Silly question? Cloud syncing new iPhone TODAY now that MobileME is dead (and iCloud not yet born?)

[Jem]

According to Apple they are no longer signing up new MobileMe accounts, yet they also have not formally launched iCloud, due out quite vaguely, "This fall."

So how are new iphone customers syncing all there contacts, mail, notes, calendars, etc. with the cloud?

I've read through all the Apple FAQs and not seen this question asked, let alone answered.

Seems pretty bizarre to end a pretty fundamental service BEFORE the replacement is available.

And YES I know this doesn't affect those that ALREADY have MobileMe, but that is not what I am asking about.

Since I haven't been able to test this theory yet, can one still sign up for MobileMe Trial accounts? Is there another end run that will work for the next few months, and that is likely to be easy to tranisition to icloud eventually?

TIA!

[modelamac]

What did Apple say when you called them about this?

[Jem]

modelamac wrote:
What did Apple say when you called them about this?

Is this intended to be a helpful response?

I have Googled for other articles on this topic, and have read Apple's FAQ on MobileMe transition available here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4597

Nothing I have found so far directly addresses my question.

I am asking here because this is usually a knowledgable group when Google fails... and because I don't happen to have a direct link to Steve Jobs cerebral cortex.

Thanks for your assistance.

[deckeda]

So how are new iphone customers syncing all there contacts, mail, notes, calendars, etc. with the cloud?

They aren't.

I've read through all the Apple FAQs and not seen this question asked, let alone answered.

It is essentially, just not explicitly, answered. That link you have says you can continue MobileMe if you already have it prior to June 6. Everyone who wanted to/wants to sign up after June 6 can't and must wait for iCloud.

[Jem]

deckeda wrote:
It is essentially, just not explicitly, answered. That link you have says you can continue MobileMe if you already have it prior to June 6. Everyone who wanted to/wants to sign up after June 6 can't and must wait for iCloud.

Thank you.

In the world of technology (and marketing!) there is a world of difference between implicit and explicit.

Often it is the case that absence of mentioning a feature (such as one to carry over new users until the start of the new supported product ie. iCloud) is intended to discourage but not stop people from using an older or transitional solution.

I thought that might be the case here.

It seems like breaking this functionality for NEW iPhone owners for 3+ months would be a significant annoyance for customers thinking a major reason for having an iPhone is the ability to sync seamlessly through the cloud using Apple's builtin software.

If they can let OLD Mobileme accounts run until June 2012, I see no reason not to allow new users to ride on a trial Mobileme account until iCloud is actually out and usable. It seems however, that is not an option.

I know of 2 individuals (not myself) who are in exactly this predicament. They aren't going to be happy to hear Apple is essentially offering a vaporware cloud solution... until they get around to releasing it and making it work right.

Not the answer I was hoping for, but at least it is AN answer that means something.

[bhaveshp]

Jem wrote:
So how are new iphone customers syncing all there contacts, mail, notes, calendars, etc. with the cloud?

Is a strictly Apple solution required for that?

You can accomplish all of that by syncing with the cloud using your Gmail account on your iPhone set up as an Exchange account. Works great today & for free.

http://www.google.com/support/mobile/bin...wer=138740

[rjmacs]

Apple leaving users in the lurch for its own scheduling priorities? NO WAY!!

[C(-)ris]

A lurch? Please. Use Gmail or any Exchange account. There are plenty if other ways to do it.

[rjmacs]

C(-)ris wrote:
A lurch? Please. Use Gmail or any Exchange account. There are plenty if other ways to do it.

Syncing notes, contacts, and calendar using Google between iphone, Mac Address Book, mail, and iCal, and web is more clunky and complicated than using MobileMe. Just because it's possible doesn't mean it's not a pain in the ass that won't be necessary in a couple months. There was no real NEED to cut off MobileMe before iCloud was ready for primetime, it's just more convenient for Apple that way.

[Jem]

Thanks guys. I was aware that there are other methods using Exchange and/or Google, but the goal was ultimately to go to iCloud, and learning one non-Apple system for all those services for a few months before going back might be more than the grey matter can handle.

Hoping there was an easy work around, but these folks will probably just stick to hard syncing until iCloud is out.

I'm over it. But as rjmacs suggests, it is a head scratcher as to why this was necessary on Apple's part.