Apple unwraps next MobileMe Mail in beta form


Company keeps its subscription cloud service rolling with some new changes to Mail.

MobileMe users are stumbling across an invitation to check out a beta version of the service's Web Mail app. While nothing Earths shattering, it's at least encouraging to see Apple investing in existing MobileMe tools for improvement.

Recently we've been hearing rumors that Apple may make MobileMe free, which would be great. It's a great companion service for the company's various products that certainly would help move more boxes. At the very least we would like to see it free for a year with a purchase of a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, for example. Or even just a huge price cut. We're fans, but even the discounted $69 a year is a bit steep for what's available elsewhere for free or less money.

Anyway... The new features include a Widescreen and compact views to make reading email easier. This should reduce vertical scrolling, particularly when using a spiffy widescreen iMac. The beta also offers new rules to assist in managing email from a Mac, PC, or iDevice. Another nifty feature allows easier archiving, and also added is a formatting toolbar for creating media rich email. The beta also offers improved performance and security with SSL protection on all devices, both of which are always welcome.

To check out the beta, log into your MobileMe account and request an invitation. Apple says the service works best with Safari 4, Firefox 3.6 and IE 8.

The Next MobileMe Mail. Now in Beta

Via TUAW