MacNN has discovered something interesting in the code of the 10.5.3 update. It appears as though Apple’s .Mac service may be getting a name change, and possible overhaul.
Buried deep within the v10.5.3 update are several strings of code which indicate that the .Mac name may be dropped.
In iCal’s Localizable.strings file you can find the following code: “/* Label of .Mac button in iCal’s General preferences. %@ is the new name of Apple’s online service (was .Mac) (remove -XX02).”
In Safari’s Localizable file you can find something similar: “/* Title of .Mac alert sheet, with .Mac brand name subsituted */
“You need a %@ account that has syncing enabled” = “You need a %@ account that has syncing enabled”;.”
and in Mail’s Prefs.strings file you can find some alterations as well:
“/* Title of button used to open the .Mac system preference pane. */
“AOS_SYNC_BUTTON_FORMAT†= “%@…â€;”
“/* Descriptive text for .Mac Sync. */
“AOS_SYNC_FORMAT†= “Use %@ to synchronize Accounts, Rules, Notes, Signatures, and Smart Mailboxes.â€; .”
Obviously this is going to start rumors about a major .Mac change at WWDC, and that may be true, may be not – one thing is true, though…SOMETHING is going on with .Mac.
I just wonder how long it will be before we find out what.
UPDATE: TUAW reports that the new name has likely been found in the iPhone SDK, and may be called ‘Mobile Me’. Apple apparently filed for a trademark on this back in 2006, and it is now appearing in the iPhone SDK.
I gotta say, I like “.Mac” better. 🙂
5 thoughts on “UPDATED: .Mac may be getting a name change”
Mobile Me sounds like Microsoft named it.
@ Bill –
EXACTLY – Mobile MILLENNIUM EDITION!
BOOOOOOO! I like,and will always refer to it as, .Mac!
It was iTools first! I liked iTools better than .Mac…
Sorry to double-comment, but I forgot to say that I’d never pay Apple’s crazy price for the .Mac service. It’s nothing special so far. I pay for real web hosting, not the joke Apple offers, and there are free alternatives for most of their other services.
redwall… I don’t pay for web hosting. I pay for convenience! Most successful businesses seem to be based on laziness. 😀