Apple Inks Deal to Use Google Cloud Platform for Some iCloud Services

Wednesday March 16, 2016 3:48 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple has signed a deal with Google that will see the Google Cloud Platform providing some of the cloud infrastructure for iCloud and other cloud-based Apple services, reports CRN (via Business Insider). Apple reportedly established a $400 to $600 million deal with Google last last year and has, as a result, "significantly" cut down on its reliance on Amazon Web Services (AWS).

googlecloudplatform
According to the sources, Google executives have told partners that Apple is spending between $400 million and $600 million on Google Cloud Platform, although this couldn't be independently confirmed. Also unclear is whether this range refers to an annual spending rate or a set amount of capacity.
While the money Apple is now paying Google was previously spent on AWS, Apple has not stopped using Amazon's cloud computing services entirely. Apple has never confirmed the cloud services that power iCloud, but past rumors have pointed towards AWS and Microsoft Azure, suggesting Apple will continue using multiple services to meet its needs.

According to The Information's Amir Efrati, who has confirmed Apple's plans, it will take a year for Apple to transition to using Google Cloud Platform.
Since last year, Google has been aggressively pursuing deals for its Google Cloud Platform, led by former VMware CEO Diane Greene. Google and Amazon have been involved in ongoing pricing wars, but Google claims to be the "price/performance leader" in public cloud and says its Google Cloud Platform is between 15 and 41 percent less expensive than AWS.

In the future, Apple may scale back on the money it spends on third-party cloud computing platforms, based on its data center plans. Apple is building new data centers in Ireland, Denmark, Reno, and Arizona, plus it is expanding its existing data center in Prineville, Oregon.

In Arizona, Apple's data center will be located at the former GT Advanced sapphire plant and has been described as a "command center" for Apple's global data network. Apple says the Arizona location is "one of the largest investments" the company has made.

Tags: Google, Amazon, iCloud, Google Cloud Platform, AWS
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bushido
49 months ago
haha all those Google haters
Rating: 25 Votes
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lunarworks
49 months ago
Well, that solves the FBI's backdoor problem.
Rating: 24 Votes
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thefredelement
49 months ago
Given Apple's view on privacy I hope they roll out their data centers sooner rather than later.
Rating: 19 Votes
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drumcat
49 months ago
Well, it's not like they were going to run it on OSX Server. Even they know better.
Rating: 18 Votes
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rdlink
49 months ago

haha all those Google haters


It's not a hatred of Google. It's discomfort at their business model. If Apple is okay with giving them money for a support service that's their business. Just like Apple buying Samsung and LG components. As long as I don't have to be Google's product or directly support the poor customer support of LG and crappy corporate citizenship of Samsung.
Rating: 11 Votes
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Risco
49 months ago
Next up - Apple signs deal with Google to access their map data.
Rating: 9 Votes
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HobeSoundDarryl
49 months ago
Could someone find some evidence that says that these Google servers run on Samsung hardware and post it? Can't we go for a full fan meltdown instead of just half of one? ;)
Rating: 8 Votes
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kds1
49 months ago
Nasty. Google is such a piece of ****.
Rating: 7 Votes
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DUCKofD3ATH
49 months ago

('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/03/16/apple-icloud-google-cloud-platform/')


Apple has signed a deal with Google that will see the Google Cloud Platform providing some of the cloud infrastructure for iCloud and other cloud-based Apple services, reports CRN ('http://www.crn.com/news/cloud/300080062/cloud-makes-for-strange-bedfellows-apple-signs-on-with-google-cuts-spending-with-aws.htm') (via Business Insider ('http://www.businessinsider.com/google-nabs-apple-as-a-cloud-customer-2016-3')). Apple reportedly established a $400 to $600 million deal with Google last last year and has, as a result, "significantly" cut down on its reliance on Amazon Web Services (AWS).


While the money Apple is now paying Google was previously spent on AWS, Apple has not stopped using Amazon's cloud computing services entirely. Apple has never confirmed the cloud services that power iCloud, but past rumors have pointed towards AWS and Microsoft Azure, suggesting Apple will continue using multiple services to meet its needs.

According to The Information's Amir Efrati ('https://twitter.com/amir/status/710197339894353920'), who has confirmed Apple's plans, it will take a year for Apple to transition to using Google Cloud Platform.
Since last year, Google has been aggressively pursuing deals for its Google Cloud Platform, led by former VMware CEO Diane Greene. Google and Amazon have been involved in ongoing pricing wars ('https://cloudplatform.googleblog.com/2016/01/Happy-New-Year-from-Google-Cloud-Platform-still-the-price-performance-leader-in-public-cloudom-google-cloud.html'), but Google claims to be the "price/performance leader" in public cloud and says its Google Cloud Platform is between 15 and 41 percent less expensive ('https://sadasystems.com/blog/google-solutions/google-cloud-platform/cloud-pricing-comparison-2016-google-cloud-platform-vs-aws') than AWS.

In the future, Apple may scale back on the money it spends on third-party cloud computing platforms, based on its data center plans. Apple is building new data centers in Ireland, Denmark ('https://www.macrumors.com/2015/02/23/apple-new-data-centers-europe/'), Reno ('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/05/apple-second-reno-data-center/'), and Arizona ('https://www.macrumors.com/2015/02/02/apple-building-global-command-center/'), plus it is expanding ('https://www.macrumors.com/2015/04/08/apple-major-expansion-oregon-data-center/') its existing data center in Prineville, Oregon.

In Arizona, Apple's data center will be located at the former GT Advanced sapphire plant ('https://www.macrumors.com/2015/02/02/apple-building-global-command-center/') and has been described as a "command center" for Apple's global data network. Apple says the Arizona location is "one of the largest investments" the company has made.

Article Link: Apple Inks Deal to Use Google Cloud Platform for Some iCloud Services ('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/03/16/apple-icloud-google-cloud-platform/')

Hey, Tim! What happened to "We believe that we need to own and control the primary technologies behind the products that we make."

I foresee problems ahead.
Rating: 7 Votes
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sw1tcher
49 months ago

Apple has signed a deal with Google that will see the Google Cloud Platform providing some of the cloud infrastructure for iCloud and other cloud-based Apple services....


haha all those Google haters


Will those haters stop using iCloud and other Apple services now?
Rating: 7 Votes

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