iCloud is a new release from Apple that offers cloud computing; a form of remote storage and syncing for all Macs and Apple devices. All new Macs and Apple products are made ready for iCloud with only a few small steps to take before successful setup is complete.
With iCloud, Apple users have access to their own secure “hard drive in the sky” that’s available on their iPhone, iPad, iPod, iPod Touch or Mac.
iCloud replaces Apple’s MobileMe service and it offers users so much more in terms of storage and safety. Save space on your computer, phone or iPod hard drive by keeping it all in the cloud. You’re also protected against losing your data due to system crashes or theft.
Features of iCloud
So what’s so great about iCloud? How does it differ from any other cloud computing storage facility and why all the hype surrounding it?
To start with, the basic service is free of charge. Not only is it easy to use, but it’s also completely automatic. Whatever content it stores for you is always available, yet not sitting on your hard drive consuming much needed space for… well, other things.
When I say “completely automatic” I mean that all your content is available on all your devices using iCloud. Any changes you make on one device are automatically updated across all your devices. Pretty smart, don’t you think?
What can iCloud store for you? iCloud stores all your apps, your iTunes, photos, contacts, reminders, bookmarks, documents, notes and more. Buying music on iTunes? Any tunes you purchase will become immediately available on all your registered devices without any syncing required.
What else can users expect from iCloud? These are a few of the features that I thought were the most pertinent. There are many more that you’ll no doubt uncover through daily use, but these were the ones that I felt would benefit me:
- Safe and secure storage; peace of mind is a winning factor.
- Find my iPhone; users can track the approximate location of their phones at any time of the day. If stolen, Find my iPhone can erase all the contents on the phone or even change the password.
- Photo Stream; a free service that stores 1,000 of your most recent photos on iCloud for up to 30 days; as with all your other content, every time you take a new photo, it automatically updates on all your devices.
- Access all your goodies, photos, apps, music from whichever device you’re using.
- All your emails, calendars and contacts are kept up to date across the board.
- No syncing required.
- With the iCloud basic service you get 5GB of free storage; it goes a long way when you consider that Photo Stream, TV shows, books, apps and music don’t form a part of your 5GB.
If you’re looking to secure your data, photos, music and apps combined with increased available hard drive space and less administration; iCloud is an excellent option for you. Even if you’re not looking for all of the above, it’s still an excellent way to organize your bits and pieces.
About Katherine Stott