Apple launched its iCloud.com beta tonight. The beta is intended for developers to test their iCloud syncing functionality, though there has been some confusion about who exactly had access. Early on, it seemed that Apple inadvertently allowed access to more than just developers, but we now hear that Apple has started shutting out these non-developer users.
iCloud is Apple's upcoming syncing and storage service for both iOS 5 and OS X Lion. iCloud (the service) stores your music, photos, apps, calendars, documents and keeps it in sync across multiple devices. iCloud.com (the website) represents Apple's MobileMe website replacement that gives users online access to their Calendar, Email, Address Book, Find My Phone and iWork data. The entire interface borrows heavily from iOS and Lion and incorporates many nice graphical flourishes and animations.
This quick walkthrough video by helpfulmactips2010 shows the different pieces in place:
Apple has also revealed the pricing for additional iCloud storage. iCloud comes with 5GB of free storage, and the additional pricing is as follows:
• 10GB Additional, $20/year
• 20GB Additional, $40/year
• 50GB Additional, $100/year
Apple has said that purchased music, apps, and books, as well as Photo Stream, don’t count against your free 5GB storage.
Much more about iCloud should be revealed as the launch nears. Apple has promised that iCloud will launch this fall alongside iOS 5. OS X Lion will also need an update to fully support iCloud.
Top Rated Comments
It costs $25 a year, not $100, to store your music in iCloud. Stop being so ignorant.
Secondly, if you have 3 places to put your music, then that's all good. iTunes Match isn't for you. Its meant to make your music iCloud compatible. If you don't find the service to fufill your needs, don't complain about it. No one said you had to get it. :rolleyes:
I think people are getting confused. iCloud's focus is on sync and using cloud storage to cache metadata and handle conflicts. It's not there to put up your entire music library or porn collection.
Which is essentially saying I use crappy web apps because they are free.
If iCloud works only with OSX Lion, then I'll stick with Dropbox for now. Wirelessly syncing photos and music at night while my phone is charging is enough for me.
Still using my MacBook 1st generation (Core Duo) for 5+ years, and running Snow Leopard just fine!:D
Happy mac is BACK!
I am planning on paying the $25/yr for 3 reasons. #1, it is more clean with all the correct information and cover art for all the music. #2, it is an upgraded sound for most of my library. #3, if I ever happen to lose all of my music from my mac I can just legally download it all from iTunes again! (HUUUGE plus in my opinion!)
- Joe
Uh because it's free?