Apple opens new iPad-like MobileMe Calendar beta

Apple has launched its new beta V2 update of the MobileMe web-based Calendar, sending users announcements that allows them to opt into the new program, which brings shared calendaring and an iPad-like appearance.

Opting into the new beta upgrades the calendar data in a way that makes any changes connected to the new format. Users who choose to leave the beta will lose updated changes, as Apple warns in the signup process.

The new Calendar requires users to upgrade to the latest iOS 4 for iPhone and iPod touch, the latest Mac OS X 10.6.4 or the most recent MobileMe Control Panel 1.6.1 for Windows, and demands a modern web browser, minimally Safari 4, Firefox 3.6, or Internet Explore 8.

Apple also notes that the new calendar beta does not support Microsoft Outlook behind a proxy server, and does not support push updates for Windows and iPad users. The iPad will fetch new data when its Calendar is opened, while Outlook running on Windows will fetch new event data every five minutes. Other iOS devices and Mac will continue to receive push updates normally.

Users with lots of calendar data may be warned that their older data will be incrementally upgraded over the next hour.

Looks like iPad

The new MobileMe Calendar features an iPad-like slider control at the bottom for rapidly navigating to future and previous months, and a calendar and notes view that appear to be tear off pads of paper. Also like the iPad Calendar, it presents a Day summary and List view of upcoming events.

MobileMe users can opt in to the new beta by logging in and requesting an invite. The new Calendar update is the latest in an overhaul series that began with Mail. The new updates use the latest SproutCore frameworks to create a very desktop-like experience.

34 Comments

splash-reverse 648 comments · 14 Years

About 14 years ago

I missed using cmd-i and cmd-e to look and edit events on Snow/Leopard's iCal.... Double-click is a hassle to me sadly. I don't think they have it on the new beta version and with the aforementioned warning, not trying the beta after what happened to my mail beta.

dr millmoss 5382 comments · 15 Years

Has anyone seen an actual invitation? I requested one, but the message was that I'd be contacted "in the coming weeks."

cvaldes1831 1832 comments · 15 Years

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Millmoss

Has anyone seen an actual invitation? I requested one, but the message was that I'd be contacted "in the coming weeks."

The invitation is probably just an e-mail. After all, that's what I got for the MobileMe Mail beta a few months ago. It was so nondescript that I don't even remember what it looked like or said. I just clicked on whatever link was in the message. I think I received the invite 3-4 weeks after I requested the invite. It was long enough after the signup for me to forget.

That said, I've given up playing with these service betas. I'd rather wait until the upgrade is publicly released to all.

What does it matter what the invitation e-mail looks like or when you get it? It's not like you have any control over such matters.

solipsism 25701 comments · 18 Years

I received mine on Tuesday. It’s a lot more than a simple UI change. They are altering a lot of the backend which, as you can see, requires a manual setup on the iPad to connect the calendars, among other changes. This makes me wonder if it won’t be out of the Beta phase under they A) make it backwards compatible with older calendar software, or B) will wait until iOS version 4.x for the iPad is released. I would assume the latter.