Apple Reportedly Using Chinese Server Supplier to Migrate iCloud Service

Apple is reportedly working with China-based server vendor Inspur to help transfer its iCloud data services in-house, according to sources out of the China supply chain (via DigiTimes).

Currently Apple is thought to rely heavily on Amazon Web Services (AWS) to host many of its cloud server requirements, but the company’s data center plans suggest it is looking to scale back the money it spends on third-party cloud computing platforms as its data demands increase.

Inspur currently has a share of over 60 percent of China's internet server market, and has previously agreed partnerships with Microsoft, Intel, IBM, and other technology companies looking to expand their server capacity. Inspur already has facilities close to Apple's headquarters in California that include an R&D team as well as a production center.

Neither Apple nor Inspur have confirmed the rumor, but sources within the supply chain quoted by Taiwan-based website DigiTimes have proven reliable in the past.

Last month, Apple signed a deal with Google worth between $400 million and $600 million that will see the Google Cloud Platform providing some of the cloud infrastructure for iCloud and other cloud-based Apple services.

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 until its own data centers are all fully operational.

Apple is currently building new data centers in Ireland, Denmark, Reno, and Arizona, and is expanding its existing data center in Prineville, Oregon.

Tags: digitimes.com, iCloud

Top Rated Comments

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SSD-GUY

49 months ago

Well say bye bye to privacy and security then.

Rating: 18 Votes

maflynn

49 months ago

Since china couldn't invent a damn thing they had to buy into/ask for tech transfers and then this! No nation could do this in 4 decades, it took the United Stats to build it

You do realize the US's space program succeeded in the 50s and 60s in large part because of German scientists they came here after the war, or the guns that protect our freedom are here because of the Chinese inventing gun powder.

While the US has created many great wonders, and invented a lot of awesome technology, China has a history that spans millennia and it includes great achievements that are not easily swept under the rug.

Rating: 14 Votes

TheralSadurns

49 months ago

Whenever I read about something being "Fully operational" I cannot help but think of the Deathstar!

Rating: 12 Votes

keysofanxiety

49 months ago

Yeah, hopefully they'll remember to guard the exhaust ports.

Or make sure that the shield generator on Endor's forest moon isn't taken down by a few teddy bears.

Rating: 12 Votes

H2SO4

49 months ago

Since china couldn't invent a damn thing they had to buy into/ask for tech transfers and then this! No nation could do this in 4 decades, it took the United Stats to build it as no one else could and the U.S gave them the Panama Cannel for free worth 5 Trillion U.S and everyone is up their ass! Servers in the U.S! I wonder why, to spy wake up! I will not be using iCloud any more!

Might just be me, but often when I see your posts for a maybe split second at least words like, racist and bigot pop into my head. Anyhow, that’s just my opinion.
Wikipedia has a different view of things, (below is a small snippet);
China ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Science_and_Technology_in_China') has been the source of many innovations ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innovations'), scientific ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific')discoveries ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_(observation)') and inventions ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invention').[1] ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chinese_inventions#cite_note-1') This includes the Four Great Inventions ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Great_Inventions'): papermaking ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papermaking'), the compass ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compass'), gunpowder ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder'), and printing ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_typography_in_East_Asia') (both woodblock ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodblock_printing') and movable type ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movable_type')). The list below contains these and other inventions in China attested by archaeology or history.

For ease, I’ve included a hyperlink for you HERE ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chinese_inventions').

Rating: 7 Votes

RichTF

49 months ago

Well say bye bye to privacy and security then.

Yeah, they should only deal with the US, as the US government has no interest in hacking its citizens' personal data.

Oh, wait.

Edit: Applies to the UK government too, sadly.

Rating: 7 Votes

CaTOAGU

49 months ago

Whenever I read about something being "Fully operational" I cannot help but think of the Deathstar!

Yeah, hopefully they'll remember to guard the exhaust ports.

Rating: 6 Votes

bdhokie

49 months ago

I supported Apple's efforts to protect privacy in the FBI case until now. Total, complete fail Apple. Using a Chinese vendor for cloud services? If true, you have lost all credibility in your claim you care about privacy.

There is zero chance a Chinese vendor isn't, eventually, going to be subject to the whims of the Chinese government. Tim Cook - you are a fraud ( if this is true).

Seriously - Apple couldn't find an American company? How about Canadian? British... ??

('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/04/11/apple-chinese-server-supplier-migrate-icloud/')

Apple is reportedly working with China-based server vendor Inspur to help transfer its iCloud data services in-house, according to sources out of the China supply chain (via DigiTimes ('http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20160411PD200.html')).

Currently Apple is thought to rely heavily on Amazon Web Services (AWS) to host many of its cloud server requirements, but the company's data center plans suggest it is looking to scale back the money it spends on third-party cloud computing platforms as its data demands increase.

Inspur currently has a share of over 60 percent of China's internet server market, and has previously agreed partnerships with Microsoft, Intel, IBM, and other technology companies looking to expand their server capacity. Inspur already has facilities close to Apple's headquarters in California that include an R&D team as well as a production center.

Neither Apple nor Inspur have confirmed the rumor, but sources within the supply chain quoted by Taiwan-based website DigiTimes have proven reliable in the past.

Last month, Apple signed a deal ('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/03/16/apple-icloud-google-cloud-platform/') with Google worth between $400 million and $600 million that will see the Google Cloud Platform providing some of the cloud infrastructure for iCloud and other cloud-based Apple services.

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 until its own data centers are all fully operational.

Apple is currently 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/'), and is expanding ('https://www.macrumors.com/2015/04/08/apple-major-expansion-oregon-data-center/') its existing data center in Prineville, Oregon.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly Using Chinese Server Supplier to Migrate iCloud Service ('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/04/11/apple-chinese-server-supplier-migrate-icloud/')

Rating: 5 Votes

jayducharme

49 months ago

You do realize the US's space program succeeded in the 50s and 60s in large part because of German scientists they came here after the war, or the guns that protect our freedom are here because of the Chinese inventing gun powder. While the US has created many great wonders, and invented a lot of awesome technology, China has a history that spans millennia and it includes great achievements that are not easily swept under the rug.

The U.S. has been a lot like Steve Jobs, hasn't it? It's taken the discoveries and inventions of others, modifying and improving them to suit its needs. In a similar way, Bach, Mozart and Beethoven didn't invent music, but found a way to use musical concepts to take that art to the next level. Maybe that's what genius is, the synthesis of known ideas into something new and transformational.

Rating: 5 Votes

keysofanxiety

49 months ago

Lol, if they fail to prevent infiltration by teddy bear, I'm moving to android.

If we're keeping the Star Wars theme, I'm not sure Android would be much better ;)