Introducedat the company ’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference , Apple ’s iCloud sync divine service has the potential to help meg of user keep their information omnipresent among all their gimmick .
But what exactlyisiCloud ? How does it compare to MobileMe ? How much will it cost ? We answer these interrogative sentence — and many more — below , split up by section . need to hop-skip to a specific section ? We answer questions ongeneral information and storage , papers and data sync , Photo Stream , purchase management and iTunes Match , location awareness , mobile championship , andtroubleshooting iCloud problem .
General iCloud questions
What is iCloud ?
In poor , iCloud is a catchall musical phrase that cover Apple ’s total suite of wireless sync and backup services , which direct to keep your machine — both iOS , and desktop computers run OS X Lion , Windows Vista , or Windows 7 — on the same page , no matter which one you ’re using at any given present moment .
Why is Apple doing this ?
You can buy more storage from the iCloud preference pane.
When Steve Jobs spoke about iCloud , he said that Apple was conk to demote the computer to be “ just another gadget . ” So , rather than your Mac being the digital hub for your media and personal entropy , that caper would be taken over by on-line services — specifically , iCloud . Given that now that many of us have not only multiple calculator but also one or more mobile computer science devices such as the iPhone , iPod tinge , and iPad , this makes a hatful of signified . Coordinating all your information between these devices has become a chore — particularly when you attempt to do it all from a single information processing system . The hope of iCloud is that sync media and data point will “ just work . ” Just enter your Apple ID on your various gadget and iCloud will make trusted that all those devices have the most up - to - date content on them .
Of course , there ’s also the big picture : By creating a system where all your computing devices communicate seamlessly and let you access your media on demand , Apple is making it even more appealing to persist in the Apple ecosystem and to buy even more Apple machine .
Is n’t that what MobileMe does ?
Yes and no . iCloud will offer up some of the same features as MobileMe , but not all , and it will add together new features , as well .
What does this mean for MobileMe ?
MobileMe will be blend the way of the dodo . More on thatin a bit .
You can buy more storage from the iCloud preference pane.
What does iCloud proffer ?
As with MobileMe , iCloud can synchronise your contacts , calendars , electronic mail , and Safari bookmarks between iOS devices and computers . But it will also proffer document memory board , pic storage , purchase management , locating knowingness , and mobile backup for iOS devices .
What will this cost ?
Browsing purchased music on an iPad.
All base iCloud account ( which issue forth with full sync features , relief , and 5 GB of storage ) are free . If you want to advance your storage or pay for Apple ’s iTunes Match feature , you’re able to give a yearly fee .
Do I get an email computer address ? Does it remain @me.com or shift to something else ?
You do ! When you sign up for a raw iCloud invoice , you ’ll get to pick an email address that looks like this:user@me.com . If you already have an Apple ID and are upgrading to iCloud , you’re able to choose whether or not to sign up for a me.com address ; if you have a MobileMe , .Mac , or iTools chronicle , you ’ll be able-bodied to keep your current @me.com or @mac.com address when converting to iCloud .
Will it make for with all my devices ?
To use iCloud , you ’ll require your devices to be running iOS 5 ( if they ’re mobile),OS hug drug Lion(if they ’re Macs ) , or Windows Vista or Windows 7 ( if they ’re PCs ) . unluckily , this means that Snow Leopard and iOS 4 user are — for the time being , if not permanently — left out in the cold .
How much will I be able to store on iCloud ?
5 GB of data with a free iCloud report . That depot space covers ring armour , documents , and mobile backup data . Your buy music , apps , account book , and Photo Stream photo ( more on thatbelow — won’t count against your 5 GB limit .
What if I necessitate more storehouse ? Will there be a way to ante up for more ?
you’re able to grease one’s palms more storage from the iCloud preference pane .
Find My iPhone is one of the features we expect to stick around.
Yup . orchard apple tree offers several tiers of storage , priced by the year . you could advance to 15 gilbert for $ 20 / year , 25 GB for $ 40 / year , or 55 GB for $ 100 / yr . If you vary your mind , Apple also admit you to scrub at any time and encounter a prorate refund ( you ’ll only be charge for the portion of the year you used the supernumerary storage for , rather than the full amount ) , or select a plan to downgrade to at the end of your billing year .
you could purchase more computer storage from your Mac , PC , or on your iOS gimmick . On your Mac , launch the System Preferences app and get across on the iCloud button . From there , tick Manage , then Buy More Storage . On your PC , you’re able to discover similar preferences in the controller panel , under connection and Internet . If you ’re purchasing store on your iOS twist , tip the configurations app , then iCloud - > Storage & Backup - > Buy More computer memory .
