Over at Scobleizer, complaints abound about how Apple’s MobileMe completely deleted Robert’s calendar. And while I don’t use Calendar all that much–I’m kind of a Post-It sort of gal–I can imagine how a loss like this would cause panic, anger, and the desire to throw MobileMe out the window, if such a thing were possible.
My experience with MobileMe has been far from perfect. In fact, I talked about just two weeks ago. But there’s a difference between then and now. Then, MobileMe was ironing out launch kinks, which can be expected. Now, it’s exhibiting serious character flaws.
“Apple’s secrecy keeps them from properly testing out their apps with tons of users, the way other companies do who aren’t so worried about secrecy,” says Robert Scoble. And while this may very well be true, I can’t help but think the problem is even deeper than that. Apple lover that I am, I think they’re in over their heads this time.
I haven’t had any calendar troubles. Everything syncs just fine now. But when I tried to add a domain name to my “Personal Domains,” MobileMe said it was invalid. Now, I did some digging and it seems even though MobileMe is supposed to recognize sites with hyphens in them, it’s not. I also found out that Apple Support can help fix this for you. And that would be all fine and well if Apple Support, you know, worked.
When you go on the MobileMe Support site, you’re prompted to browse through articles they have on various problems. If the articles don’t help, you can select the topic that fits the closest and then fill out an email form. However, this e-mail form is nowhere in sight. And the live chat is “unavailable.” But these issues are only on the U.S. version of the Apple site. Go in the U.K. site and the Email form is as plain as day. However, online reports seem to indicate that people are just getting a standardized email exactly 48 hours after their inquiry.
So what’s the deal here? Is Apple turning its back on its customers? Is it merely overwhelmed with inquiries? Are they doing their best to fix the problems right now?
I don’t know the answers to these questions, and while I doubt they’re ignoring their customers, it would be the courteous thing to do to at least indicate they’re working it. Including links to help chats and indicating there’s an email support form when there isn’t one, is just plain deceptive.
Have been waiting patiently but nothing printed on line or troubleshooting discissions have answered my concerns or questions.
Apple really needs to publish a booklet which speaks in a clear and concise manner to all portions of it’s product. I really am concerned……if Apple doesn’t work this out so everything is understandable, I’ll pursue getting my money back…….(has not done much for me so far. Just recently determined how to push info….. but it appears to be selective.
John
when i tried to sign off mobileme (gmail/google does pretty much does everything i need and $99 for that little disk space and silly email address is too much), the tech support guy walked me through it. i didnt want to pay for the service but the CSR made me buy the service in order to cancel out. yep. im THAT stupid. we wiped my address book contacts irrepairably along the way. so, for $99 i got no contact list, and several cheesy services i dont need nor want. he instructed me to call Apple Accounts the next day. i did that and they are refunding me in a week. and im cancelled. but no address book.
i wish i’d known about mobileme’s need to own your info before i signed up.
im all set now. i hope that hippie in Cupertino who handled my support ends up writing Unix man pages for a living.
My company, like many companies ( i.e. coca-cola ) uses a hyphen in the name, co-labarchitects. However mobile me does not accept hyphens as characters and is therefore useless to me and many other companies. What are Apple doing? This seems to be the simplest thing that has been missed. When will this glitch be resolved?
Gary
Has anyone actually got an iphone to work, (??) doing what it says it will on the box. It seems for some email works, but not contacts, and vice versa for sync etc. The phone does not do what I want it to do. I have mobile me email which works intermitenetly and poorly, I cannot get any support from Apple (who do yuo call or email)
I am now contacting the Trades Description People, (UK) which will be a lot easier than contacting Apple and spelling everything in phonetics.
Is there anyone out there who would be interested in supporting a ‘case’ action against Apple, let me know. Look forward to hearing from you.
I was tricked into thé MobileMe free trial and after 60 days they informe d thaï they Will Bill me and i immediately requested thém to cancel but they stil went ahead to bill me!!!!!!Thére’s nô support whatsoever you CAN get from thé Apple site!!!!!!
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