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The new capacity quadruples the previous limit and can be divided as required between email and the iDisk, .Mac's unique virtual disk. For family subscriptions to .Mac the total capacity is raised to 2GB.

Apple has also introduced a new Groups feature that lets members create private, ad-free online communities that make it easy for family, friends and private groups to communicate, coordinate and share digital media. Members can send emails to the entire group using a single address; post files, pictures and movies with a common group iDisk; publish group Web pages and post links to other sites; and keep up-to-date with the latest

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group events with a shared iCal calendar.

The upgraded .Mac also incudes a completely redesigned version of Backup, making the process of automatically backing up iLife content, Home folder and Tunes purchased music easier and quicker. It has also added compatibility with OS X 10.4's Spotlight search technology.

The other major change is the introduction of German and French localisations, in addition to English and Japanese. Beyond that the suite also includes the HomePage software for the automatic (and very easy) creation of personal websites and support for backing up and syncing iCal calendar and Address Book contacts. However the anti-virus software Virex has not been reintroduced, despite the fact that it is now Tiger-compatible.

'.Mac provides the simple and elegant online experience consumers expect from Apple,' said Rob Schoeben, Apple's VP of Applications Marketing. 'By tapping into the power of the Internet from within the applications they use the most, .Mac members around the globe have discovered a better way to experience the Internet.'

The changes are reflected at www.mac.com. .Mac costs £68.98; the Family Pack is £119.99.