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by Joe Kissell
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Take Control of MobileMe
MobileMe provides oodles of features, but are you making the most of your $99-per-year membership?
MobileMe has become a Swiss-army knife of online services, offering not only a whizzy "push" data-syncing service for tracking calendar, contact, and bookmark info on a variety of devices, but also email services, online storage and file sharing, a place to put your iWeb site or share photos or videos, and more. Take Control of MobileMe helps you understand the features and get set up, and then it dives into the details of real-life projects.
Back to My Mac: This book devotes seven pages to Back to My Mac; fully covering this feature would take another book, so we wrote Take Control of Back to My Mac.
- More Info
- Contents & Intro
- What’s New
- FAQ
- Blog
This 124-page ebook covers how to handle many aspects of using MobileMe, including:
- Syncing—what to expect, handling problems, and more
- Various ways to use an iDisk for storing and sharing files
- Setting up a MobileMe email account
- Managing calendar and contact data on the MobileMe site
- Posting photos and videos online via the Gallery feature and iLife '09
- Publishing a Web site to MobileMe's servers via iWeb
- Using Back to My Mac to get at the files and screen of one Mac while using another
- Understanding what Apple's Backup, free with MobileMe, can and can't do, and whether it's a good choice for you
- Tracking your iPhone/iPod touch via Find My iPhone
- Accessing your iDisk from an iPhone/iPod touch (with instructions for Apple's free iDisk app and notes on several third-party apps)
"Kissell cuts through [the syncing] thicket cleanly, with clear step-by-step instructions, with key caveats included. The book also provides great detail - good for peace of mind..." —The Cherry Creek News
Read this book to learn the answers to questions such as:
- What are the primary features available in the MobileMe service?
- How do I set up MobileMe syncing on my iPhone or iPod touch?
- How quickly should I expect MobileMe to sync my data?
- What types of data can sync only with Macs versus with Macs, Windows PCs, and the iPhone/iPod touch?
- How do I configure my MobileMe email account in my email software?
- How do I access my iDisk from Windows XP and Vista?
- How do I add movies and photos to my Web Gallery?
- Where in my MobileMe account does my iWeb-created site go? What if I want to host a non-iWeb site in my MobileMe account?
- How can I configure my AirPort Extreme so it will work with Back to My Mac?
- How do I set up and use Find My iPhone?
Book Info
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About the Author
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Book Reviews
Author Interviews
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Joe Kissell has written numerous books about the Macintosh, including many popular Take Control ebooks. He's also Senior Editor of TidBITS, contributes frequently to Macworld, and previously spent ten years in the Mac software industry.
Table of Contents
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Read Me FirstMembership in MobileMe gives you access to a suite of online services that both complements and integrates tightly with Mac OS X and iLife. Although MobileMe was designed for ease of use, it also has tremendous power—and a few hidden pitfalls. Learn how to make the most of your MobileMe membership by reading this book, which goes far beyond Apple's online help to give you detailed instructions, tips, and strategies. This book was written by Joe Kissell, edited by Dan Frakes, and published by TidBITS Publishing Inc. |
Introduction
July 2008 was a big month for Apple. Within the span of a few days, the company launched the iPhone 3G, the version 2.0 firmware update for the original iPhone (and iPod touch), the App Store for all the above devices…and MobileMe, the latest incarnation of the package of Internet services formerly known as .Mac (and, before that, iTools). As if that weren’t enough excitement, Apple also became the target of tons of bad press, user complaints, and even lawsuits over how badly that series of new product launches turned out.
To be candid, the original MobileMe rollout was a fiasco, and it took months before the service functioned somewhat smoothly and all the features that had previously been announced came online. Even then, it wasn’t perfect, and some users complained that the service offered too little, for too much money—and nothing truly unique.
However, Apple has been busy improving MobileMe behind the scenes, and in June 2009, the company announced a major new feature that impressed even skeptics. In conjunction with the rollout of iPhone OS 3.0, MobileMe now includes a feature called Find My iPhone. Any MobileMe member who also owns an iPhone or iPod touch (any model) with the 3.0 software can use a Web browser to locate their device nearly anywhere in the world if it’s lost or stolen—and can remotely wipe its entire contents if there’s any worry about private information being exposed. Several smaller iPhone-related MobileMe features were introduced at the same time, and even more improvements are undoubtedly in the works.
The goal of this book is to help you get the most out of MobileMe— and to understand how to use it when it’s working the way it should. I want to be clear that this book is not a troubleshooting guide. Although I’ve included a few tips that address some common complaints, I can’t offer help for problems that involve errors or outages on Apple’s end, network issues between your computer and Apple, or other random problems. If something isn’t working the way this book describes, the most likely reason is that Apple’s servers or software are misbehaving. I can commiserate with you, because whatever the problem is, I’m probably experiencing it too—but I can’t offer any magic fixes for problems that only Apple can solve.
