[wwelsh39]

You're right! I should have said it's too expensive for what I'd get out of it. I don't hate "Mobile Me" I just don't see the need for me and by using Gmail, Gmail's contact, Google Calendar, I get what I need.

[Jeter2Fan93]

For photos, I've been using the Picasa Web Plugin for iPhoto and publishing my photos to Picasa Web Albums.

[maddoguk]

I didn't renew my mobileme subscription (stopped on 28th!) because I can no longer justify the cost. I don't use an iPhone or Safari and GMail/calendar/etc do everything I need.
It's a case of when needs must you find suitable alternatives and there are plenty.

[anothersite]

Add me to the MobileMe, and its precursors, just work camp. Time is money, and MobileMe does what I want with a minimum of fuss and muss.

[rab777hp]

I see many things missing here, first of all, many of Google's services, such as picasa, also, windows live skydrive, for storing files, also, to sync address book with gmail with the built in preference, you must connect an iPod to your computer, at least once.

[dvh]

DropBox is free for up to 2 GIG. Works "real" well and blows away MobileMe for syncing files between multiple computers.

[JoeKissell]

coolfactor said:

"you can replicate MobileMe’s functionality but get greater flexibility and much lower cost."

I take issue with this. For example, in your article, you outline several services that replace just a part of MobileMe.

Let's say I used the following services:
- DropBox - $99/yr
- GoDaddy - $60/yr

Just those two alone cost $159, and we've barely touched the full capabilities of MobileMe.

Yes, they do add up to more money, but it depends on what you need. If you want loads of storage space, MySQL databases, PHP support, and a boatload of other features, then I daresay those other services are worth the $60 premium.For example, GoDaddy lets you use your own domain name for email; MobileMe doesn't. DropBox gives you 50 GB of storage per year vs. MobileMe's 20. I'm a MobileMe member myself (heck, I wrote a book on it!), but it doesn't begin to meet all my needs for Internet services, so I like knowing what the other options are.

Joe

[JoeKissell]

meta said:

I deduce that Joe Kissell has an iPhone.

Because the "Synchronize with Google" option in Address Book only appears if you have an iPhone.

You are indeed correct. I do have an iPhone, and somehow I failed to realize that this was what enabled that option. Very sorry for any confusion I may have inadvertently caused!

So, I guess the solution is for everyone to buy an iPhone - that'll make the article completely accurate! :-)

Joe

[JoeKissell]

rab777hp said:

I see many things missing here, first of all, many of Google's services, such as picasa, also, windows live skydrive, for storing files, also, to sync address book with gmail with the built in preference, you must connect an iPod to your computer, at least once.

Yes, there are many other options, and I wish I could have covered more but I had to work within certain space constraints.

Joe

[Sigil]

These aren't (true) alternatives to MobileMe.

[JoeKissell]

Sigil said:

These aren't (true) alternatives to MobileMe.

They're alternatives. They're not identical, of course, and no single package gives you all the pieces you get with MobileMe. If you want exactly what MobileMe offers, then, of course, get MobileMe! What I wanted to point out here is that for people who don't find MobileMe to be the ideal combination of features and price, there are...other ways to get most of the same features.

Joe

[dwd3885]

why no mention of Microsoft's SkyDrive? It's free and offers 25GB of online storage.. There is no app to download, so you can use it on ANY computer.
And I'll second nuevasync, it rocks!

[JoeKissell]

dwd3885 said:

why no mention of Microsoft's SkyDrive? It's free and offers 25GB of online storage.. There is no app to download, so you can use it on ANY computer.

There are oodles of online storage services - no way to mention them all!

Joe

[wjackman]

I agree with the notion that MobileMe is a good deal. It syncs all kinds of stuff without problem and provides a pretty large amount of storage space for the average user. Also, the complaints are based around the $99 cost of the service, when in fact, nobody should have to pay that much for it since it is easily available for less on Amazon.com. I paid $55 for my year, which puts a different light on the cost comparison. I don't see how an iPhone user can do without MobileMe for that price.