Apple iCloud Launches as MobileMe Fails

Apple Cloud Computing Services "Part Deux"

Apple introduced Mobile Me in June 2008 to the much traditional Apple hype and frenetic press coverage. Apple’s launched Mobile Me charging $99 and now it is accepting refund requests because the service is now free.  (see below).  Effective June 6, 2011, if you had an active MobileMe account from Apple, your service has been automatically extended through June 30, 2012, at no additional charge. The MobileMe service will no longer be available after June 30, 2012 because Apple is re-branding or re-launching MobileMe cloud services as iCloud.  iCloud will be launching later this month which is Apple's second try at charging for cloud computing services.

On a positive note, Apple will be disrupting the carriers $36 billion dollar text messaging business which is great for consumers.  Here are the details on the service now being offered for free.  All of your MobileMe mail, contacts and calendars will be moved to iCloud and you will retain your me.com or mac.com email address. Its short notice, but MobileMe Family and storage upgrades won’t be available after today and you can no longer create a new MobileMe account or start a two-month trial after June 6, 2011. People with unused activation codes obtained with a MobileMe box purchase can submit a Mobile Me refund request.

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