Apple discontinues MobileMe retail box packages

Apple has notified resellers that it has discontinued the retail box version of MobileMe, shifting completely to online sales, according to a Mac Rumors report. Existing stock of the boxed version of MobileMe can continue to be sold while supplies last, the report states. The boxed version of MobileMe contained little more than an activation code and promotional materials, and therefore served primarily as a way to provide in-store visibility for the offering. Apple is said to be working on a revamp of the online service suite, and is considering making it a free service to serve as an online “locker” for personal data such as photos, music, and videos. As noted in the report, Apple executives confirmed during yesterday’s annual shareholders meeting that the company’s new data center in North Carolina should be opening soon and will primarily support its MobileMe and iTunes services.