WWDC: MobileMe to replace .mac, sync iPhones with Macs, PCs

Calling it "Exchange for the rest of us," Apple debuted MobileMe, which allows users to push e-mail, contacts, and calendars directly to devices.

The new service will apparently replace .mac, and will work much the same way. However, now the iPhone and PC have been added to the mix, enabling personal information to be exchanged in a network consisting of an iPhone and a Mac or PC.

"Now users who are not part of an enterprise that runs Exchange can get the same push email, push calendars and push contacts that the big guys get," CEO Steve Jobs said during the keynote.

Updates occur over the air, and the service will work with Outlook on Windows, and Mail, iCal, and Address Book on Mac. Users would also be able to sync photos as well, Apple Senior Vice President Phil Schiller said during a demo.

The iDisk function on Macs will also operate through MobileMe. Users would be able to send files to other users through the iPhone, and the service would be maintainable through a Web site, located at me.com.

While on the site, users would be able to take advantage of web-based versions of applications including Mail, Contacts and Calendar, as well as a Gallery application for photos and iDisk access.

Users would be given 20GB worth of space for file storage and the website would not include any ads, Apple said.

MobileMe will remain at the $99 price point and include a 60-day free trial. Current .mac users will be automatically upgraded when the service debuts on July 11.