Apple offers sneak peek of new .Mac webmail
Apple Computer later this year will offer members of its Internet services something familiar -- a complete overhaul of its .Mac webmail service with an interface that directly mimics its Mac OS X Mail application.
"The new .Mac webmail is coming soon, and you'll feel like you've seen it before," the company wrote in a preview of the new service on the .Mac website. "With its smart use of the latest web technology, it'll remind you of the Mail application on your desktop, with a simple and elegant interface, drag-and-drop capability, built-in Address Book, and more."
The new webmail interface will more conveniently positions mail folders next to the Inbox, and allow member to read full messages and access their contact info without leaving the page.
Members will also be able to manage their inbox by dragging and dropping messages (including multiple messages at the same time) and read entire messages in a pane located below the message list, just like in the Mac OS X Mail application.
".Mac webmail keeps page reloads to a minimum, by refreshing only the portion of the page that needs updating, instead of reloading the entire page," Apple added in its description of the impending enhancements.
The new version of .Mac webmail will also add a "Quick Reply" function that will allow members to dash off a response without leaving their Inbox, and build-in Address Book support.
Other new features coming to the service include keyboard shortcuts, message flagging and message previews, Apple said.
In addition to webmail, .Mac offers members one-click web publishing and photocasting, file syncing, and simplified digital media backup. A one-year subscription to the service costs $99, but Apple is currently running a promotion that offers $30 off annual membership with the purchase of any Mac system. The promo ends October 16, 2006.
"The new .Mac webmail is coming soon, and you'll feel like you've seen it before," the company wrote in a preview of the new service on the .Mac website. "With its smart use of the latest web technology, it'll remind you of the Mail application on your desktop, with a simple and elegant interface, drag-and-drop capability, built-in Address Book, and more."
The new webmail interface will more conveniently positions mail folders next to the Inbox, and allow member to read full messages and access their contact info without leaving the page.
Members will also be able to manage their inbox by dragging and dropping messages (including multiple messages at the same time) and read entire messages in a pane located below the message list, just like in the Mac OS X Mail application.
".Mac webmail keeps page reloads to a minimum, by refreshing only the portion of the page that needs updating, instead of reloading the entire page," Apple added in its description of the impending enhancements.
The new version of .Mac webmail will also add a "Quick Reply" function that will allow members to dash off a response without leaving their Inbox, and build-in Address Book support.
Other new features coming to the service include keyboard shortcuts, message flagging and message previews, Apple said.
In addition to webmail, .Mac offers members one-click web publishing and photocasting, file syncing, and simplified digital media backup. A one-year subscription to the service costs $99, but Apple is currently running a promotion that offers $30 off annual membership with the purchase of any Mac system. The promo ends October 16, 2006.
Comments
I reallly have not taken the time to use all that it offers, so for me, it's just an expensive e-mail account. And now i'm starting to get spam with it, the main reason I've kept it....to be spam free.
I have until next year to decide......
Frank D.
Yeah, I've really been starting to think wether I should keep my .mac account.
.mac clearly is in its infancy. They could turn this into a sleek MySpace experience with lots of opportunities to network (expand your address book), share your pictures (homepage) and even purchase movies, tv shows and music. I'm actually getting excited writing this.
As to the refreshed Mail look. Yes, it does look very stunning. If only someone could show me how to use it
or one could actually use my space... .mac should be free!
.mac clearly is in its infancy. They could turn this into a sleek MySpace experience with lots of opportunities to network (expand your address book), share your pictures (homepage) and even purchase movies, tv shows and music. I'm actually getting excited writing this.
As to the refreshed Mail look. Yes, it does look very stunning. If only someone could show me how to use it
Why do you need someone to show you how to use it?
It looks the same as the Mail client that has shipped with Mac OS X for the last 4 years.
But, I agree that .Mac has a lot of untapped potential.
I am disappointed that the sneek peak says nothing about the "notes" and "To Do" features that are being added to Mail in leopard.
If I'm creating a "to do" list on my computer, I want it synced to .Mac as well.
They also need to have a better implementation of web calendars.
I've had .Mac since the beginning and am up for renewal.
I just bought the .Mac Family Pack for $134 shipped from amazon
When did the current version of .Mac come out? Does Apple usually upgrade the service or the features with each "generation" of .Mac?
They usually upgrade .mac around September/October.
This looks extremely promising. If it works as fast and as well as Gmail as well, they're on to a winner. I almost want to go out and buy a .Mac account, even though I'm a power user and honestly don't require something like that!
Would that really help? Gmail is free, save for the fairly unobtrusive ads. How is that going to be a selling point?
Also, did anyone else notice Apple using BOOBIES to try to sell .Mac? I keep getting this feeling we're being completely played by Jobsey. Between lying about the intel deal then creating Mactel, partnerships with Disney, Cingular, U2 and Nike and now Boobie-advertising, it's starting to feel pretty un-special to be a mac-user vs. PC. There really isn't any high ground left, is there?
This looks extremely promising. If it works as fast and as well as Gmail as well, they're on to a winner. I almost want to go out and buy a .Mac account, even though I'm a power user and honestly don't require something like that!
I don't know if you could really say that Gmail "works well." I've been incredibly screwed over twice now by Google just *not* delivering mail and losing it entirely—once ingoing and once outgoing (screwed over as in losing out on a really fucking amazing job, for example).
I've just started to tell people that I'm switching to mac.com, which makes this a welcome surprise.
Also, did anyone else notice Apple using BOOBIES to try to sell .Mac?
It's a woman.
In a bikini.
Showing some skin.
BIG
DEAL.
I don't know if you could really say that Gmail "works well." I've been incredibly screwed over twice now by Google just *not* delivering mail and losing it entirely?once ingoing and once outgoing (screwed over as in losing out on a really fucking amazing job, for example).
I've just started to tell people that I'm switching to mac.com, which makes this a welcome surprise.
No offense intended, but if you're relying on a free email service for important messages....
BTW, it's an honor to have the prince of darkness at AI!
Well, I guess if they put this much effort into Webmail then hopefully we'll be seeing some major changes. Like a REAL Homepage. I'm giving you one more year .Mac.