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Revision as of 10:04, 19 May 2012

This article is about the cloud service operated by Apple Inc. For the service previously named icloud by Xcerion, see CloudMe.

iCloud
Developer(s)Apple Inc.
Initial releaseDevelopers release
June 6, 2011
Public release
October 12, 2011[1]
Stable release
1.1.0 / March 7, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-03-07)
Operating systemMac OS X Lion
Windows
iOS5
TypeCloud service
LicenseFreeware
Websitewww.icloud.com

iCloud 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 iOS-based devices, and personal computers running OS X or Microsoft Windows. It also replaces Apple's MobileMe service,[2][3][4] acting as a data syncing center for email, contacts, calendars, bookmarks, notes, to-do lists, and other data. As of 2012, the service has over 125 million users.[5]

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]

MobileMe will be discontinued after June 30, 2012, with anyone who had an account before the unveiling of iCloud having their MobileMe service extended to that date, free of charge.[6]

The official website, www.icloud.com, went live in early August for Apple Developers. On October 12, 2011, iCloud became available to use via an iTunes update.[7] iCloud had 20 million users in less than a week after launch.[8]

Announcement

The first official mention of iCloud from Apple came on May 31, 2011, when a press release[9] announced that it would demonstrate 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.[10]

In the WWDC 2011 keynote speech, Apple announced iCloud will replace MobileMe services and that the basic iCloud service will be free of charge.[11]

Features

The cloud-based system allows users to store music, photos, applications, documents, bookmarks, reminders, backups, notes, iBooks, and contacts, as well as serving as a platform for Apple's email servers and calendars. Third-party iOS and OS X app developers are able to implement iCloud functionality in their apps through the iCloud API.[12]

iOS device backup and restore

iCloud allows users the option to back up iOS devices online (alternatively users can choose to continue to backup to their computers), thus they can be restored from online backup without connecting to a computer.[13]

Find My iPhone

Find My iPhone, formerly part of MobileMe, allows users to track the location of their iOS device, or Mac. A user can see the device's approximate location on a map (along with a circle showing the radius depicting the margin of error), display a message or play a sound on the device (even if it is set to silent), change the password on the device, and remotely erase its contents.[14]

Photo Stream

Photo Stream is a service supplied with the basic iCloud service which allows users to store the most recent 1,000 photos on the iCloud servers up to 30 days free of charge. 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. The service is also integrated with Apple TV, allowing users to wirelessly view their recent photos on their HDTV.[15]

Back to My Mac

Main article: Back to My Mac

Back to My Mac, also previously part of MobileMe, is now part of iCloud.[16] As before, this service allows users to login remotely to other computers configured with the same Apple ID that have Back to My Mac enabled.

iTunes Match

iTunes Match debuted on November 14, 2011, initially available to US users only.[17] For an annual fee,[18] 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 lets customers download up to 25,000 tracks in 256 kbit/s DRM-free AAC file format that match tracks in any supported audio file format, including ALAC and mp3, in the customers' iTunes libraries, with users having the additional option on their computers to keep the original version stored there or to replace it with the version from the iTunes Store as they wish.[19] Any music not available in the iTunes Store is also able to be uploaded by users for download onto their other supported devices or computers, but online storage needed for the upload of tracks not available in the iTunes Store is taken from the users separate iCloud storage service allowance, as non-iTunes Store audio storage is not included, because the annual charge is for the matching of non-iTunes bought music only.

If a user stops paying for the service, the downloaded music in DRM-free AAC format already stored on any device is able to be kept,[20][21] whether iOS devices or computers.[20]

iTunes Match is currently available in 37 countries, including USA, Australia, United Kingdom, Mexico, Spain, and Canada.[22] The annual charge is $24.99,[mp 1] £21.99,[mp 2] €24.99,[mp 3] C$27.99,[mp 4] Mex$300.00,[mp 5] or CHF35.[mp 6]

Storage pricing

Each account has 5 GB of free storage for owners of either an iOS device using iOS 5.x or a Mac using OS X Lion 10.7.x. However certain content purchased from Apple's iTunes Store (currently this includes music, apps, audiobooks, music videos, TV shows, and movies) does not count towards the included free 5 GB limit, as it is separately linked from Apple's iTunes database of content to the users' connected Apple ID. This means that any content previously purchased via iTunes Store can automatically, or manually if preferred, be downloaded to any registered device (i.e. iOS devices, and computers). Also, when a user registers any new device, all previously bought iTunes content can be downloaded from the iTunes servers, or non-iTunes content from the iCloud servers.[23]

On introduction in 2011, 5 GB of storage was available without charge. Additional storage could be purchased in tiers of 10, 20, or 50 GB (50 GB being the maximum) for US$20, UK£14, or €16 per 10 GB per year.[sp 1][sp 2][sp 3]

In addition to the free 5 GB, MobileMe members (to be precise, those on "individual" memberships, or the master account user only, not the sub-accounts, for "family pack" memberships) were automatically given the extra 20 GB tier, until the close of the MobileMe service on June 30, 2012.Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).

