Apple to Launch MobileMe Enhancements: Push Web-Based Mail, Universal 'Find My iPhone' iOS Application, and More

Apple has noted on its MobileMe support page and the me.com login page that access to MobileMe Web applications will be down from 10:00 PM to midnight Pacific Time this evening for "scheduled maintenance", with normal service expected to return once the site comes back up at the end of this window.

MacRumors has received information indicating that the downtime will see the rolling out of several new enhancements, including an official launch of the redesigned Mail interface for MobileMe that has been available in beta form for the past month. Included in this rollout will be push functionality for the Web-based Mail client, providing real-time updating as messages arrive.

Apple is also reportedly removing the MobileMe "toolbar" for the various Web applications offered by the service, replacing the toolbar with a single "application switcher" icon that will allow users to switch between Web applications.

Finally, Apple is said to be preparing to release a dedicated "Find My iPhone" application. The application, which will be universal and thus compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, will be available for free through App Stores in all countries, although devices must be associated with a MobileMe account in order to be tracked. It will allow users to perform all of the traditional Find My iPhone functions from iOS devices without the need to utilize the Web-based version of the service, offering device tracking, sending of messages to lost devices, and remote locking and wiping.

Apple has been busy releasing new iOS application for its customers over the past week, pushing out iTunes Connect Mobile last week to assist developers with monitoring sales data for their applications and Apple Store earlier this week to allow customers to make purchases from the Apple Store and schedule reservations for Apple Retail Store services.