Apple has introduced several improvements to its .Mac service.

.Mac upgrades include:
- more e-mail and file storage (1 GB total, up from 250 MB)
- new forums, file sharing options (.Mac Groups)
- new and improved file backup tool (Backup 3)
- full French and German localization (in addition to English and Japanese)

First Impressions
Backup 3 has a different user interface, automatic backup for iLife files, and other new features that answer some of the requests I made here.

I'm sure it's no coincidence that this update took place just before the anniversary of the first paid .Mac subscriptions. Most original subscribers face renewal in the next 2-3 weeks.

Update: It looks like the QuickPicks system in Backup has been updated to allow third parties to add their own -- like this QuickPick for Delicious Library data. Very nice!