If you were formerly a .Mac member, you’ll surely be aware by now that MobileMe added some things, changed some, and removed some. This is nothing new; over the years iTools and .Mac have undergone continuous evolution, with underused features disappearing from time to time. (Do you remember KidSafe? iReview? I didn’t think so.) These choices aren’t always popular, I realize, but the remaining core features are, on the whole, much better and more useful than before.
Of course, you can find most of the features in MobileMe in other services and software. However, you’d have to buy and configure several products to approximate the combination of features in MobileMe—and even then, you wouldn’t have the extensive integration with Mac OS X, iLife, and the iPhone/iPod touch that makes MobileMe unique. For these reasons, I believe MobileMe is still well worth the price.
That said, one crucial component missing from MobileMe is a detailed instruction manual! Although online help is available for MobileMe, it’s not terribly thorough or helpful. I’ve written this book to fill that gap: to help you take control of every aspect of your MobileMe membership and to get as much value out of it as you possibly can. As Apple continues to modify the MobileMe services, I’ll update this book, as well, so that you’ll have the latest information.
According to Apple, MobileMe works with Macs, Windows PCs, iPhones, and iPod touch devices. In practice, though, Macs are far better supported than the other platforms, and only Macs running Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard or later have access to MobileMe’s full capabilities. Although I do discuss Windows, the iPhone and the iPod touch, and (to a limited extent) Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger here, most of the book, like MobileMe itself, focuses on Leopard.
Likewise, because MobileMe is so tightly tied to iLife, which itself gets regular overhauls, I focus in this version of Take Control of MobileMe on iLife ’09, the current iLife version as I write this, with notes as to where it differs from the previous version, iLife ’08. If you’re using an older version of iLife, some of the instructions in this book won’t quite match your software. Because MobileMe integration is significantly improved in the latest version of iLife compared to older versions, I suggest upgrading if you can.
Quick Start to MobileMe
Get started:
- Learn about the features of MobileMe. See Get to Know MobileMe.
- Set up your Mac, PC, or mobile device to work with MobileMe, and learn how to use the MobileMe Web site. Read Set Up and Explore MobileMe.
- Make sure your computer(s) and mobile device(s) can share information with MobileMe. Read Keep Your Data in Sync.
Use the six core MobileMe features:
- Send and receive email with Mail.
- Manage your address book using Contacts.
- Keep track of your schedule and to-do items with Calendar.
- Share photos and movies online using Gallery.
- Store and share files on your iDisk.
- Manage your MobileMe Account, including the Find My iPhone feature.
Go beyond the basics:
- Use MobileMe and iLife together to create Web sites.
- Access stuff on a faraway Mac using Back to My Mac. See Access Your Mac Remotely.
- Back Up Your Files—to an iDisk or another destination.
- Convert your MobileMe account from one type to another, if the need arises. See Appendix A: Account Conversion Methods.
What's New in Version 1.2
Version 1.2 includes instructions for using Apple’s new MobileMe iDisk app for iPhone and iPod touch and removes one tiny leftover mention of .Mac Groups.
What Was New in Version 1.1
Version 1.1 of Take Control of MobileMe was released in July 2009, and brings this ebook up to date with the latest developments in MobileMe and Apple software since its original publication, so it covers interactions with iLife '09 and iPhone OS 3.0 software. Noteworthy changes include:
- Coverage of MobileMe’s improved support for push synchronization
- Details about new MobileMe features for owners of iPhones and iPod touches with iPhone OS 3.0, such as mobile iDisk access and Find My iPhone
- Updated instructions for sharing media with iLife ’09
- Instructions for using the iDisk file sharing feature
- New information about publishing Web sites made with your own tools—even when using a personal domain
- Details on using Back to My Mac with a Time Capsule or AirPort Disk
- Removal of information about HomePage sites and .Mac Groups, as those features have been officially discontinued
What types of hardware and software does this ebook cover?
The ebook assumes that most readers are running Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard on a Macintosh computer, and it has plenty of details about using an iPhone or iPod touch with MobileMe. To a lesser extent, it also has content aimed specifically at Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, and Windows XP and Vista, so if you're using Tiger or Windows, you'll find the ebook useful, but you won't be the main case that the ebook is assuming.
I can't make Back to My Mac work. Will this ebook help?
Maybe. If you are using an AirPort Extreme or Express and just need to turn on NAT-PMP, this ebook will tell you how. But, if you need to really understand how Back to My Mac works behind the scenes, or if you need help with a tricky router configuration, this isn't the ebook that you want. What you want is Take Control of Back to My Mac, by Glenn Fleishman.
What versions of iLife does this ebook cover?
At present, the ebook covers iLife '08 and iLife '09. Here is how Joe describes it: "Because MobileMe is so tightly tied to iLife, which itself gets regular overhauls, I focus in this version of Take Control of MobileMe on iLife ’09, the current iLife version as I write this, with notes as to where it differs from the previous version, iLife ’08. If you’re using an older version of iLife, some of the instructions in this book won’t quite match your software. Because MobileMe integration is significantly improved in the latest version of iLife compared to older versions, I suggest upgrading if you can."
