Next step: Integrate MobileMe and iWork into a single product.

[kb152]

Doesn't this seem like the logical next step? iPhone 3g will be able to read iWork documents. If everyone who ordered iWork got MobileMe for free (or vice versa), and the iPhone was brought up to read/write capability for iWork documents, then Apple would be competing directly with google services.

The more I think about it, the more the new service and iWork seem like two sides of the same coin. In fact, I start to wonder if either can be truly successful without the other.

 

[ryan]

That's what Cringely predicted in his column his column last week:

Given the code Apple already has for its iWork applications, how much more effort would it take to webify those apps, too? Not much, I'd say. A year from now I guarantee you that MobileMe will offer a complete suite of web-based Office applications.

 

[antibact1]

Basic economics - this will never happen. They have two products that people will buy, one of which requires an annual subscription. Why merge them together and make less profit? Also, MobileMe offers far more than just Office functionality.

 

[kb152]

Basic economics - this will never happen. They have two products that people will buy, one of which requires an annual subscription. Why merge them together and make less profit? Also, MobileMe offers far more than just Office functionality.

merging them would bring them to a much larger audience. the big question everyone (who isn't a macaholic) asks when presented with MobileMe/.Mac is, "why should i pay for what i can get from google for free?"

there would be some loss of profit, but i'm not convinced this wouldn't be more than made up for in the number of people that would be brought into apple's orbit. the "halo effect." i think it would get a lot more macs in people's homes and offices.

 

[kb152]

That's what Cringely predicted in his column his column last week:

interesting. thanks for the link!