Yes, your suggestion for public exposure,followed by a response from Apple, and quick resolution would be ideal.  Perhaps David Pogue would like to lead the Petitioners.  Like many, I have lost access to 90% of my digital purchases from Apple during the past 6 years simply by not entering the "right" Apple ID.  Come on, David, help us out here or some other spokesperson with national coverage.

Great idea. Microsoft have long been slated as the "bad guys" but Apple are getting equally complacent and cocky. I would even probably re-buy some stuff on the iCloud ID if I could start using that in iTunes but IT'S LOCKED OUT on my devices for 90 days?! It's like something from fiction, or a Stalinist State!

Somian wrote:

 

before iCloud, an appleID could've been either MobileMe or just a regular e-mail address. Now, it can me MobileMe or iCloud. But if you want (and have) to use both you can't.

Why can't you use both?  I use my migrated MM address, my iTunes purchase address and my forum Apple ID - all in iCloud.

Ok. I want to sync my reminders with the cloud. The problem is, that the icloud prefpane just shows me "to use iCloud, first move your MobileMe account". But I want to keep my MobileMe account for the e-mail addresses. Of course I could migrate it to iCloud but then I couldn't log into the other icloud account anymore because it allows only one account at a time.

Since the reminders and calendar-appointments are both synced with the mac's calendar app but are synced with different apple IDs (since mobileMe doesn't support reminders), i'd have to log into both accounts to make use of all the iCloud features which is impossible.

Yes, I could move both accounts to icloud, set everything up for the former mobileMe account except the store etc. but it's still annoyin to have two apple IDs. The idea of icloud is to log into any mac or iWhatever and just have your stuff (and i did that with mobileMe a lot) but with two apple IDs i'll have to manually configure every device and tell it which ID goes for which feature of iCloud.

iCLoud supposed to simplify our lives, not make us fiddle with multiple logins…

Exactly...watch Apple's ad for iCloud and look how simple and carefree they make it seem: "take a photo here...and it's already there...start reading here...and finish it there..." and all that.  Then you get into this multi-account fiasco and it's really "enter this ID here, and you're locked out there...enter this ID here...and you lose your apps there..."  It's such a bad, bad, BAD deal for Apple and sends all the wrong messages.

Right on target!  It seems, eventually, the national and world press will reveal the hidden troublespots that have so many of us "loyal" Apple supporters frustrated.  Will it be days, weeks or months before Apple acknowledges these problems and promises they will be promptly fixed.

Besides which, I wonder how much $ Apple will lose because people are afraid to buy something until they figure out if they will be able to access it later.  Honestly, with some of my devices locked out for 90 days, I'm not buying a thing (apps, music, movies, etc.) until I can get everything straightened out. 

Yes, perhaps a boycott of all purchases until we have one unified account that will integrate all our digital purchases would hasten the correction of the "lock-out."  I think the greatest respect/tribute Apple could show for its loss of Steve Jobs would be to first admit the problem publicly, offer an apology to its customers and make resolving the problem highest priority.  Until then, I join in a boycott of all purchases--we deserve better than this being swept under the rug as if it is not a problem.

You guys crack me up. You are really making mountains out of molehills through ignorance. None of you have lost access to your purchases. If you have a 90 day quarantine on changing IDs, it is for auto-downloading "new" purchases from this day forward and that is all. It doesn't deny you access to your previous purchases or new purchases. You have access to all of your previous and new purchases at once from any number of IDs through iTunes on your computer or on your iDevice...you can sync all of your prior purchases and new purchases to your iDevices just as you always have with your USB cord or through the new wireless itunes sync. And if you don't sync them that way and, as a result, don't have some previous purchase on your iDevice that you want, then just go to the Store settings on your iDevice and sign out from the ID you are in and then sign in with the ID you want that has your purchases and then download them...no 90 day penalty unless you turn on auto-downloading of new purchases with multiple IDs and even then it would only be a 90 day penalty for auto-downloading meaning if you buy something new, the item will not automatically go to your other idevices...that is, you still have access to your purchases, it just won't autodownload. For example, if you buy a new song on your iphone, it automatically downloads to your ipad at home. If you have a 90 day quarantine, the song won't go to the ipad, but you still have it on your phone. If you do have the 90 day quarantine, to get your song on the ipad from your iphone, you would then have to sync with itunes on your computer as you always have done but now you can use the wireless itunes sync so it is even better either way....get it?

Apple is really only guilty of not allowing for ID merging and then not clearly explaining to the masses with their various multiple ID situations how to make the transition to iCloud. Once you figure out your situation and the proper way to transition, iCloud is FANTASTIC and works like a charm.

While there are a variety of multiple ID situations, most people have a mobileme ID and one other ID with their purchases. If that is you, the solution is very simple: Transition to iCloud using your mobileme ID, then sign into all iTunes stores on your computer and idevices using the ID with your purchases (on your idevice, go to settings, then Store, then change the ID if it needs changing to the ID with the purchases). After that, just forget your ID with the purchases and sit back and enjoy iCloud. Not only that, go ahead and get a refund on your unused MobileMe subscription (CASH!). Getting a refund on your mobileme doesnt affect your iCloud with your formerly mobileme @me.com email address at all.

Boycott if you must, but seems to be a waste of time IMHO.

Also, if you have other ID scenarios, here is a great article that may help: http://www.macworld.com/article/163013/2011/10/all_about_icloud_common_signup_sc enarios.html#lsrc.nl_mwweek_h_crawl

Forgive me, but I am one of the ignorant ones who has been with Apple since the Apple II and now have 3 Mac computers and 6 Apple devices, three running iOS 5.  I am familiar with all the scenarios as explained in the MacWorld article you cite. 

Nevertheless, the main problem is if you have an older non-email Apple ID with lots of purchases and also a newer e-mail Apple ID with lots of purchases there are problems.  You quickly dismiss the 90-day lockout as no problem since you will not lose your purchases.  The 90-day lockout was not explained until after you attempt to access your purchases with another account--then you hit the wall.   You seem to think Apple is blameless for its refusal to allow merging and the rest of us are simply ignorant of iCloud "bliss." 

From your enchantment, I understand that you are not in the position I am in and so are many others.  We have legitimate problems and gripes that deserve solutions.  To think that Apple has not caused any barriers, confusion and problems is nonsense.  I am glad you are totally taken by the iCloud and, in theory, I agree it sounds good.  Unfortunately, you are in the silent majority and do not empathize with well-intentioned criticism.  Make you a bet that Apple will authorize merging accounts before year's end.

All of these solutions are freaking extra hassles I didn't want or ask for for, by the way.  Apple has, to me, stood for making life simpler and more hassle-free...but that image for me is taking a big hit here. 

This may be of some help, but it's unfortunately titled

Apple Not Offering Apple ID Merging

'Make you a bet that Apple will authorize merging accounts before year's end.'

You would lose that bet!

I notice at the top of this thread that it says "Branched to a new discussion.", and you get an error when trying to follow the link.  I hope this means it's been branched to an Apple employees only area, and so someone is actually taking notice of our frustration.  I'm probably hoping in vain, though.