Can I read this ebook on an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch?
There are lots of great ways to read PDFs on these devices. For more details, please read our latest Device Advice.
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Update Plans
June 2010 -- Joe and his wife recently had a baby. Before the baby was born, Joe had begun work on a minor update to this ebook. Since then, the baby was born several weeks early and MobileMe has had a few notable changes, including a new Cloud button for navigation between Web apps and significant changes to the Mail app. You can read the blog postings below to stay updated. I believe we'll have an update to the ebook out later in 2010, but our exact plans have yet to solidify.
—Tonya Engst
Apple Introduces Beta Version of Revised MobileMe Calendar
July 11, 2010 --
Apple has announced a beta version of a completely revised MobileMe Calendar. The new service adopts the look and feel of the iPad's Calendar app, in keeping with the trend Apple started when the company revised MobileMe Mail recently. But the changes aren't merely cosmetic; Calendar now uses the open CalDAV standard rather than a proprietary method of transferring data. One result of this change is that MobileMe users will be able to (finally!) share editable calendars with other users, a feature that previously required third-party software such as BusySync or BusyCal. In addition, users can now create read-only group calendars (much like one could do in the erstwhile .Mac Groups) and can track RSVPs for event invitations.
All this is fantastic, and if I may say so, long overdue. Of course, it also means I'll have to completely revise my Calendar coverage in Take Control of MobileMe, so the update I've been working on will take a bit longer than I previously thought.
To participate in the beta program (no word yet on when the service will officially roll out for all users), log in to your account at http://www.me.com/calendar and click the Request an Invitation link in the lower left corner. Then wait; Apple may take days or weeks to process your invitation. (I requested mine within 12 hours of the announcement, and I haven't received my invitation yet, although Dan Frakes, who edits the book, has received his.)
But beware: during the beta period, some features are missing and others are incomplete, so switching to the new calendar in its current state may cause some problems while causing others. Read all about the service's features and requirements in Apple's FAQ, and also be sure to read the known issues page.
—Joe Kissell
New MobileMe Mail Adds Server-side Rules, Archiving, and More
June 22, 2010 --
The new version of MobileMe Mail is out of beta, so whether you read your email on the MobileMe Web site or you have a MobileMe-based email account, you'll have a smoother email experience if you review the new options and consider how they may affect the way you handle your email. I explain why the new version of MobileMe is interesting, run through the major new features, and offer helpful tips for using the new version in the TidBITS article MobileMe Mail Adds Server-side Rules, SSL, and More.
—Tonya Engst
Find My iPhone Service Becomes an App
June 21, 2010 --
Late last week, Apple released a Find My iPhone app, which, despite its name, helps you find a missing iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. You can still log in to the MobileMe Web site in any Web browser to access Find My iPhone features, but if you'd prefer to use an app on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, well, now you can. Glenn Fleishman has written a full description of how the new app works, complete with many screenshots, in TidBITS. Please see Find My iPhone App Enables Mobile Device Discovery.
Apple also updated several aspects of the me.com Web site, including a few tweaks to the Find My iPhone Web app. The overall look-and-feel of the Web app and the mobile app is the same.
—Tonya Engst
Apple Unveils MobileMe Mail Beta
June 11, 2010 --
Apple recently announced the beta of an update to its Web-based mail service, MobileMe Mail. The beta offers widescreen and compact views, single-click archiving, a message-formatting toolbar, increased security via SSL, server-based rules, and overall enhanced performance. The beta is open to all MobileMe users, and you can switch back to the previous version at any time. To sign up, log in to MobileMe Mail and click the link to request an invitation in the lower left of the page.
—Tonya Engst
Apple Enhances me.com for the iPhone and iPod touch
February 20, 2010 --
If you log in to www.me.com from the Safari app on your iPhone or iPod touch, you'll find that Apple now provides more options. Most notably, you can access Find My iPhone, making it possible to hunt for your missing device from a friend's or colleague's iPhone or iPod touch instead of from a regular computer. You can also now set up Mail, Contacts, and Calendars, and tap buttons for installing the iDisk and Gallery apps. For a few more details and screenshots, see the TidBITS article, MobileMe Site Adds Some Mobile Safari Support.
Ted Landau, author of Take Control of iPhone OS 3 put this new functionality to use right away—see his blog post, New Find My iPhone from an iPhone Saves Day for how various aspects of Find My iPhone elegantly solved a frustrating problem.
—Tonya Engst
Apple Releases MobileMe Gallery app for iPhone/iPod touch
January 16, 2010 --
On January 14, 2010, Apple released another free iPhone/iPod touch app for MobileMe members: MobileMe Gallery, which offers users a more convenient way to browse MobileMe Galleries (their own or others').
—Joe Kissell
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