Running the Rumor Mill

It’s a common fact: Apple nearly always update their iPod lines around this time of year. And as is tradition before any Apple event, the rumors start to fly! This years rumors come from a tipster via MacRumors. Interestingly, there are no mentions of an actual iPod line refresh…

MobileMe, iPhone, iPod Touch
-Enable disk use 
-When enabled for disk use, iDisk folder accessible
-iDisk app
-Viewable formats can be opened, other formats grayed out
-Button to sync with MobileMe
-Photo syncing support via MobileMe
-October launch

iTunes Unlimited
-256 Kbps music; highest quality digital music subscription service ever
-50% of U.S. store available for iTunes Unlimited at launch, U.S.-only launch
-Available through iTunes or retail box a la MobileMe, funds applied through iTunes gift cards cannot be used towards subscription purchase
-$129.99 stand-alone or $179.99 with MobileMe, current MobileMe subscribers can add iTunes Unlimited for $99.99
-One-year subscription period
-Current a la carte options unchanged
-When signed in to subscription account, “Buy” is “Get”
-“Download and Play throughout iTunes Unlimited Subscription” or “Buy and Keep”
-“Buy and Keep” option available for downloaded subscription songs, purchased version replaces subscription version
- Late October launch with iTunes 7.8

Disk Use is a big feature that is already available on the rest of the iPod range but one not available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Disk Use would allow them to be used a USB storage devices just like other USB flash drives. I would be interested to see how Apple would (if they even do) implement this. The main reason they haven’t allowed disk use before is because it opens the door to hackers, people Apple have been determined to beat (although they are failing miserably). I don’t know about the likelihood of Apple opening up the device this much, but I wouldn’t be complaining if I had a 16GB flash drive.

Judging from the ‘rocky’ start to MobileMe’s life, one can only presume that Apple have a few new features to show off. iDisk support sounds something along the lines of what Apple would do considering MobileMe’s heavy integration with the iPhone already. I can see a simple app that allows browsing files as you would music. And as all your files are online, there is no need to open up the device as a flash drive, which is in Apple’s interest (see above). This doesn’t seam like anything major to implement and is what I’d say was the most likely to actually happen.

iTunes Unlimited would be a subscription service model allowing you to download all the music you want for the length of your subscription. Mind you, this is nothing that has not been rumored before. In 2007, CNN reported it and in March this year, the Financial Times reported on a similar model. I doubt this model would be popular among the younger population (including myself). Personally, I like to own my own music (however much DRM there is on it) and want to know I will always have it available. Also, 99c for a song is a lot more appealing that $129.99 for a year. Judging from the success of other subscription services, Apple might be tempted to release a service along these lines.

Who knows whether any of these rumors will become reality. After all, there are also rumors of a MacBook and MacBook Pro redesign and it is unlike Apple to bundle so much into one event. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see!

MobileMe: ‘My Extensions Go On!’

Mobile Me Extension!

Today we saw the continuation in the saga of MobileMe, Apple’s consumer answer to Microsoft Exchange. Since it’s official launch there has been no end of trouble for some users. There have been sync issues, email outages and random times when nothing worked. But today, on top of the already promised one month subscription extension, Apple announced that current MobileMe subscribers would get another TWO months (that’s right, count them) on top of the previous one month extension.

 

I think it’s only fair to congratulate Apple on the way they handled this issue (the entire issue). From the moment problems were apparent they recognized them, and didn’t cover them up with the usual PR speak (ok, it was a bit PR-ish):

 

“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.

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.” – 17^th July, 08

 

Transparency like this is rare from most companies. I’ve certainly had my complaints with my cable internet provider on several occasions. Times when they have blamed the problem on the fact I was using a Mac, blamed it on Internet Explorer, and even blamed it on Windows Firewall but never on themselves (who turned out to be at fault). I find it refreshing to know that some companies know how to keep their customers in the loop with problems.

 

From my perspective Apple’s reaction has been fantastic! I have been one of the lucky ones who have had no trouble at all with MobileMe. Not only have I had flawless service, but I receive another three months of it for free! 

Thanks Apple!