Apple MobileMe problems

Apple has set up an apologetic blog devoted to solving the problems of its recently launched MobileMe service.The MobileMe service launched two weeks ago at the same time that the firm rolled out its 3G iPhone.

It is Apple's answer to the new phenomenon of "cloud computing", in which information is stored on a remote server and updated via any device that is hooked into the cloud.

It follows a barrage of criticism of the service, which connects Apple devices to e-mail, contacts and online storage.In posts over the weekend, the firm admitted to fixing "over 70 bugs" but that 10% of e-mail might have been lost for good.It said the problem affected just 1% of customers.

The latest entry on Sunday said that it had restored full e-mail access to 40% of those affected and expected the remainder to be restored in "the next few days".

But a quick glance at the blogosphere suggested that the problems are not over for Apple.

Writing on 28 July on tuaw.com - an unofficial weblog devoted to Apple - blogger Lon Seidman said: "It looks like my 'cloud' has evaporated. MobileMe wiped out about two- thirds of my contacts on my iPhone earlier today, and now I have zero contacts and an empty calendar on the phone."