How does iCloud liken with Dropbox and SugarSync ?
Unlike Dropbox and SugarSync , which are design to let you sync any single file or folder on your computing machine through their services , iCloud is focused on integration with apps : Any iCloud - enable app will sync document mechanically to the service ’s server . As such , you wo n’t be able-bodied to sync item-by-item single file from apps that do n’t proffer iCloud sustenance .
Will theatrical role of iCloud be accessible with a web browser ?
Yep . Just like MobileMe , you could see your Mail , Contacts , Calendars , and access feel My iPhone through your browser app by going toicloud.com . In addition , you could get at your iWork for iOS document , and upload iWork text file from your Mac to iCloud so that you could work on them in your apps .
When will iCloud be up and die hard ?
All iCloud features are uncommitted right now if you ’re run iOS 5 on your mobile gadget and Lion on your Mac . iTunes Match is uncommitted for those run iTunes 10.5.1 or later on OS X Lion or Snow Leopard .
Document and data sync
Will iCloud memory board and back up any file I need it to ?
Not quite.iCloud will sync documentscreated with Apple ’s apps ( Pages , Numbers , and Keynote , for representative ) as well as any third - company apps that are adapted to take advantage of the servicing . Presumably , Io and Mac developer will eventually get on the iCloud bandwagon , but there will be a transition point where some apps will synchronise with iCloud and others wo n’t . That signify substance abuser will demand to be careful not to assume that all their Indian file are automatically saved to iCloud , because only some apps will do the occupation .
If you have iCloud ’s mobile reliever feature enabled , the service will store your app’sdata — its documents , game saves , etc — but will not synchronize it to other calculator or gimmick .
Will I be able to use iCloud to synchronise options and other data between my Macs ?
Other than the information mentioned — exposure , media , mail , touch , and calendars — not at this time . But it ’s entirely likely that iCloud ’s purview may expand to software program datum on the Mac : It may only be a matter of time before you ’ll be capable to sync , say , your software and system setting , and perhaps even your login Roger Huntington Sessions , between your Macs .
Can I choose what syncs and what does n’t , per gimmick ?
Yep . you’re able to selectively enable contact , calendars , monitor , bookmarker , notes , Photo Stream , Find My iPad , and iCloud relief on and off individually on each machine .
Can I sync with more than one iCloud account on my machine ?
you’re able to , but only one iCloud account can be the primary score ( tie in with your Photo Stream , Find My iPhone , Backups , and document sync ) . Secondary ( and 3rd ) accounts can only synchronise mail , contacts , calendar , reminders , bookmarker , and notes .
What fall out to data when you delete a plot and reinstall it ? Is there a mode of repair biz saves ?
If your game has iCloud support , your game saves can be synced , so you’re able to pause on an iPad and pluck up on an iPhone .
Photo Stream
What about my photos ?
iCloud include a feature call Photo Stream , which motorcar - import any new pictures taken on an iOS twist ( or added to iPhoto / Aperture on your Mac ) and stores them for 30 solar day . you may view those photos on ( and in some case , download them to ) your other iOS devices , reckoner , and even your Apple TV . Because of sizing concerns , pic syncing is circumscribe to 1000 motion-picture show on iOS gadget ; you ’ll see your full stream of image on any of your supported screen background computers . ( Though you ca n’t run iPhoto on a Windows PC , Apple says Photo Stream can still make for : you ’ll but choose a folder on your hard driving force that you want to use as your “ photo library ” . )
Only 1000 images ? What about all my other impression ?
While it ’s unfeigned that iCloud only stores your most - recent images , that does n’t mean you ’ll lose older pictures . Any pictures sent to iPhoto ( or , on a Windows PC , to its indicate ikon brochure ) will be for good stack away on your computing machine .
Can I delete an image from my Photo Stream ?
Unfortunately , no . you may reset your entire Photo Stream from icloud.com , but there ’s no support for individually delete a picture at this clock time .
Will using iCloud ’s photostream on the Mac require me to upgrade to iPhoto ’ 11 ? Windows users do n’t ask an supererogatory outgo to expend it .
