iCloud
 | |
| Developer(s) | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|
| Initial release | Developers release June 6, 2011 Scheduled public release Fall 2011[1] |
| Operating system | Mac OS X Microsoft Windows iOS |
| Type | Cloud service |
| License | Free |
| Website | www.apple.com/icloud |
iCloud is a cloud computing service (formerly iTools, .Mac and MobileMe)[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 for download to multiple devices such as iPhones, iPods, iPads, and personal computers running Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows on computer servers owned by Apple. It also replaces Apple's MobileMe program,[2][3][4] acting as a data syncing center for email, contacts, calendars, bookmark, notes, to-do lists and other data.
History
iCloud is the latest version of Apple's cloud computing services. The previous incarnations included iTools in 2000, .Mac in 2002, and MobileMe in 2008.[2][3][4]
As of June 13, 2011, it was reported that iWeb will be discontinued when MobileMe discontinues. The report was based on an e-mail reportedly sent to Apple's CEO Steve Jobs, that asked if iWeb be discontinued after MobileMe's discontinuation, with a response from Jobs replying "Yep."[5]
Announcement
The first official mention of iCloud from Apple came on May 31, 2011, when a press release[6] 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.[7]
In the WWDC 2011 keynote speech,[8] Apple announced iCloud will replace MobileMe services and that the basic iCloud service will be free of charge.
Basic service
The cloud-based system allows users to store music, photos, applications, documents, iBooks and contacts, as well as serving as a platform for Apple's email servers and calendars. According to InfiniteApple, iCloud uses Microsoft Azure, a service hosted in Microsoft's data centers, to host files.[9]
Each account has 5GB 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.[10]
iTunes Match
For an annual charge of $24.99[11] 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.[12] Any music that is not available in the iTunes Store can be uploaded to iCloud, and then downloaded back onto any other Apple product. It is unknown whether there will be some method of differentiating legally ripped music and pirated music.[13]
Photo Stream
Photo Stream is a service bundled with the basic iCloud service. This service allows users to store 1,000 photos on the iCloud servers 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. [14]
Name dispute
iCloud Communications, a telecommunications company in Arizona, sued Apple for trademark infringement shortly after Apple announced iCloud.[15][16] 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.[16][17]
The previous owner of the iCloud.com URL and a trademark on iCloud was Xcerion, which changed their iCloud offering name to CloudMe.[18]. They were never sued by iCloud Communications, nor had iCloud Communications registered a trademark.
See also
References
- ^ Apple - Press Info - Apple Introduces iCloud
- ^ a b c "Switched On: Apple's cloud conundrum". Engadget. June 13, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); no-break space character in|accessdate=at position 9 (help) Cite error: The named reference "cloudconundrum" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ a b c "Fourth time's a charm? Why Apple has trouble with cloud computing". ArsTechnica. June 8, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2011. Cite error: The named reference "troublecloud" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ 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.
- ^ Steve Jobs Confirms Discontinuation of iWeb in iCloud Transition
- ^ "Apple to Unveil Next Generation Software at Keynote Address on Monday, June 6" (Press release). Apple Inc. May 31, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "WWDC 2011 Keynote Speech". Apple Inc.
- ^ apple icould use azure confirmed
- ^ Apple opens iCloud to world+dog
- ^ "iCloud". Retrieved June 22, 2011.
- ^ iTunes Match: $24.99/Year, Matches Ripped Tunes, Offers Them In The Cloud
- ^ "iTunes Match: a Pirates Life". Retrieved June 23, 2011.
- ^ Apple's iCloud Connects People and their Photos
- ^ iCloud Complaint
- ^ a b Apple's iCloud Sued for Trademark Infringement - Lessons from its Predecessors
- ^ Apple iPhone 5's Potential Ace iCloud Accused Of Infringing On Trademark
- ^ http://thenextweb.com/apple/2011/06/02/apple-now-ready-to-launch-icloud-com/
