Filed under: Internet, Internet Tools, Apple
Apple previews next version of .Mac webmail
I don't know if this will address any of Dave's .Mac woes, but Apple is showcasing the next version of the .Mac webmail service. .Mac's webmail has been stuck in 2002 for about 4 years now, so an update will be very nice.
The overall UI has been refined, and it looks like Apple is going for a more 'application' like feel using 'the latest web technology.' Drag and drop, message preview, and keyboard shortcuts will be supported. Apple hasn't said when this will see the light of day but it is 'Coming Soon.'
Thanks, Rob.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
BLACKOUT said 7:31PM on 9-26-2006
0_0
i love that look.
*wants now*
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Exilio said 7:44PM on 9-26-2006
You know ... with all of the bitching about .Mac, you would think your write up would be a bit more enthusiastic. This is a MAJOR change for the online Mail app, and I for one am very impressed with what I see.
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Scott McNulty said 7:47PM on 9-26-2006
Exilio, I haven't used .Mac in years, but this does seem like a long overdue enhacement. That's all I was saying. :)
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Stephen Downing said 7:52PM on 9-26-2006
Please get rid of that annoying mosquito advert.
I've never known a more annoying advert!
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Brendan said 7:55PM on 9-26-2006
Looks very nice indeed!! Next step; make bloody .Mac free!!!!!
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rong said 8:33PM on 9-26-2006
Scott:
This does seem to be perhaps the most innovative (technolgy wise) and welcome addition to the dot mac services since the beginning.
Drag & drop web based interface
Seperate message pane
Simultaneous viewing of all mail and the individual mail message's content
Smart refreshing of individual page sections
Quick Reply button to compose message without leaving Inbox
Integrated Address Book within main page for quick access (Spotlight-like searching)
Inbox displays beginning of every message for quick access
Flag messages
AND Keyboard Shortcuts.
This is Web 3.0 stuff! I'm impressed. My account expires in... lets see... 8 days now, but I will be renewing (I've been putting it off for awhile now hoping that they would soon make an announcement of some new features to make it more enticing.)
If you don't mind me asking, how did you find out about this if you haven't used .Mac in years?
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Jean-Francois said 8:38PM on 9-26-2006
Can anybody tell me why should I use .Mac instead of free services like google mail ?
Prices are somewhat expensive....
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Evan said 8:51PM on 9-26-2006
Looks like another hint at a possible aqua-less Leopard. The column selectors (from, subject, etc.) are similar to the new iTunes, gradient not glass.
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Gillian Smith said 8:52PM on 9-26-2006
Jean-Francois -- I use it because no one with the last name "Smith" can get a decent gmail address. It's like torture.
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Joao Carlos de Pinho said 9:13PM on 9-26-2006
Too little, too late.
This is not enough to convince me to renew my .Mac account. In fact, I would not use this new mail interface even if .Mac were free, since I'm happy with Entourage and I don't like Web applications.
But I must admit that the feature set is somewhat impressive.
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David Chartier said 9:16PM on 9-26-2006
#7: Because .Mac isn't just about email, it's an entire suite of services including email, a syncing online hard disk (not just free space to upload stuff to - true and effortless syncing, there's a difference), brainless WYSIWYG online publishing, etc.
Now if you're a Gmail-slingin', PHP-hackin', and command line backupin' Mac user, then .Mac might not exactly fit into your toolbelt, and that's fine - no one said it had to. .Mac is certainly aimed at a specific demographic of user, and if its services aren't quite up your alley, then that's ok. It doesn't matter. Stick with Gmail if it's working out for you.
Personally, I'm both a .Mac member and a Gmail user, because I think they both have their strengths and weaknesses, and I find enough value in some (note: not *all*) of .Mac's services to hunt down a good deal on eBay or Amazon each year, as .Mac can be had for considerably less than the advertised $99.
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andyh said 9:30PM on 9-26-2006
If the .mac version of Mail has message previews (displays the beginning of every message) I sure hope the next version of Mail has it. Or is that an exclusive benefit of being a .mac member?
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Jay Robinson said 10:02PM on 9-26-2006
I am rather curious as to how you found this webpage? Where can I be looking on the Dotmac site for these new features?
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SubGenius said 10:51PM on 9-26-2006
They are putting this out now because October is renewal season for a large chunk of .Mac subscribers who have been there from the start.
Mail is the only part I use much.
I hope it integrates well with the iPhone.
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SubGenius said 10:52PM on 9-26-2006
I'm also curious if they are moving away from WebObjects in favor of AJAX and Ruby on Rails?
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Jacob Varghese said 11:57PM on 9-26-2006
If Apple wants to make .mac a consumer hit, then it needs to include iTunes syncing. Otherwise all these new email features are the same stuff that gmail and yahoo offer.
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ToeKnee said 11:58PM on 9-26-2006
I am not looking at it, because I don't give a rat's patoot about webmail. I have two Gmail accounts which do that better. I have had .Mac since it was free iTools, and I have upgraded every year. But there are too many free and much lower cost replacements for .Mac stuff now. Bookmark and addressbook sync between mine and my wife's Macs are the only thing I'll miss, but I won't miss them much. The free Foxmarks extension in Firefox will just make us use Firefox more now.
Unless Apple comes out with a cheaper price or a lot more storage for that rate, I'm not renewing in 10 days. I have a family to think about, not supporting Apple.
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GmanMac said 12:15AM on 9-27-2006
17.
Thing is, when you support Apple, you support all of Apple, including future OSX development.
WHen you support Gmail or other alternatives, and you are supporting them through ad based revenue, even if it's free software to you, then you are only supporting Google & their advertisers.
That's fine each to his own, heck I have a gmail account myself as well as a .Mac, but whenever you make a decision to buy an Apple product or not, you have to at least look at the bigger picture of where the money goes and what goodies it helps bring us down the road.
I think the new interface and features look pretty sweet.
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Jesse said 1:34AM on 9-27-2006
Oooh! Ajax-y!
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Doug said 2:17AM on 9-27-2006
I have 18 days left to renew.
I am very hesitant - we just moved across country, and money is extremely tight right now.
$100/year for 1GB of space? Fugheddaboutit. Sure, there are some nice features - iSync is almost worth the $100.00 by itself. I just can't justify that kind of money when there are other, cheaper solutions that offer great capacity.
What galls me the most is that Apple has made no effort to increase the features or capacity of .Mac in to years. Apologists, take note: this is about the only Apple product that hasn't been at least DOUBLED in capacity in the past 18 months.
.Mac needs a heart transplant. In the next 18 days. Period.
P.S. Fire the damned .Mac program manager. If there's even someone in that position.
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