While I did notice some weird things on my MAC, our website and even my iPhone behaviors, I attributed these to the transition and determined that I wouldn't call Apple's help desk. Apple did alert customers to the upcoming changes and I did anticipate issues but because of that "love" I have for Apple, I didn't burden their call center.
In Apple's message, they state they are extending "loyal customers" MobileMe subscriptions FREE for 30 days. Thanks!
What does MobileMe do?
From my MAC, iPhone, company laptops or any PC anywhere, I have access to my synchronized files including those backed up on our host account (MobileMe) along with movies and songs stored there too; access to our individual and shared calendars; access to my contact list and photos and our email. So MobileMe is a shift, it seems, to the cloud for greater dependence or independence for those on the move. Use the cloud to glue all our stuff so we can access and share our stuff from anywhere from most devices anytime.
What does MobileMe not do?
There's no integration of voice mail or fax or services provided to include either. Our fax is forwarded to email automatically but it would be cool and probably a few dollars a month cheaper if MobileMe provided this. The same is true with voice mail--we already forward voice mail messages to email. So is it really an issue? I don't think so.
So you can tell me whether or not I have unified messaging or unified communications or something else. I can tell you that I am among the reported 1.5 million SMBs that still doesn't have an on-premise server, and Apple charges me about a hundred bucks a year for the service, which also hosts our website and files.
Critical Analysis or Hey PC!
Question 1 - How many Microsoft users have Microsoft stickers on their cars? I sport Apple's.
Question 2 - How many Microsoft users get an email apologizing for inconveniences and a credit? I got one from Apple.
Question 3 - How many Microsoft users are forgiving of software and network issues caused by Microsoft? I still forgave Apple.
Okay, so the analysis isn't too deep and by now you maybe envisioning the MAC guy taunting the PC guy as seen on television. Now, knowing Apple, and that grass never stays beneath their feet very long, I wonder what's coming next?
Unifying users doesn't have to be an awful experience or one that everyone wishes would end or one that no one seems to know who is going to pay for and how. Whatever it is that I'm missing about UC doesn't have me up at nights wondering. Thanks Apple for the experience and for reminding the critics that you still deliver. UC, I think is going to be a similar migration path such as that in telephony. The constant is change and as humans we can take so much and still be forgiving, especially when we're rewarded and didn't feel the need to begin with. I believe Apple's "Menu" will change and improve and include convergence. This is what I call "Apple Sauce." Below is Apple's Memo.
We have recently completed the transition from .Mac to MobileMe. Unfortunately, it was a lot rockier than we had hoped.
Although core services such as Mail, iDisk, Sync, Back to My Mac, and Gallery went relatively smoothly, the new MobileMe web applications had lots of problems initially. Fortunately we have worked through those problems and the web apps are now up and running.
Another snag we have run into is our use of the word "push" in describing everything under the MobileMe umbrella. While all email, contact or calendar changes on the iPhone and the web apps are immediately synced to and from the MobileMe "cloud," changes made on a PC or Mac take up to 15 minutes to sync with the cloud and your other devices. So even though things are indeed instantly pushed to and from your iPhone and the web apps today, we are going to stop using the word "push" until it is near-instant on PCs and Macs, too.
We want to apologize to our loyal customers and express our appreciation for their patience by giving all current subscribers an automatic 30-day extension to their MobileMe subscription free of charge. Your extension will be reflected in your account settings within the next few weeks.
We hope you enjoy your new suite of web applications at me.com, in addition to keeping your iPhone and iPod touch wirelessly in sync with these new web applications and your Mac or PC.
Thank you
Although core services such as Mail, iDisk, Sync, Back to My Mac, and Gallery went relatively smoothly, the new MobileMe web applications had lots of problems initially. Fortunately we have worked through those problems and the web apps are now up and running.
Another snag we have run into is our use of the word "push" in describing everything under the MobileMe umbrella. While all email, contact or calendar changes on the iPhone and the web apps are immediately synced to and from the MobileMe "cloud," changes made on a PC or Mac take up to 15 minutes to sync with the cloud and your other devices. So even though things are indeed instantly pushed to and from your iPhone and the web apps today, we are going to stop using the word "push" until it is near-instant on PCs and Macs, too.
We want to apologize to our loyal customers and express our appreciation for their patience by giving all current subscribers an automatic 30-day extension to their MobileMe subscription free of charge. Your extension will be reflected in your account settings within the next few weeks.
We hope you enjoy your new suite of web applications at me.com, in addition to keeping your iPhone and iPod touch wirelessly in sync with these new web applications and your Mac or PC.
Thank you
