Yeah, not should or will, but when? Times are changing, storage is very cheap, and bandwidth is becoming very cheap also. Google are putting together an ecosystem that is everywhere and free! Not to mention it should be obvious to everyone that in the next 8 years Google will develop their own OS. The idea of making Mobile me free is to get all Mac users to use it, rather than something else, to open up a Mobile me API, so guys like 280 Slides can make compelling apps for mobile me, and to not only get people to use Apple rather than Google, but to make the Mac, OS X, and its apps more powerful, appealing and compelling. But the number 1 reason to make it free is to sell Macs.
If Apple greatly improved Mobile me, opened up an API, and made it free I believe they would sell many Macs because of it, and it would be a great gesture to their loyal users, that yes, we're a company, and yes we care about the bottom line, but we also care about our users, and we're today going to prove that. Times are changing, and I think it's time Apple did too.
What this would do for all Mac users, new and old, and the company's image would be huge, and I'd suspect the money they make from more new computer and iPhone sales would greatly exceed the money they make from Mobile me. Not to mention they would grab a whole new group of evangelists with this. People wouldn't even know about it, and when they set up their new computer they'd be over the moon to find this free service that's embedded throughout the OS, and syncs with their other computers, their iPhone and the cloud.
Not if, but when?
The could offer a starter pack for free, similar to the current service, and they could have a pro package for a cost, with 3-5X what the starter pack has for $99. The need a free option though, it would be a good PR move, and a great business move. There's no doubt in my mind, this would sell Macs, and it would get new users into the Apple fold. It should be in their interests to do this, as it would make the Mac very compelling and integrated "out of the box". With no hidden fees. That in my mind would warrant the slogin; "it just works!".
Flame me all you want, Mobile me should be free. Not cheaper, or cheap, but totally free! And please don't say how could they afford to make it free, I explained how above.
If Apple greatly improved Mobile me, opened up an API, and made it free I believe they would sell many Macs because of it, and it would be a great gesture to their loyal users, that yes, we're a company, and yes we care about the bottom line, but we also care about our users, and we're today going to prove that. Times are changing, and I think it's time Apple did too.
What this would do for all Mac users, new and old, and the company's image would be huge, and I'd suspect the money they make from more new computer and iPhone sales would greatly exceed the money they make from Mobile me. Not to mention they would grab a whole new group of evangelists with this. People wouldn't even know about it, and when they set up their new computer they'd be over the moon to find this free service that's embedded throughout the OS, and syncs with their other computers, their iPhone and the cloud.
Not if, but when?
The could offer a starter pack for free, similar to the current service, and they could have a pro package for a cost, with 3-5X what the starter pack has for $99. The need a free option though, it would be a good PR move, and a great business move. There's no doubt in my mind, this would sell Macs, and it would get new users into the Apple fold. It should be in their interests to do this, as it would make the Mac very compelling and integrated "out of the box". With no hidden fees. That in my mind would warrant the slogin; "it just works!".
Flame me all you want, Mobile me should be free. Not cheaper, or cheap, but totally free! And please don't say how could they afford to make it free, I explained how above.
Mavericks will be a free download. Trust me.
Mavericks will be a free download. Trust me.
