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July 1 - 3:35pm EDT
Apple has detailed a series of recent changes to MobileMe, its online hosting and sync service. Many of these are iPhone related, for instance allowing iPhone 3GS owners to upload a video to a Gallery album, or if no album exists, create a new one automatically. Contacts and calendars can be merged on the first sync of an iPhone or iPod touch, and when deleting a MobileMe account or disabling sync, handheld devices retain information. This includes associations between ringtones and contacts. [full story]
June 22 - 3:35pm EDT
Apple's Find My iPhone feature, which locates missing devices through iPhone 3.0 and a MobileMe subscription, has received what may have been its first practical test. Blogger Kevin Miller notes that while in Chicago for a Lego convention, an iPhone of his disappeared after visiting a bar. Unable to find it at the bar, Miller turned to a friend's MacBook Pro, which could access MobileMe using a 3G USB modem. [full story]
June 20 - 6:15pm EDT
One of the most anticipated features of the new iPhone OS 3.0 is the ability to find lost devices using Apple's MobileMe web service, which requires an annual fee. Find My iPhone plots the location of a missing phone on a map, allows users to flash a message on the screen and play an alert tone. If all else fails, the user can remotely erase any personal data on an iPhone. We at Electronista and MacNN are taking a quick look at how it works and whether it's worth the investment. [full story]
June 9 - 11:55am EDT
Quietly announced alongside iPhone 3.0 features and the iPhone 3GS yesterday was a forthcoming iDisk app, Apple's website reveals. Though not yet on the App Store, the software should allow MobileMe subscribers to access files in a remote iDisk folder. Folders can either be protected personal ones, or those designated as public by other subscribers. [full story]
June 8 - 3:25pm EDT
Apple has formally unveiled its iPhone 3.0 firmware at this year's WWDC keynote. The software includes 100 new features, including cut, copy and paste functions, as well as the ability to type in landscape mode. MMS messaging has also been integrated, allowing longer text and WAP delivery of content such as images, audio and video. MMS service will be available in 29 countries, with AT&T support coming later this summer. [full story]
April 30 - 7:50am EDT
Apple's update to the iPhone this year will not only be necessary for the new video recording feature but will also have a better display, according to a purported leak from those with access to the new hardware. Without entering into detail, the source for BusinessWeek says the 2009 refresh has an "improved screen" beyond the 320x480 LCD that has been a staple of the iPhone since 2007. Whether this is a resolution increase or a change to a different display technology, such as AMOLED (active matrix organic light-emitting diode), isn't known. [full story]
April 27 - 2:55pm EDT
The next version of QuickTime, QuickTime X, should incorporate features for uploading directly to media sharing sites, people experienced with the current beta say. The video playback software is described as having a new "Share" menu, offering the ability to upload to YouTube without a separate encoder or browser. Options should also include uploading to MobileMe Galleries, the only requirement for any upload being login info. [full story]
April 23 - 6:30pm EDT
An anonymous post on the imageboard 4chan.org has provided MobileMe login details for Hollywood actress Salma Hayek, according to Electronic Pulp. The account apparently was not incredibly difficult to hack, carrying the address of shayek@mac.com. The intruders did not need her password, they simply used the "forgot password" option to access the contents. [full story]
March 19 - 9:45am EDT
Two unexpected features are in place within the iPhone 3.0 beta firmware, separate sources have uncovered. In uploading a custom carrier settings file, an Irish programmer has discovered that tethering -- using an phone as a computer's cellular modem -- is already functional in the developer seed of iPhone 3.0. The feature was announced during Apple's Tuesday press event, but at the time was claimed to require carrier participation for support. [full story]
March 3 - 4:20pm EST
In tandem with the release of the new dual-band Time Capsule, Apple has expanded the functionality of MobileMe, which can now be used to remotely access files held on a Capsule. Drives must be registered through a user's MobileMe account, but then appear in a remote Mac's Finder sidebar, allowing file transfer. The technology functions similarly to the Back to My Mac function in Mac OS X Leopard, and in fact is not compatible with Windows computers. [full story]
February 27 - 3:35pm EST
MobileMe subscribers are again being targeted in an updated phishing scam, investigation reveals. Similarly to earlier attempts, the scam beings with an e-mail, prompting people to update their credit card information in advance of an upcoming renewal date. A link is provided to log into MobileMe, but in reality it guides users to a different domain -- "http.apple-billing.me.uk" -- which spoofs the design of the Apple online store, and tricks unwitting visitors into sharing credit card data. [full story]
February 13 - 1:10pm EST
Apple has announced that the iDisk service, a feature of MobileMe, can now be used to share large files. Rather than attempt to e-mail files that contain large amounts of data, users can upload the content to a public folder in their iDisk account. After choosing the individuals to share the information with, iDisk will automatically send e-mails containing a download link. The recipient can then access the files or even post their own documents into the folder. [full story]
February 11 - 9:15pm EST
MobileMe users have been victimized in another phishing scam designed to steal their credit card information, according to Macworld. The criminals followed a similar plan to the scams reported in August and September of last year, distributing an e-mail disguised as genuine communication from Apple. The recent e-mail told readers their annual subscription was up for renewal, but that "attempts to charge your credit card have failed." The provided link then navigated to a malicious site that asked for credit card information. [full story]
February 11 - 9:30am EST
Apple has released version 1.3 of the MobileMe Control Panel for Windows. The panel is a required tool for users wanting to sync and manage MobileMe and iDisk in Windows. In the update, improvements have been made to the speed of contact and calendar sync between MobileMe and Microsoft Outlook. [full story]
February 6 - 2:45pm EST
Microsoft today inadvertently tipped its hand for Mobile World Congress by posting an introductory page for its My Phone mobile sync service (since pulled). The feature is the formal version of SkyBox and appears a close parallel to Apple's MobileMe meant for Windows Mobile 6 devices. It lets users sync up to 200MB of documents and media with a secure online space and lets owners published synced calendars, contacts and photos to the web. [full story]