Apple MobileMe Service Rumored To Be Going Free

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If I have ever heard a rumor that I wish to come true it would be this latest — the MobileMe service from Apple may be going free. Of course, this one is still a rumor and not much else. Still, we, or at least I can hope.

Basically, the report comes by way of the MacDailyNews blog who have received a tip that “Apple is planning to make MobileMe free.” And that is about it. And yes, they were also quick to remind us that they could not confirm the tip.

The funny part here is that MobileMe, which originally began as iTools in January 2000, was a free set of tools. It did not become a paid service until July 2002 when it was rebranded as the .Mac service. That was when it picked up the $99 per year subscription. Then even later, in July 2008 it officially became the MobileMe that we know today. And sadly I became a member around the time it became .Mac. Which means I have spent roughly $1,000 on the .Mac and now MobileMe service.

As for what MobileMe offers, a lot or a little depending on who you ask. You get a me.com email address, as well as the ability to keep your email, contacts and calendar in sync between your Mac computer and the cloud. Additionally, you can also keep your information on other devices such as the iPhone and iPad in sync with your Mac and the cloud. But the MobileMe service also offers other goodies such as the MobileMe photo gallery, Find My iPhone (or iPad), iDisk, Remote Wipe and more.

Personally, I like the ability to keep my calendar and contacts in sync, but in reality they have kept me tied in because I like the email service. Sure I also use Gmail, but I like my MobileMe account.

But back to the original point, MobileMe may be going free. Of course the reminder comes again in that this has not been confirmed. Still, according to the source, this should happen “sooner than later.” Well, sooner than later as long as “certain facilities going operational.”