Ipad : Wireless Sync Using the MobileMe Service (part 2) - Set Up MobileMe on Your Windows PC

3. Set Up MobileMe on Your Windows PC

You need to install the latest version of iTunes and the MobileMe software on your PC and configure it to sync to the MobleMe "cloud" to get started.

1. On your computer's web browser, go to: www.apple.com/mobileme/setup/pc.html

2. If you don't have iTunes version 9.1 or later, click the iTunes link to download it.
   

3. Click the link to download the MobileMe Control Panel for Windows.

   
   
   

4. Click the Download button on this screen to download the installation file.

   
   
   

5. Follow the steps on the screen to install the software on your computer.

6. Once the software is installed, start it up by:

   • Clicking on the MobileMe icon on your Windows desktop, or by

   • Searching for and starting it from your Start button or Windows icon in the lower left corner. Type MobileMe and the icon should appear at the top of the Start Menu under Programs. Click it.

   
   
   

7. Click the Sync tab at the top to see the screen shown to the right.

   
   
   

8. Check the box next to Sync with MobileMe.

9. Next to this check box you'll find a drop-down for the sync frequency. The default is Automatically, but you can choose to sync every Hour, Day, Week or Manually.

10. To sync contacts, check the box next to Contacts and select where your contacts are stored (such as Outlook, Google Contacts, Yahoo!, or Windows Contacts). For Google and Yahoo!, you will need to enter your username and password by clicking the Options button that appears.

11. To sync calendars, check the box next to Calendars and select where your Calendars are stored (e.g., Outlook or elsewhere.)

12. To sync bookmarks, check the box next to Bookmarks and select your computer's web browser (only Safari and Internet Explorer were supported for syncing bookmarks at publishing time).

13. Click OK when done.

As soon as you click OK, MobileMe will start sending your selected items—Contacts, Calendars, and Bookmarks to the MobileMe web site.

3.1. Multiple Ways to Access MobileMe

After the first sync, you will have at least three ways to access your synced information:

• The computer where you originally stored your contacts and calendar;

• The MobileMe web site;

• Your iPad (or other mobile device).

Since you already know how to get to the information on your computer, we will focus on how to access information from the MobileMe web site and your iPad.

3.2. A Quick Tour of The MobileMe Web Site

1. Login to MobileMe from a web browser on your computer by going to www.me.com.

2. Type your username and password and click Log In.

   
   
   

3. To view your mail, click the Mail icon in the upper left corner.

   This will show your MobileMe inbox for all e-mail going to (membername)@me.com

   
   
   

4. To view your contacts, click the Contacts icon next to Mail.

   
   
   

5. To view your calendar, click the Calendar icon.

   
   
   

6. To view your photo albums, click the Gallery icon.

   
   
   

7. To create a new album, click the + in the lower left corner.

8. Enter your Album Name, and check the Allow and Show settings you want. Also, for Mac users, decide whether you want to sync with iPhoto or Aperture.

   
   
   

9. Click the Create button to create your new album.

10. Click the Upload Arrow to select photos or videos to upload to your MobileMe album.

    
    
    

11. Navigate to the folder on your computer where your pictures are stored, click on the picture or video to select it, then click the Open button.

    NOTE

    The following image file formats are supported: .png, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg. The following video types are supported: .mov, .m4v, .mp4, .3gp, .3g2, .mpg, .mpeg, .avi.

    
    
    

12. Click the iDisk icon to view the files located on the MobileMe iDisk.

    You can easily store and retrieve files on this iDisk from your computer and your iPad. You can even share files that are too large to e-mail or that you'd like to print from your iPad using the Public folder.

    
    
    
    

13. Click the Find My iPhone/iPad icon to locate your iPad. This assumes you have already logged into MobileMe from the Settings app on your iPad.

    
    
    

14. Click the Settings icon to adjust the options, see your account type and trial expiration date (if you are on a free trial), and get help, or to check whether the MobileMe service is up and running.