Apple is constantly making “under-the-hood” improvements to its consumer-oriented MobileMe service. These tweaks include faster and more reliable calendar synchronization, webpage display, and iPhone integration.

For those who haven’t checked out MobileMe in a while, it is Apple’s comprehensive remote services offering for the home user. MobileMe’s core components include:

• Mail: synchronized with Apple Mail. MobileMe now has an improved appearance and even better performance. You can view multiple e-mail accounts, format your e-mail, and archive your e-mail while online. The new MobileMe mail also sports stronger security and improved junk mail filtering.
• Calendar: synchronized with your iCal. Keep your data private with password protection or public with a URL you select. Your choice.

• Contacts: synchronized with your Mac’s Address Book. Now, if you’ve got Internet access, you’ve got your addresses no matter where you are or what kind of computer you’re using.
• Gallery: synchronized with iPhoto. Put your pictures on the web as easy as can be. Wedding? Camping trip? Graduation? Your friends and relatives can see your photos of the event while you’re still there.
• iDisk: synchronize 20 gigabytes or more between your computer and the cloud. Exchange big files. Synchronize important data between multiple computers.
• Find My iPhone: Lost your iPhone? Using MobileMe, you can find it online, complete with a map and directions to your trusty phone. If it falls into the wrong hands, you can even remotely erase your iPhone’s data. MobileMe now has improved finding and an app for the iPhone that lets you find other phones with username and password protection.
• iWeb: Apple gives you a turnkey website easily updated with iWeb. You can use the super-simple Apple address that comes with your account or even host your own domain on your MobileMe account.

Think all this capability costs a fortune? Think again. We sell a subscription for all this — mail, web, synchronization, 20 GB remote storage, and much more — for only $99 per year. You can get a family subscription (5 individual accounts with a total of 40 GB remote storage) for only $149 per year. And remember when comparing your MobileMe account with so-called “free” e-mail services that Apple doesn’t put advertisements in your mail program over which you have no control. Plus, Apple doesn’t mine your e-mail for data.

Talk to Chesapeake Systems for help with purchasing, setting up, and training on MobileMe services. Call us at 410.243.1023 or send us an email to buy it today. Though built as a consumer service, MobileMe is finding its way into the business world. It’s clear that Apple will continue to expand on its commitment to The Cloud in the years ahead. MobileMe is the pathway now.

About the Author:
Clark Riley met Steve Jobs when he introduced the Apple computer, has been an Apple user since the Apple II, and purchased one of the first Macs. Our Senior Field Engineer is known for specializing in all aspects of print graphics but particularly fonts. In his spare time, Clark produces a linguistics and archaeology journal, is an avid orchid grower, and practices amateur photography.