Amazon runs out of stock of MobileMe
updated 09:30 pm EDT, Fri May 13, 2011
Orders now handled by reseller
Amazon, a popular discounter and reseller of Apple's MobileMe retail box, has run out of stock and is now using a reseller, The Factory Depot, to fulfill orders. The change comes nearly three months after Apple warned resellers it was discontinuing the boxed edition of the service, which only contained a code used to pay for or renew an annual subscription to MobileMe.
Apart from other resellers who may have remaining stock, MobileMe is now only available as a free trial from Apple. The option to buy MobileMe is not to be found on Apple's online store, even with the purchase of a new computer.
Some users have reported that they have found their expiration dates extended automatically to prevent any interruption of service, and rumors have abounded for months that the service will soon receive a major overhaul -- based in part on a mention by Apple CEO Steve Jobs in an e-mail to a customer.
The Factory Depot's arrangement to fulfill MobileMe orders through Amazon allows for a slight price break -- the individual box is listed as "in stock" and sells for $91, or 10 percent off the retail purchase price. Family packs are available for $133, an 11 percent savings. Other resellers also offer the current and older editions of the MobileMe box through Amazon.
