Rumor backs MobileMe revamp in April, current version split
updated 12:25 pm EDT, Fri March 18, 2011
MobileMe said getting April remix, separate split
Rumors surrounding MobileMe getting an overhaul in April were given minor support Friday through a fresh claim. A staffer at a "major educational institution" has warned that the present-day MobileMe is no longer available and that Apple is officially telling newcomers to sign up for 60-day trials as a stopgap before the new version. In an unexpected turn, the iLounge tip also said that the "existing version" would be supported for a year, implying that some services would either change or go away.
While unconfirmed, the timeline backs both the original rumor of an April date as well as the rapid phaseout of for-sale copies of MobileMe. Apple has officially said that it planned to use its new North Carolina datacenter for a MobileMe upgrade in the spring.
Most have presumed on corroborating leaks and rumors that the upgrade would shift to an online media locker that would give iOS device owners, as well as owners of multiple computers, a way to reach music, photos and possibly videos through cloud storage. It might also enable unlimited re-downloads for missing iTunes purchases and a way to stream purchased videos, not just rentals, directly from an Apple TV.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2010
Looking forward
to the new service. There is a lot of things they could do with it to make it more useful.
One thing though. I've hated the MobileMe moniker since it was announced. It was .mac when it came out, I signed up for the .mac e-mail address, and then they changed it to MobileMe. The name seems so narcissistic and shallow, I really dislike it. I hope they change the name for a first step.