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 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.
45 Comments
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!
Hopefully this will be accompanied by a general .Mac upgrade. Maybe a price reduction? Or, *gasp*, an ala carte service? I'll return to dreaming now.
.Mac wants to be free!
Yeah, I've really been starting to think weather I should keep my .mac account. i've had it for about 4 years. Used to be you got some free games, and virex protection, for what that's worth.
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.
Good to see this. The biggest hassle in computing today is the poor integration of data on the web with data on the local machine. Getting and putting data to and from the web is clunky and requires too many steps - copy and paste into text boxes like this one I am typing in now, incompatible formatting (can't just drag a Word or PDF file or image file into this box and have it included - have to open it, copy, switch, paste, etc). HTML requires manual or semi-automatic typing of silly formatting codes that went away with the original Mac in 1984 and are now back. Display a PDF file on the web and try and copy text from it.. yuck... especially if it is two-column layout. Hello?