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The cloud-based system allows users to store music, photos, applications, documents, [[Safari (browser)|Safari]] bookmarks, iBooks and contacts, as well as serving as a platform for Apple's email servers and calendars. According to InfiniteApple and ''The Register'', iCloud "simply manages links to uploaded content" hosted in turn by Microsoft's [[Windows Azure]] and [[Amazon Web Services]].<ref>{{cite web|author=infiniteapple |url=http://www.infiniteapple.net/apple-icloud-azure-use-tested-confirmed/ |title=Apple iCloud Azure use tested, confirmed |publisher=Infiniteapple.net |date=2011-06-13 |accessdate=2011-08-30}}</ref><ref name="register">[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/02/icloud_runs_on_microsoft_azure_and_amazon/ Apple's iCloud runs on Microsoft and Amazon services]</ref>
The cloud-based system allows users to store music, photos, applications, documents, [[Safari (browser)|Safari]] bookmarks, iBooks and contacts, as well as serving as a platform for Apple's email servers and calendars. According to InfiniteApple and ''The Register'', iCloud "simply manages links to uploaded content" hosted in turn by Microsoft's [[Windows Azure]] and [[Amazon Web Services]].<ref>{{cite web|author=infiniteapple |url=http://www.infiniteapple.net/apple-icloud-azure-use-tested-confirmed/ |title=Apple iCloud Azure use tested, confirmed |publisher=Infiniteapple.net |date=2011-06-13 |accessdate=2011-08-30}}</ref><ref name="register">[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/02/icloud_runs_on_microsoft_azure_and_amazon/ Apple's iCloud runs on Microsoft and Amazon services]</ref>


Each account has 5 GB of free storage. Purchased music, apps and books and the Photo Stream service will not reduce this free space. Any music files purchased via [[iTunes]] are automatically downloaded to any registered devices e.g. iPods, iPhones and computers. When a user registers a new device, all iTunes content can be automatically downloaded.<ref>{{cite web|last=Myslewski |first=Rik |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/06/06/icloud |title=Apple opens iCloud to world+dog |publisher=The Register |date=2011-06-06 |accessdate=2011-08-30}}</ref>
Each account has 5 GB of free storage. Purchased music, apps, books, and the Photo Stream service will not reduce this free space. Any music files purchased via [[iTunes]] are automatically downloaded to any registered devices e.g. iPods, iPhones and computers. When a user registers a new device, all iTunes content can be automatically downloaded.<ref>{{cite web|last=Myslewski |first=Rik |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/06/06/icloud |title=Apple opens iCloud to world+dog |publisher=The Register |date=2011-06-06 |accessdate=2011-08-30}}</ref>


===Photo Stream===
===Photo Stream===

Revision as of 11:45, 13 October 2011

iCloud
Developer(s)Apple Inc.
Initial releaseDevelopers release
June 6, 2011
Public release
October 12, 2011[1]
Operating systemMac OS X
Windows
iOS
TypeCloud service
LicenseFreeware
Websitewww.icloud.com

iCloud (the successor to MobileMe) is a cloud storage and cloud computing service[2][3][4] from Apple Inc. announced on June 6, 2011 at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The service allows users to store data such as music files on remote computer servers for download to multiple devices such as iPhones, iPods, iPads, and personal computers running Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows. It also replaces Apple's MobileMe program,[2][3][4] acting as a data syncing center for email, contacts, calendars, bookmarks, notes, to-do lists, and other data.

History

iCloud is the latest branding of Apple's cloud computing services. It has previously been branded as iTools in 2000, .Mac in 2002, and MobileMe in 2008.[2][3][4]

According to an Apple support page, MobileMe will be discontinued after June 30, 2012, and anyone who had an account as of the unveiling of iCloud has been extended to that date, free of charge.[5]

The official website, www.icloud.com, went live in early August for Apple Developers. On October 13th, 2011, icloud became available for download via Itunes Update.[6]

Announcement

The first official mention of iCloud from Apple came on May 31, 2011, when a press release[7] announced that it would demo the service at the WWDC on June 6, 2011. A banner hung at the Moscone Center for WWDC revealed the iCloud logo five days before the official launch.[8]

In the WWDC 2011 keynote speech,[9] Apple announced iCloud will replace MobileMe services and that the basic iCloud service will be free of charge.

