Open the protocol (Score 1)

Another path would be to open the protocol. Currently, Apple provides dotmac libraries to Mac developers, so that third-party apps running in MacOSX can benefit from dotmac.

But this doesn't allow customers to use their apps with a different dotmac provider.

Imagine that Apple discloses the .Mac protocol. Anybody could build a .Mac clone, and charge whatever they want for it... More money, less money, nothing, nothing with ads, usage-based, etc. This could include enterprise versions, you know, that run within a protected intranet.

Apple would likely loose some .Mac subscriptions, but they'd get more customers to actually use Tiger and iLife software to the fullest. And that's still the best method to make happy customers.