Apple's iCloud service will replace MobileMe in June, but only users running OS X 10.7, also known as Lion, will have access to the cloud-based storage. As many MobileMe users are still running an older OS, without an upgrade they may be left behind. Hence, to ease the transition to the iCloud, Apple is giving away free DVDs of OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.

Launched in 2009, Snow Leopard does not support iCloud, but it will bring users one step closer to the upgrade. More precisely, $29.99 closer, the price users would then have to pay for Lion, in order to gain access to the iCloud.

You've Got Mail!

Macgasm's Joshua Schnell reports that some MobileMe users who have not made the transition to the iCloud or upgraded to Snow Leopard are receiving an interesting email from Apple: "Apple has recommended that potential customers get in touch with Apple to receive a free DVD of Snow Leopard so that users can upgrade to Lion, and move to iCloud," read the email. "All you have to do is follow this link, log in to MobileMe with your Mobile Me account, and fill out your mailing information. Apple will then send you a Snow Leopard DVD for free." Once they upgrade to Snow Leopard, users are asked to purchase OS X 10.7.3 Lion and sign up for iCloud, according to the report.

Apple will ditch MobileMe on June 30, as announced last year. iCloud is a free cloud-storage service for Mac users running Lion, and for owners of any iOS device such as an iPad or an iPhone running iOS 5 or later. MobileMe cost $99 per year, or $149 for a five-user Family Pack.

Files Stored on iDisk Must be Moved by June 30

Current MobileMe users who make the transition to iCloud will keep their email addresses, and their email, contacts, bookmarks and calendar will be automatically imported to the new service. On the other hand, MobileMe had an iDisk component which the iCloud lacks, therefore users must move all files stored on MobileMe's iDisk to a Mac's or PC's local storage before June 30, as Apple recommends.

(reported by Alexandra Burlacu, edited by Surojit Chatterjee)