New in OS X: Get MacRumors Push Notifications on your Mac

Resubscribe Now Close

Apple Working to Create its Own Cloud Storage Infrastructure

Thursday March 17, 2016 3:55 pm PDT by Juli Clover
icloud_icon_blueApple is working on building its own cloud infrastructure to reduce its dependence on services like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, according to information shared by Re/code and VentureBeat. A project called "McQueen" is underway at Apple, with a team of employees working to create an in-house cloud storage system.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Apple already has a team working on this; it's known internally as "McQueen," as in Steve. It's unclear if that project will materialize or when. But a source tells Re/code that the codename refers to Apple's intent, sometime in the next few years, to break its reliance on all three outside cloud providers in favor of its own soup-to-nuts infrastructure.
According to VentureBeat, Apple is unhappy with AWS's inability to quickly load photos and videos onto iOS devices, something its own cloud system could fix. Apple executives reportedly believe that creating a full cloud infrastructure could pay for itself within three years. Estimates suggest Apple spends upwards of $1 billion on cloud services each year.
Project McQueen kicked off after a conversation between a Microsoft employee and an Apple employee, the source said. Azure won't be able to handle the growth of Apple's workloads in the future, meaning Apple would have to pay much more in order to help Microsoft cover the cost of expanding Azure's data center infrastructure, the Microsoft person told the Apple person.
Apple is already investing significant money into building new data centers around the world and is said to be planning for data centers in China and Hong Kong. Data centers are in the works in Ireland, Denmark, Reno, and Arizona, plus Apple is expanding its existing data center in Prineville, Oregon. Apple's Arizona data center, located in the former GT Advanced sapphire plant, is positioned as a "command center" for Apple's global data network. Apple has described the Arizona location is "one of the largest investments" the company has made.

While Apple carries out plans to build its own cloud computing service, it will continue to rely on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. Apple has long used AWS and Microsoft Azure, while Google Cloud Platform is a new partner that inked a deal with Apple late last year.

VentureBeat cautions Apple's plan to create its own cloud infrastructure is still in the early stages, while Re/code says it is not clear if and when the project could materialize. Apple could abandon the plan and stick with its current providers or instead acquire a cloud infrastructure product in the future.

Tags: recode.net, iCloud Guide, venturebeat.com
[ 126 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
Andres Cantu
43 months ago
Apple, can you please raise the 5GB limit for iCloud to at least 10GB? Thanks!
Rating: 32 Votes
Avatar
\-V-/
43 months ago

Apple, can you please raise the 5GB limit for iCloud to at least 10GB? Thanks!

It really is a pathetic amount, even for free.
Rating: 14 Votes
Avatar
Michaelgtrusa
43 months ago
They should a get rid of Google asap.
Rating: 12 Votes
Avatar
Porco
43 months ago
I don't care how much storage they have just as long as the data centers are 0.5inches thinner than the last ones! ;)
Rating: 11 Votes
Avatar
dan110
43 months ago
I thought that's why they built all those datacenters around the globe for?
Rating: 11 Votes
Avatar
Bubba Satori
43 months ago

5 GB serves the needs of many customers.

If you need more, you can purchase 50 GB for $0.99/ mo (3.3 cents/day), 200 GB for $2.99/mo (10 cents/day), or 1 TB for $9.99 (50 cents/day).

Simply pay for what you need.


Kind of late for an Apple press release.
Rating: 9 Votes
Avatar
\-V-/
43 months ago

But thank you for your obvious solution.

It's the go-to obnoxious and unhelpful response. :)

I would rather they give us PER device.

Yeah 5 GB shared is the dumbest idea ever. It's bad enough having 5 GB on one device. Having to split that storage across several is asinine.
Rating: 8 Votes
Avatar
AppleScruff1
43 months ago
IMO, Apple should use whatever service(s) that provides the best service and security for its users.
Rating: 7 Votes
Avatar
coolfactor
43 months ago
Makes sense. I hope it results in wicked awesome servers again.

Remember the good ol' days...?

Virginia Tech launches G5-based Supercomputer....
http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2004/01/2004-233.html
[doublepost=1458256213][/doublepost]

Apple, can you please raise the 5GB limit for iCloud to at least 10GB? Thanks!


Pay and you can have 10x that, or more. Problem solved.
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
pavelbure
43 months ago

I thought that's why they built all those datacenters around the globe for?



Those aren't data centers, they are bank vaults.:D
Rating: 6 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]