Apple late on Wednesday announced a new beta program for the mail component of its MobileMe internet service. The new beta offers new interface views, server-based mail rules, SSL-based security, and improved performance, according to the company.
The mail rules feature will allow MobileMe users at last to filter mail into separate mailboxes in advance of downloading them to your devices. A new Archive button allows users to file selected messages to an archive folder with a single click. (These are areas in which MobileMe’s mail has notably lagged behind Google’s free Gmail service.)
Now the fine print: Apple says the beta is available in English only, so only users of the English-language version will be able to request a beta invitation. Users don’t have to sign up for the beta and can opt out of it at any time. Apple will also be collecting beta feedback via a link below the mail-folder list on me.com. Apple has also posted an FAQ file about the beta.