14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has sent out its second apology email to MobileMe subscribers, outlining that "a serious issue [occurred] with one of [their] MobileMe mail servers." The Cupertino-based Mac maker assures users that it understands the gravity of the situation and claims it is "working hard" to restore the service.
From Apple's Support page:
On Friday, July 18, 2008 (2008-07-18) we experienced a serious issue with one of our MobileMe mail servers. This issue is currently affecting approximately 1% of MobileMe members. Affected members are unable to send or receive email at www.me.com or access email using any email client software such as Mail on a Mac or Microsoft Outlook on a PC.
Products Affected
MobileMe Mail Resolution
We understand this is a serious issue and apologize for this service interruption. We are working hard to restore your service.
Apple also notes that it will update the document as more information becomes available.
This is the second apology issued by Apple to its MobileMe subscribers, since the rocky transition from .Mac. The first e-mail sent to customers (extending all accounts by 30 days), according to MacRumors, goes a bit like this:
Dear MobileMe Member,
Apple has identified and resolved an issue that caused an incorrect, temporary authorization hold of 121 GBP to be placed on your credit or debit card when your MobileMe trial account was created. We have addressed the issue and want to apologize for any inconvenience.
Typically when you create a new trial account, your credit or debit card is verified by authorizing a small charge (equivalent to USD $1). Unfortunately, an error caused the incorrect amount to be preauthorized for your card. Be assured that this is not a charge, but only an authorization hold [...] To show our appreciation for your continued loyalty, we have extended your free trial period by 30 days. This extension is in addition to the 30-day extension of which you were notified on July 16, for a total of 120 days of free MobileMe service [...] Look for the extension to be reflected in your account settings in the next few weeks [...] Thank you for being a MobileMe customer.
Sincerely, The MobileMe Team
Apple also noted to subscribers that all of the problems occurring with MobileMe's web apps had been taken care of, and that it was going to drop the term "push" used to describe the process through which users synced their personal information with their devices and the MobileMe server.
For the time being, Apple could not offer a specific date, or even a time estimate, as to when the issues with MobileMe would be fixed.