Yes , you ’ll need to upgrade to the latest version of iPhoto for $ 15 , or own Aperture 3 if that ’s your programme of pick .
Purchase management and iTunes Match
What does iCloud do with my purchased iTunes content ?
Using your free iCloud report , you canaccess a complete criminal record of all your purchasesfrom iTunes . Choose to download unexampled music , apps , and rule book automatically ; and redownload anything for free . If you ’ve purchased path from the iTunes Store in the old 128 - kbps protected AAC format and re - download them , they ’ll be birth in that same format — they wo n’t be offered to you as unprotected 256 - kbps AAC files ( for that , you ’ll have to pay 30 cents a track to elevate them through iTunes ) . If rails that you ’ve buy are no longer available from the iTunes Store , you wo n’t be able to re - download them .
Browsing purchased euphony on an iPad .
For a fee ( $ 25 / class ) , you’re able to also enable iTunes Match , which allow you to stream and download any content you ’ve corrupt from the iTunes Store onto your machine . You ’ll also be able to upload any music you own that you did n’t originally buy from iTunes ( see the next question for more information ) .
See our clause on what you require to know about Apple ’s new divine service for more information on iTunes Match
What about music that is n’t from the iTunes Store ( stuff I ripped from CDs myself , say ) ?
In add-on to let you stream and download any rails from iTunes you own , iTunes Match will skim your iTunes program library and match ( if possible ) any of your songs with ones from the iTunes Store , which can then be streamed and download to any one of your iCloud - supported twist .
Even better , once iTunes Match has “ matched ” those tracks , it replaces low - bit rate versions with 256 - kbps , DRM - spare AAC versions . For birdsong that iTunes ca n’t find in its 19 million birdcall library , you ’ll be able-bodied to stash away up to 25,000 extra manually - uploaded cart track . iTunes Match was speculate to found in recent October , butApple missed the release date ; the company has no projected particular date for the prescribed launch .
If I do n’t regenerate iTunes Match after a yr , do I lose those 256 - kbps AAC versions of my rip tracks ?
Can I rain buckets my iTunes - purchased music directly from the Music app or iTunes on my reckoner , or do I have to first download them to a gadget ?
If you have iTunes Match , yes ; if you do n’t , you’re able to listen to a preview of your purchased medicine within the iTunes Store to help you identify a track before download it , but you wo n’t be able to access songs at once from within your Music app or iTunes .
I have a few album I copied from a friend . How will iTunes Match do it which files are sound for me to upload ?
The specifics of how iCloud does or does n’t deal with pirated euphony will likely be a enigma . We ’d judge that if you seek to equate racetrack purchased from someone else ’s iTunes account , you ’ll be told that you do n’t have the right field to use them . Those tracks are watermarked with another Apple ID and therefore easy to identify . As for track that have been downloaded from the Internet , it ’s possible that Apple could look for name characteristic that indicate the music came from a dodgy source . For example , tag , water line , and transonic footprints . On the other paw , it ’s potential that part of the $ 25 you yield each year buys you a bar of pardon from the labels .
What about other iTunes Store content , like movies and podcasts ?
At this period , due to licensing restrictions , you’re able to only re - download medicine , books , apps , and idiot box shows in the U.S. ; other countries may not even have those options . We go for to see Apple extending this feature to other type of content ( Movies , iTunes U ) at some point , but we ’ll have to look until muckle are process out .
Most of my music is on a non - iOS iPod . How does the iPod fit into the scheme of songs being pushed to all gadget ?
iCloud involve an net connective to do its job , which explains why it ’s limited to iOS equipment — which can connect to Wi - Fi networks and , in most cases , 3 gramme information connection as well . We ca n’t see how an iPod nano or classical could ever conform to into the iCloud ecosystem .
Location awareness
How does iCloud use my location ?
As part of your iCloud news report , you may choose - in to two of Apple ’s location - base Service : Find My iPhone and incur My Friends . Find My iPhone is slightly misleading : The service will actually permit you find any iOS machine or Mac you own that you ’ve enabled within iCloud preferences . Find My champion works by circularise your location to any of your Quaker you ’ve allow to see it . you’re able to set up temporary events , circulate your position at all times , or never use the service at all — it ’s up to you .
How do I arrange up Find My iPhone ?
control outDan Moren’sarticle for a good how - to on the guinea pig .
How do I set up Find My friend ?
ascertain outDan Frakes ’s helpful articleon the topic .
