Apple iCloud a cloud computing service announced on 6th of June 2011 at Apple WorldWide Developers Conference (WWDC). This service permits the user to store the data on remote computer servers for downloading through multiple devices like iPhones, iPads, iPods etc., and desktops running Mac Operating system X or Microsoft Windows. Apple iCloud stores various music files, notes, contacts, to-do lists, calendars, bookmarks, and other data. Apple iCloud has renewed the MobileMe program, the latest branding to Apple’s cloud computing services.

Apple iCloud History

Previously Apple iCloud was been branded as iTools in 2000, Mac in 2002 and MobileMe in 2008. However, the first official introduction of iCloud came on May 31,2011 during a press release where it was announced that there would be a demo service at WWDC on June 6, 2011 and a banner hung at Moscone Centre for WWDC revealed the Apple iCloud logo five days before the official launch of it. iCloud features include allowing users to store music, photos, documents, Safari, internet explorer bookmarks, iBooks and contacts as well as operating as a platform for Apple’s email servers and calendars.

Each Apple iCloud account has 5 GB memory free storage. Purchased music, books, apps, and Photo Stream service will not cut down this free space. Any music files which are purchased via the iTunes are automatically downloaded to any of the registered devices likewise the iPods, iPhones and computers. When a user registers a new device, all the content of iTunes can be automatically downloaded via it. Photo Stream is a service coupled with the basic iCloud service. This is a service that allows the user to store most recent 1000 pictures on Apple iCloud servers for about 30 days and that too for free. When any photograph is taken on a device modified with Photo Stream then it is automatically uploaded on the iCloud servers and from there, it is automatically distributed to the rest of the user’s registered devices.

Apple iCloud Fees

Apple iCloud will be integrated with the Apple’s TV set-top box, allowing the users to wirelessly view their recently taken photos on their HDTV. As an annual charge of about $24.99 the customers are able to scan and match track in their iTunes music library inclusive of all the tracks that are copied from CD’s and other various sources, with the tracks in the iTunes store. Apple permits users to download about 25,000 tracks at a speed of 256 kbps.

The 5 GB iCloud is available for free and there is a nominal fee for +10 GB service viz about 15 GB service is available for US $20 , UK £14 whereas the +20 or 25 GB total service is for about US $40, UK £28 and the one with +50 GB data storage i.e. 55 GB storage is available for US $100, UK £70. iCloud Communications which is a telecommunication company in Arizona, sued Apple for their trademark infringement shortly after Apple iCloud was introduced; they later changed their name to PhoenixSoft.

Read more on Apple’s website about the Apple iCloud.

Apple iCloud in Closing

If you want to go for Apple iCloud all you need to do is just sign up for that and you’ll get free 5 GB automatically. And that’s plenty of room because of the way iCloud stores your content. This can be the greatest legacy that Apple founder Steve Jobs will have left behind. In a nutshell, Apple iCloud is much more than any old hard drive could be.