System requirements

iCloud requires a device running iOS 5.x or a Mac running Lion to create a new account.[24] Synchronising with a PC requires Windows Vista (Service Pack 2) or Windows 7 using iCloud control panel,[25] optionally Outlook 2007 or later to sync Calendar, Contacts and Reminders, and optionally Internet Explorer 8 or later or Safari 5.1.1 or later to sync Bookmarks. Online access to iCloud requires a compatible web browser.[26] Current MobileMe account users can move their account to be an iCloud account, keeping the same account details.[27]

Name dispute

iCloud Communications, a telecommunications company in Arizona, sued Apple for trademark infringement shortly after Apple announced iCloud.[28][29] 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.[29][30] iCloud Communications changed its name to Clear Digital Communications in August 2011 and dropped its lawsuit against Apple shortly thereafter.[31]

Privacy

iCloud data is kept encrypted on Apple servers, but Apple maintains a master key and can decrypt it when requested by government agencies.[32]

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. ^ "$110B in the bank and other monster numbers". April 25, 2012.
  6. ^ "Information about the MobileMe transition". Support.apple.com. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  7. ^ "iTunes – Everything you need to be entertained". Apple. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  8. ^ "Big mo: In one week, Apple iCloud hits 20M users; 25M use iOS 5". October 17, 2011.
  9. ^ "Apple to Unveil Next Generation Software at Keynote Address on Monday, June 6" (Press release). Apple Inc. May 31, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "WWDC 2011 Keynote Speech". Apple Inc.
  12. ^ "iCloud for Developers". Apple Inc.
  13. ^ "Apple's iCloud Apps, Books and Backup". Apple Inc.
  14. ^ "Apple's iCloud Apps, Books and Backup". Apple Inc.
  15. ^ "Apple's iCloud Connects People and their Photos". InfoTrends InfoBlog. June 8, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  16. ^ Transition from MobileMe to iCloud,[1],"Apple.com",October 12, 2011
  17. ^ "What's new in iTunes". Apple, Inc. November 14, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
  18. ^ "iTunes Match pricing on Apple". Apple Inc. June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  19. ^ "iTunes Match: $24.99/Year, Matches Ripped Tunes, Offers Them In The Cloud". MacRumors. June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  20. ^ a b "iCloud Features: iTunes in the Cloud". Apple, Inc. November 14, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
  21. ^ Caldwell, Serenity; Breen, Chris; Friedman, Lex (November 16, 2011). "iTunes Match: What you need to know". MacWorld. IDG. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  22. ^ "iTunes Match Availability". Apple, Inc. November 14, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  23. ^ Myslewski, Rik (June 6, 2011). "Apple opens iCloud to world+dog". The Register. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  24. ^ "What is iCloud? (requirements on small print on bottom of page)". Apple Inc.
  25. ^ "iCloud Control Panel for Windows". Support.apple.com. October 12, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  26. ^ "Learn how to setup iCloud on Windows". Apple. October 12, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  27. ^ "Apple IDs and iCloud". Support.apple.com. October 12, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
  28. ^ "iCloud Complaint". Scribd. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  29. ^ a b "Apple's iCloud Sued for Trademark Infringement – Lessons from its Predecessors". International Business Times. June 13, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  30. ^ "Apple iPhone 5's Potential Ace iCloud Accused Of Infringing On Trademark". International Business Times. June 13, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  31. ^ Arizona company drops iCloud suit, changes name
  32. ^ Apple holds the master decryption key when it comes to iCloud security, privacy

iTunes Match pricing

  1. ^ "iCloud – Features". Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  2. ^ http://www.apple.com/uk/itunes/itunes-match
  3. ^ Caldwell, Serenity; Breen, Chris; Friedman, Lex (November 16, 2011). "iTunes Match: What you need to know". MacWorld. IDG. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  4. ^ http://www.apple.com/ca/itunes/itunes-match
  5. ^ http://www.apple.com/mx/itunes/itunes-match
  6. ^ http://www.apple.com/chde/itunes/itunes-match

iCloud storage 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". The Next Web. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
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