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Apple Discontinuing MobileMe Retail Boxes, Preparing for Free Overhauled Version?

So let me get this straight...Apple recently built a huge multi-billion dollar data center for potential use for a service that they would give away for free? Yeah, right! :rolleyes: MobileMe will always be a paid service
 
j-a-x said:
This makes a lot of sense. Who needs a box? And make it cheaper or free and I'll actually use it. If it was ~$25 per year like Flickr I'd be likely to use it, even if some features were more limited than they are now. Even better if it's free.
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I want/need a box, I like the apple packaging? Like to keep all my original stuff in original boxes! Anyone got a box they fancy sending? I bought mine digitally you see :(
 
BlackMax said:
+1 Same for me. If MobileMe goes free, I'm moving everything from my GMail account to MobileMe.
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+1 Same here. Google shut down my Gmail account once, and didn't even offer a reason. (Presumably I was non a human, but a spammer or something?) Went through all kinds of backflips to get it turned back on, but now I don't trust them. I assume this can/will happen again, or Google may arbitrarily shut down the service without notice one day.

Also, I would not mind at all having Apple keep a copy of all my files for safekeeping, if that is what's going on here. I use an online backup system (Backblaze) but they are not entirely satisfactory. If Apple's MobileMe offered the same service or better, I'd switch.
 
AbblePC said:
I guess what I'm not understanding, why continue to sell a product to people that your about to launch as a free service to new customers?

What are they going to do for those whom have already paid or will in the near future once its launched as a free service, a refund a bigger storage vault etc?
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some people, unlike us, do not follow forums and are therefore not "mis/informed?"
 
Here's hoping the service becomes entirely free, or at least any premium services aren't $100 a year. Hopefully they'll roll out the free before my account renews later this year.
 
I doubt it will be free. I would speculate that there will be additional services with a revised pricing structure.
 
I did not get why an online service had to be sold in boxes in the first place. Reconsideration seems to be in line with Apple's green policy. I do not see any evidence nor particular reason why Apple should offer it for free now.
 
I hope it goes free because everyone knows you can get a MUCH cheaper version from Amazon for $65. I've never paid $99 for MobileMe!
 
awesome.. it's discontiuned in retail form yet they're still selling boxes. Most developers have their stuff pulled off the shelves when that happens.:eek:
 
dagamer34 said:
I hope it goes free because everyone knows you can get a MUCH cheaper version from Amazon for $65. I've never paid $99 for MobileMe!
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This might as well be another reason for Apple to drop provision of boxed versions.
 
I would love for it to be free, but I doubt Apple will shut off a revenue stream. I have been using the service since it was .Mac and with three iPhones in the house, the calendar synch is a great thing. I can put something on the Home calendar and the wife and daughter have it in moments. Free would be great, but I will continue to pay for it. :)
 
Maybe Apple have finally noticed that we're in a bad economic climate, and have decided to cut costs dramatically by ceasing all physical boxed products and switching entirely to digital, thus allowing Apple to decrease the prices they charge to customers?

HA. :rolleyes:
 
My MobileMe just auto-renewed. If they switch to a free model, will apple reimburse the customers that have payed or compensate in some way?
 
I never paid full price for it anyhow..

I always renewed my family pack by purchasing from 3rd party sellers. I usually get family pack keys for around $70 vs the $149 Apple charges.

I've had the same mac.com email addresses since OS 9 was launched and find that invaluable (that was before gmail though)
 
I've been buying codes whenever I find them cheap, usually $30-$40. I'm currently subscribed through 2012. If it does go completely free with the release of Lion, I'm not expecting Apple to give me any compensation. That way I can't be disappointed, but I can be pleasantly surprised if current subscribers get some kind of perk.
 
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If it does go free...

1. I hope the refund those who already renewed for this year.
2. I hope they don't discontinue something. I use all features (iDisk / fie sharing), mail / contacts / calendar syncing, Web mail occasionally, web hosting of my iweb built website, find my iphone (had to use it twice for my wife - she left it in her car and also forgot it at a store once).

While I understand why iDVD is not being updated; please continue to support and update iWeb... I switched to iWeb when MS discontinued FrontPage, and started offering Web Essentials for a higher price; with less options (they removed auto-menu building, guestbook, hit counter, blogs, etc).

I use a lot of the iWeb features heavily and would hate to have to go to separate options:
1. My main website.
2. Wordpress for blogs

http://web.me.com/shervieux
 
The answer is simple and obvious. As Apple stores are eliminated physical software from their shelves, it only makes perfect sense that MobileMe will be moved to the AppStore. Every Mac now ships with it. There's no need to have a physical disc, etc. Not that there was EVER a real reason. But there ya go. Also - with the proliferation of the iPad (no disc drive) and MacBook Air (no drive) - why have physical media anyway?
 
There were rumors about this last May or June. I only use Mobile Me for the email and hosting my websites, so the $99 is a write off but after paying a premium for Apple products I'd love to get the service for free. As a friend of mine would say, "It's nice to want things...".

BTW, Happy Birthday Steve!
 
Eduardo1971 said:
Yeah; I agree too. Apple does love their revenue streams. I can't see them making MobileMe completely free-I also foresee them offering a 'free' entry level tier.
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+1. Perhaps something that would provide some level of free cloud storage like DropBox but charge for mail, calendar and more storage. I imagine that would drop the $99 charge to perhaps $49 for the full-featured MobileMe. I am sure the Apple bean counters have this all figured out - entice users with an entry level product and make more money on folks upgrading. Existing MobileMe users would automatically be transitioned to the higher level.
 
I just renewed a Family Pack (from Amazon) two weeks ago. DOH! :eek:

Hopefully, Apple throws us loyal MobileMe customers (since its inception) a bone. :p How about a free copy of iLife '11.
 
I just spec'd out a new 15'' MBP on the online store and MobileMe is no longer an add-on options with iWork and such. Hmmm...
 
Hopefully they will be giving MobileMe for free. Maybe they will offer email,contacts,calendar and find my iphone for free. The other features for a cost. I don't believe it will be sold around £60 but for the price it sells with if you buy a macbook for example in the past.
 
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