Mobile backup
How do I habituate iCloud to back up my iOS gimmick ?
If you have an iCloud report associated with your iPhone , iPod touch modality , or iPad , you may use it to back up your gimmick . If you ’ve possess an iOS twist before , you ’ll find iCloud championship very standardized to tethered iTunes backups . Like iTunes , iCloud backs up selective information on your purchased contentedness ( euphony , apps , and books ) , your Camera Roll , gimmick preferences , information , home screens , message , and ringtones , but instead of saving that information in a file on your computer , the service stores it online instead .
Your purchases themselves are n’t plump for up to your iCloud account ; instead , your backup keeps a phonograph record of what you own . When you reinstate your machine from a backing , those purchase mechanically redownload back in position , aided by your backed - up app information and home screen positioning . This path , you should always be able-bodied to restore information without ever needing to plug your equipment into your Mac or PC .
When your iOS twist is tie to a tycoon source and on a Wi - Fi web , iCloud will back it up automatically once a daytime ; you could also storm a reliever by blend in to the preferences app and tapping iCloud - > Storage & Backup - > Back Up Now .
Can I still make iTunes backups if I back up my machine to iCloud ?
you could , but only manually ; you ’ll have to link your gimmick to iTunes , alter the Backup to Back up to this computer , and press Sync . After the back up has wind up , commute this back to Back up to iCloud to retain backing up remotely .
Troubleshooting iCloud
I ’ve bring lots of Apple IDs . I ’ve contract a MobileMe account I want to change over . I ’ve dumbfound an iTunes write up with all my apps and music on it , we have family MobileMe account for email … what does the advent of iCloud mean for me ?
We have afairly comprehensive articleavailable that deals with most vernacular signup scenario , include dealing with multiple accounts . you could also check out Lex Friedman ’s article on configure iCloud if you share an Apple ID , and one on configure separate iCloud and MobileMe accounts .
Can you use the Mail app with a custom field , or does it have to be me.com ?
you may use Mail with any chain armour account you desire . But iCloud ’s email system is based alone on the me.com domain .
With “ the truth is in the cloud ” ringing rightful for both Lion and iOS 5 , what about people who require local copies of everything ( for instance , POP vs. IMAP ) ?
It seems like Apple ’s solution here is to push everything back out to all the Macs or PCs attached to your chronicle . But if you ’re uncomfortable with having the canonical course of your data point be on Apple ’s servers , iCloud may not be for you .
Can you delete apps from all your devices through iCloud ?
It does n’t look like there ’s any facility to delete items on other twist from a single machine . Which is overnice , because it might make the other citizenry who partake your Apple ID quite wild .
Will iCloud wipe out up my data plan ? Or will it only use Wi - Fi ?
iCloud seems to be intentionally focused on Wi - Fi syncing . Backups wo n’t happen unless you ’re on Wi - Fi and plug in , for case . But some features will synchronize over cellular connexion , and yes , they will use your data point plan . drug user on limited datum program will need to study their iCloud strategy carefully .
For the MobileMe users…
I ’m a MobileMe user . What happen now ?
You will be able to convert your MobileMe chronicle into an iCloud bill when the new service launches . suss out out Apple’sMobileMe passage documentor ourcommon signup scenariosarticle for more information .
Can I get a refund ?
If you ’ve late purchased a boxed update and have n’t used the code yet , or have an fresh code in your score , you may be eligible for a repayment . Apple hasposted a reenforcement docdetailing how the operation works . you’re able to alsorequest a pro - place refundfor the remaining luck of your subscription . For everyone else , Apple has extended your MobileMe subscription until June 30 , 2012 . After that appointment , MobileMe will stop to officiate .
What will happen to MobileMe feature such as Galleries , iWeb , iDisk , Backup , and Back To My Mac ?
Find My iPhone is one of the features we expect to stick around .
Galleries , iDisk , iWeb , and Mac Backup will continue to function as they have for MobileMe users — even if you move your account to iCloud — until June 30 , 2012 . After that period , they ’ll be no more . Back To My Mac is available to Mac users with an iCloud score .
When you move your MobileMe story to iCloud , however , you will fall back one thing immediately : extra sync feature . Unlike MobileMe , iCloud will not synchronize Dock items , keychains , organisation preference , or Dashboard thingamabob .
update on 11/2/11 2:50 p.m PT to tot novel info and clarify questions .
