According to 9to5Mac MobileMe sales haven’t stopped instead they surmise that Apple is simply moving MobileMe subscriptions to online ordering only.
However, as they pointed out you can only join MobileMe under a 60-day trail. Paying for it isn’t currently possible and you cannot currently order the boxed version.
I think that starting March 2nd we will see MobileMe subscriptions that will be for sale in the Mac App Store.
What do you think?
[via 9to5Mac]
David W. Martin has more than 20 years of experience in the industry as a programmer, systems and business analyst, author, and consultant. David has written for CNET’s iPhoneatlas.com, MacLife.com, CultofMac.com, BYTE.com and recently for aNewDoman.net. He comes to Cult of Mac’s website with deep knowledge and passion for the all things Apple. Follow David on Twitter @david_w_martin or see what he’s up to now at davidwmartin.com.
37 responses to “MobileMe Goes Virtual – Will It Go On Sale In Mac App Store?”
I can def see something like that happening. I would love to see it as a free service.
Apple needs something cloud-based to counter Google’s Gmail/Google Cal/Wireless Sync service. Having a MobileMe (and especially letting people have their own @me or @apple.com email accounts) would definitely help that along.
IS APPLE NOT GOING TO REST UNTIL ALL OF IT’S CUSTOMERS HAVE CREDIT CARDS ON FILE! Seriously, this is a piss off because I was going to buy it but arn’t getting a line of credit to do so. DAMN you Apple. Damn you.
I expect Apple will make its basic services free (mail, contacts, calendar, photo gallery, and the new social networking stuff that is rumored) to join the Find my iPhone feature. Meanwhile, higher-end features like iDisk, web hosting, and the locker cloud services for iTunes will require a subscription.
This makes sense in theory, but we’ll have to wait and see. It’s quite possible it will all remain a paid service, but that Apple will make the fee more reasonable.
Their is no need to put Cloud based services, even with subscriptions, in the Mac App Store. I think they are just getting rid of the boxes.
I think next week they will announce a new feature or two for MobileMe. I think they will still charge $99 for the service. They may make some of them free like they did with “Find My iPhone”, but I can’t see them refunding $99 to willfully paying customers. No freebie.
I think it will either be free or reduced price. $99 is too much especially if you rarely use iDisk.
You do know that just because you have a credit card that doesn’t mean you have to keep a balance on it, right? I always pay my card off at the end of the month, thus I never pay any interest and it’s easier then dealing with cash.
If so, there goes the no so secret, secret of ordering it on Amazon for $79.
I think current MobileMe subscribers, like me, are going to get screwed if they recently ponied up the dough…
I’m looking forward to a discounted version of MobileMe, there are many free or cheaper alternatives to it in the market that i don’t see the price point being justified.
Why was there even a boxed version of Mobile Me anyway? What comes in the box that’s necessary to deliver as a physical item?
It’s not like Gmail, Dropbox, or any other web services have physical packages to sell…
I just checked my MobileMe account. It was due to renew in March, but now the renewal fee is no longer displayed nor is the date anywhere. Checking the Upgrades page it says $0.00 for added storage at any level. I would say that the service will indeed be free once again like the good ole .Mac days.
I agree with tim817. Why would you put a cloud based service in the App Store. The box has always been a waste. Not very “green” and not very cost effective.
kavok – i just checked my MobileMe account and all fees are still applicable.
Just checked mine. The defaults are $0.00 but if I select an upgrade option it lets me do it and updates the price. Is that different from what you’re seeing?
Are you in the Account Options page? Mine still says that the renewal is $99. It is set to expire in April, but I have already migrated everything over to Gmail.
It would never be sold in Mac App Store because many iPhone/iPad/iPod owners aren’t Mac owners and use Windows. How would those people get access to a paid Mobile Me. It seems to me its more likely to be free from now on than anything else.
My thoughts exactly. I paid $65 thru Amazon in November – so it wouldn’t be as bad as someone who just renewed, but as Karl said to the Dahli Lama, “How ’bout a lil’ something for the effort?”.
So whats going to happen to us PC folks??? We dont have a mac app store… IF the subscriptions are through the mac app store, then all us PC folks are screwed…
Interesting and informative post
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