Apple Inc. yesterday extended free service to
subscribers of MobileMe, its beleaguered new Internet and syncing service, for an additional 60 days.
The extension comes on top of a free 30-day extension announced July 15, when Apple apologized for a rocky launch.
MobileMe, an upgrade to its previous .Mac service, allows users to publish photos online, store data and use e-mail. It costs $99 a year. A key new feature is the ability to sync e-mail and other data among different computers and an iPhone or iPod touch.
Two weeks ago, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs wrote in an internal e-mail that the unveiling was rushed to coincide with the launch of the iPhone 3G, the update to iPhone software, and the iPhone application store. Jobs called it "simply not up to Apple's standards," according to a leaked e-mail obtained by the Web site Ars Technica.
MobileMe user Imran Anwar, 46, of East Patchogue said he has not yet been able to sync a PC laptop with the service, but "with the Mac, it is almost flawless." He said a problem with duplication of some data wasn't a deal breaker for him.
"For the features and the integration that it offers, it's a bargain" for most people, Anwar said of MobileMe.
Apple software developer Mike O'Connor, 54, of Cold Spring Harbor said he had experienced only minor glitches and he was pleased he could sync his e-mail and contacts with his iPhones, desktop computer and laptop.
"I think it's pretty generous," O'Connor said of the extra two months of service.