Features

The cloud-based system allows users to store music, photos, applications, documents, Safari bookmarks, iBooks and contacts, as well as serving as a platform for Apple's email servers and calendars. According to InfiniteApple and The Register, iCloud "simply manages links to uploaded content" hosted in turn by Microsoft's Windows Azure and Amazon Web Services.[10][11]

Each account has 5 GB of free storage. Purchased music, apps, books, and the Photo Stream service will not reduce this free space. Any music files purchased via iTunes are automatically downloaded to any registered devices e.g. iPods, iPhones and computers. When a user registers a new device, all iTunes content can be automatically downloaded.[12]

Photo Stream

Photo Stream is a service bundled with the basic iCloud service. This service allows users to store the most recent 1,000 photos on the iCloud servers up to 30 days for free. When a photo is taken on a device with Photo Stream enabled, it is automatically uploaded to the iCloud servers. From there, it is automatically pushed to the rest of the user's registered devices. Apple has also announced that the service will be integrated with the Apple TV set-top box, allowing users to wirelessly view their recently taken photos on their HDTV. [13]

iTunes Match

For an annual charge of $24.99,[14] customers can scan and match tracks in their iTunes music library, including tracks copied from CDs or other sources, with tracks in the iTunes Store. Apple will let customers download up to 25,000 tracks in 256 kbps AAC file format that match tracks in any supported audio file format in the customers' iTunes libraries.[15] Customers can also upload any music that is not available in the iTunes Store for download onto other supported devices or computers.

Back to My Mac

Back to My Mac, previously part of MobileMe, is now included with iCloud.[16] This service allows users to login remotely to other computers configured with the same Apple_ID that have Back to My Mac enabled.

Pricing

The tiered pricing structure of Apple's iCloud service is as follows:[pricing 1][pricing 2][pricing 3]

  • 5 GB: free
  • +10 GB (15 GB total): US$20, UK£14, €16
  • +20 GB (25 GB total): US$40, UK£28, €32
  • +50 GB (55 GB total): US$100, UK£70, €80

Current MobileMe members have automatically been given the 20 GB tier until the close of the MobileMe service on 30 June 2012. As with members manually upgrading, a credit/debit card will have to be filed on account, as all accounts will be set up to automatically renew, with the next year's charge being applied on the same day as MobileMe closes. Users can downgrade to the free 5 GB before next year to avoid the automatic billing.[pricing 4]

Name dispute

iCloud Communications, a telecommunications company in Arizona, sued Apple for trademark infringement shortly after Apple announced iCloud.[17][18] The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court of Arizona and demanded that Apple stop using the iCloud name and pay unspecified monetary damages.[18][19] iCloud Communications changed its name to Clear Digital Communications in August 2011 and dropped its lawsuit against Apple shortly thereafter.[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Press Info - Apple Introduces iCloud". Apple. June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "Switched On: Apple's cloud conundrum". Engadget. June 13, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c "Fourth time's a charm? Why Apple has trouble with cloud computing". ArsTechnica. June 8, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c "4th Time a Charm for Apple? From iDisk to .Mac to MobileMe to iCloud". Wired. May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
  5. ^ "Information about the MobileMe transition". Support.apple.com. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  6. ^ http://www.apple.com/itunes/?cid=OAS-US-DOMAINS-itunes.com
  7. ^ "Apple to Unveil Next Generation Software at Keynote Address on Monday, June 6" (Press release). Apple Inc. May 31, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  8. ^ Lee, Daniel (June 2, 2011). "WWDC 2011: OS X, iOS 5, iCloud coins unveiled (PHOTO LEAKS)". International Business Times Hong Kong. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  9. ^ "WWDC 2011 Keynote Speech". Apple Inc.
  10. ^ infiniteapple (June 13, 2011). "Apple iCloud Azure use tested, confirmed". Infiniteapple.net. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  11. ^ Apple's iCloud runs on Microsoft and Amazon services
  12. ^ Myslewski, Rik (June 6, 2011). "Apple opens iCloud to world+dog". The Register. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  13. ^ "Apple's iCloud Connects People and their Photos". InfoTrends InfoBlog. June 8, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  14. ^ "iCloud". Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  15. ^ "iTunes Match: $24.99/Year, Matches Ripped Tunes, Offers Them In The Cloud". MacRumors. June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  16. ^ Transition from MobileMe to iCloud,[1],"Apple.com",12 October 2011
  17. ^ "iCloud Complaint". Scribd. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  18. ^ a b "Apple's iCloud Sued for Trademark Infringement - Lessons from its Predecessors". International Business Times. June 13, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  19. ^ "Apple iPhone 5's Potential Ace iCloud Accused Of Infringing On Trademark". International Business Times. June 13, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  20. ^ Arizona company drops iCloud suit, changes name

Pricing

  1. ^ "Apple.com – iCloud: Storage Upgrade Options". Apple, Inc. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  2. ^ Gurman, Mark (August 1, 2011). "iCloud pricing per year: $20 for 10GB, $40 for 20GB, $100 for 50GB (update: UK and EU prices)". 9to5mac. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  3. ^ Panzarino, Matthew (August 2, 2011). "Apple's iCloud Pricing: 5GB free, $20 for 10GB, $40 for 20GB and $100 for 50GB". The Next Web. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  4. ^ Foresman, Chris (August 8, 2011). "MobileMe users to get 25GB of storage in upcoming iCloud transition". Ars Technica. Retrieved September 5, 2011.