Filed under: Retail, Apple, .Mac, Deals, MobileMe
Apple, Amazon offer boxed versions of MobileMe
Early Tuesday morning, Apple started offering boxed versions of the much awaited MobileMe web service. While buying from Apple costs $99 for the boxed version, Amazon is offering MobileMe for $89.99 (US). According to Amazon, MobileMe has been on sale since "July 1, 2008," however, they also say "This item will not be released until July 12, 2008."
We did learn last night that MobileMe is scheduled to launch on Wednesday, July 9th around 6 p.m. pacific time.
Stay tuned to TUAW for the latest information regarding the .Mac to MobileMe switch, iPhone 2.0 software, and the iPhone 3G coverage.
Thanks, Jay!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rubbinz said 9:22AM on 7-08-2008
Actually, Apple's had the ME pre-orders up long before Tuesday morning. There was that whole early shipments last week and Apple sending goons over to some people's homes to break knees to take the boxes back.
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MRCUR said 11:05AM on 7-08-2008
Yeah, sorry Cory, but you're wrong. Apple didn't change anything this morning in their downtime, save for soe cosmetic changes.
I ordered MobileMe from the Apple Store online about a week after it was announced. And I'm pretty sure Amazon has also had MobileMe up for a bit...
Paul said 11:29AM on 7-08-2008
I'm going with the family pack. Free shipping and no tax FTW!
http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B001BY0C2U/pasbl01-20/
Edd said 9:52AM on 7-08-2008
Can anyone shed some light on what is actually in this box? :| I mean, last time I checked it was a web service. The box seems unnecessary and is a flagrant disregard for trees. I hope the rainforest comes alive and eats Steve Jobs.
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Paul said 11:43AM on 7-08-2008
A bit of paper with a serial number...
I kinda thought everyone knew that Amazon sells this for $20 less than Apple. I guess not...
John said 4:39PM on 7-08-2008
to add to what Paul said, its not just the paper with the serial number, its also those ever popular apple stickers
David Chartier said 6:12PM on 7-08-2008
It also contains a small bit of startup documentation, but more importantly, it's something physical for a customer to walk out of the store with. Studies show that web services sell a lot better when there's something tangible for the customer to get ahold of; that's why other SaaS (Software As a Service) products like Zinio, OpenOffice, and others are introducing boxes like this over the next year or so. It's also why other companies and even individuals like John Gruber of Daring Fireball include t-shirts and other goodies when you purchase a membership or service. Most people perceive they get more value out of something they can touch, whether it's a nearly empty box or otherwise.
Edd said 6:14PM on 7-08-2008
So in other words: yes, it is unneccessary...
David Chartier said 9:55AM on 7-08-2008
Apple's been offering MobileMe and displaying its retail box in the online store for a while, almost since its announcement. We spotted it in the accessories list of items you can tack onto a Mac when checking out in the store; the .Mac box was replaced with MobileMe, and it has been sold as a pre-order item that would ship on or around 7/11.
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iGO said 9:56AM on 7-08-2008
I wonder if a Brand New (never installed/registered) .Mac product/license, like those found on eBay, could be used to activate a MobileMe account?
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Rubbinz said 10:14AM on 7-08-2008
If you can find them, yes. I ordered a .Mac retail sub at Amazon 2 weeks ago before they replaced it with MobileMe pre-orders for $69. According to Apple, all .Mac subs will switch to MobileMe when it launches.
Andre said 10:00AM on 7-08-2008
Strange, the Canadian MobilMe pricing page lists the a one-year subscription at $99, yet the ordering page says $109.
http://www.apple.com/ca/mobileme/pricing/
http://store.apple.com/ca/product/MB611Z/A?mco=NzY2Njgy
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supersalo said 10:23AM on 7-08-2008
What? Amazon had .Mac for $69! I'm glad I picked one up last month before they jacked the price up $20. That's ridiculous.
It's the same product. Apple didn't change the price (it's still $99), what's up with Amazon?
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Joe Woody said 10:27AM on 7-08-2008
wow even the box is ugly
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Jash Sayani said 11:06AM on 7-08-2008
How much does shipping to India cost.... ?
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Rockstar said 5:26PM on 7-08-2008
Hopefully some smart TUAW user can answer this for me. I know you can you your own domain name but, if you get the family pack, can you assign a domain name to each sub account?
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Mark S said 4:09AM on 7-09-2008
Wow, good thing I just got the old .Mac boxed set from Amazon; it was about $12 cheaper!
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kiwinerd said 11:04PM on 7-13-2008
Beware of the fact that (as of this weekend) Mobile Me is having trouble with any non-US personal domain. I saw reports on online fora from users who'd tried personal .uk and .au domains and had errors, I also tried a .nz address and experienced failure. Lame!
PS if you bought iPhone3G on the same day as MobileMe, at least in Toronto Canada, you got a $30 discount off the MMe price.
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