What is iCloud?
ICloud is a web-based offering from Apple that allows users to share music and other kinds of data among their compatible devices using a centralized iCloud account as the conduit for the sharing. It is the name for a collection of apps and services, not of a single function.
All iCloud accounts have 5GB of storage by default. Music, photos, apps, and books do not count against that 5GB limit. Only Camera Roll (photos not included in Photo Stream), mail, documents, account info, settings, and app data count against the 5GB cap.
How Does It Work?
To use iCloud, users must have an
iTunes account. When certain kinds of data are added or updated on compatible devices, they will be automatically uploaded to the user's iCloud account and then automatically downloaded to the user's other devices. In this way, iCloud is both a storage tool and a system to keep all your data in sync across multiple devices.
With iTunes
When it comes to music, iCloud allows users to automatically sync songs to their compatible devices. First, when you
purchase music from the iTunes Store, it is downloaded onto the device you bought it on. When the download is complete, the song is then automatically synced to all of the other devices using the iTunes account via iCloud.
Each device will also show a list of all songs purchased via that iTunes account in the past and allow the user to download them, free of charge, to their other devices by clicking a button.
All songs will be 256K
AAC files. This feature supports up to 10 devices.
Apple is referring to these features as
iTunes in the Cloud.
With Photos
Using a feature called
Photo Stream, photos taken on one device will be automatically uploaded to iCloud and then pushed down to other devices. This feature will work on Mac, PC, iOS, and the
Apple TV. It stores the last 1,000 photos on your device and your iCloud account, though the iCloud account retains the photos for only 30 days. No word yet on what happens to them after that.
With iBooks
As with other kinds of files, iBooks books can be downloaded to all compatible devices without an extra fee. Using iCloud,
iBooks files can be bookmarked so you're reading from the same place in the book on all devices.
With Apps
You'll be able to see a list of all the apps you've purchased via the iTunes account being used with iCloud. Then, on other devices that don't have those apps installed, you'll be able to download those apps free or charge.
With Documents
With an iCloud account, when you create or edit documents in compatible apps, the document will automatically upload to iCloud and then sync to all devices also running those apps. Apple's Pages, Keynote, and Numbers apps include this feature already. Third-party developers will be able to add it to their apps.
Apple is referring to this feature as
Documents in the Cloud.
With Data
Compatible devices will automatically backup music, iBooks, apps, settings, photos, and app data to iCloud over Wi-Fi every day.
ICloud also includes a calendar-sharing feature, automatic syncing of contacts in the address books of all compatible devices, and automatic syncing of email messages for devices using Apple's @me.com email accounts.
For New Devices
Since iCloud will have a backup of these files, you will be able to easily download them to new devices when you purchase them. This includes apps and music, but does not require an additional purchase.
With Email, Calendars, and Contacts
Since iCloud replaces Apple's previous MobileMe service, iCloud also offers a number of the web-based apps that MobileMe did. These include web versions of email, address book, and calendar programs that can be accessed through a web browser and will be up to date with any data backed up to iCloud.
How Do I Turn on iCloud?
You don't. If you're using iOS 4.3 and iTunes 10.3, the iCloud features that are available are automatically enabled on your devices. To learn more about using these features, check out:
What is iTunes Match?
ITunes Match is an add-on service to iCloud that saves users time in uploading all their music to their iCloud accounts. While music purchased through the iTunes Store will automatically be included in iCloud, music ripped from CDs or purchased from other stores won't be. ITunes Match will scan the user's computer for these other songs and, instead of uploading them to iCloud, simply add them to the user's account from Apple's database of songs. This will save the user substantial time in uploading their music. Apple's song database includes 18 million songs and will offer music in 256K AAC format.
This service supports matching of up to 25,000 songs per account, not including iTunes purchases.
iCloud Requirements
- iTunes 10.3 or higher
- iOS 4.3.1 or higher
- iPhone 3GS or higher
- 3rd generation iPod touch or higher
- iPad or higher
- For iTunes Match: iOS 5 or higher, Mac OS 10.7 or higher, Windows Vista or 7
What Does iCloud Cost?
The core iCloud services--iTunes in the Cloud, Photo Stream, Documents in the Cloud, sharing iBooks, calendars, contacts, and mail, and app downloads--are free. Included in the free service is 5GB of storage. Extra storage above the 5GB costs:
- 10GB - $20/year
- 20GB - $40/year
- 50GB - $100/year
You can buy more iCloud storage from within the iOS starting in iOS 5.
ITunes Match will cost US$24.99/year, with no limit on the included storage space.
When Will It Be Released?
A beta was released June 6, 2011, but the official release of iCloud was Oct. 12, 2011.
