bucks is definitely a lot more palatable.

[marcol]

I pay for .Mac now and I'd say value is border line - each year I wonder if it's really worth it but each year I do end up renewing. For me the curent .Mac service is justified mostly by the simplicity and integration rather than the raw functionality: simple backup and syncing (between Macs) of contacts, calendar, bookmarks, keychains (incl. 1Password), mail accounts and rules etc; simple publishing of photos from Aperture; simple vnc ('Back to My Mac'); easy storage on iDisk, etc. I quite expect most of that can be done more cheaply in other ways, but I'm sure it can't be done as easily.

MobileMe is a different matter and the OTA syncing to iPhone completely pushes it into the 'decent value' category for me. I'd like it a lot if I never had to connect my phone to a computer via a cable again and everything was kept 100% in sync, 100% of the time, OTA. This at least gets us part way there. Podcast syncing over 3G and/or Wifi would I think be the next best step, although complete wireless syncing with iTunes would be required for the solution that I'd really like to see.

[xintelinsanex]

Originally Posted by c4sizzle

The 60-day trial is a very smart idea. Apple is using it as an opportunity for users to get acclimated to the software and features and if we do choose to dive in, we'll be ready. Also, don't forget if you buy a Mac, i believe you receive a 30% discount on MobileMe. I have heard of amazon also providing discounts within that range. 70 bucks is definitely a lot more palatable.

Well they have always had the 60 day trial thing for .Mac, so I don't really find that as a wow factor. I would have expected a trial period. I still don't think it is worth it. I read everyone's opinions and everyone has good reasons for paying for the service, but I can't see myself shelling out 100 a year to keep my email address.

[CrazEtooN]

Originally Posted by xintelinsanex

Well they have always had the 60 day trial thing for .Mac, so I don't really find that as a wow factor. I would have expected a trial period. I still don't think it is worth it. I read everyone's opinions and everyone has good reasons for paying for the service, but I can't see myself shelling out 100 a year to keep my email address.

You are more than welcome to your opinion, but you are short changing the service. Apple has offered Exchange services to everyone. This is something that has never been done before for such a low price.

You aren't just paying for the mail address. If you will never use the push calender, contacts, and you don't need push mail, and you will never use photo syncing, then of course it isn't a good deal. If you are like me and have wished you could have those things for years, it is an excellent deal. I have always hated the functionality that Exchange and BES users have had on their WinMo and BB devices while the only thing I got was push mail.

It is just another subjective service, but no matter what, it is a good value.

[Galley]

Amazon.com is selling it for $70, and I even saw someone selling it for $56 today.

[xintelinsanex]

Originally Posted by Galley

Amazon.com is selling it for $70, and I even saw someone selling it for $56 today.

$70 is not bad, considering everyone gets upgraded for free. The price is easier to swallow than $100/year.

[CrazEtooN]

$99/12= $8.25

$8.25/30= $.28

If you need to, just break it down to the ridiculous and you will see how inexpensive it is. It is roughly 28 cents a day to have the MobileMe service, or $8.25 a month. One less McDonalds trip a month and it is paid for.

[cfd954]

I currently have .mac and have to say that it is a great deal as it includes web hosting with domain name support. I used to be paying $12 a month for basic hosting through yahoo and now I pay only $99 max a year for hosting so it is already a savings. In addition I also get great email and syncing for my mac so when they launch mobile me I am getting even more added value. Either way I would suggest trying the 60 day free trial and seeing if it is right for you, thats what I did and I have been sold ever since.

[jasonact]

Originally Posted by piecinitup

I'm really happy they're allowing a 60-day trial. I really like the concept of this thing but in the back of my mind I could see myself barely using the full functionality. Plus, it kinda pisses me off that I would have to have ANOTHER new email address, if I could use it with my Gmail address, i'll be all over it for sure.

Of course you can use it with Gmail. Just forward all of your Gmail to the .me email address (you can set this up in Gmail settings). You don't have to give out that .me address to other people, and your Gmail will be pushed to you through your MobileMe account. This is what I'm planning on doing.