Apple Announces iCloud, iTunes Match At WWDC 2011

Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled several new Apple services, including iCloud, that underscore a major shift taking place in the tech world as users' information moves from gadgets to the cloud, where it is stored on remote servers and accessible from any device with an Internet connection.

"We're going to demote the PC and the Mac to just be a device," said Jobs, according to a live blog of his remarks at the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote. "We're going to move the digital hub, the center of your digital life, into the cloud."

Apple described iCloud as a service that is integrated with apps and "stores your content, and wirelessly pushes it to all your devices." In essence, it will provide a way to ensure that users' data, whether contacts, photos, appointments, or apps, is consistent and equally accessible across Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and PC.

Jobs highlighted how iCloud will work with several different apps, including iBooks, the App Store, and iWork. For example, contacts that are added to an iPhone will be sent to the cloud, then synced across all other Apple devices a user has. Likewise, a Calendar update will be pushed across multiple devices, automatically. Jobs noted that iCloud will regularly back up certain information, via WiFi, such as purchased music, device settings, and photos, then push this data across a user's devices. A photo taken on an iPhone will instantly be accessible on a user's iPad and Mac.

iCloud will be available for free and there will be no ads on the service, as had been rumored. The cloud-based storage system will work on iOS devices (the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch), as well as on Macs.

Jobs also announced iTunes in the Cloud, a service that will download any song a customer has purchased on iTunes on all of her devices without additional cost.

The CEO's trademark "one more thing" announcement focused on iTunes Match, a $24.99 per year service that will help users put any music they've uploaded to their computer (but not purchased via iTunes) on the cloud by scanning and matching the songs (more about it here).

The process will take "minutes, not weeks," said Jobs, with an implicit dig at Google, which launched a music service that has been criticized for taking hours to upload songs to its servers. He also explained that whereas Amazon charges $50 for 50GB of storage (or around 5,000 songs, by Apple's estimation), and around $200 for 20,000 songs, iTunes Match will cost the same--$24.99--whether you're uploading 20 songs or 20,000.

"It's an industry-leading offer, let's put it that way," Jobs remarked.

Read more about Apple's other announcements, including iOS 5, Mac OS X Lion, and more, here. See Jobs onstage at WWDC here.

Comments

[signinname]

01:53 PM on 06/07/2011

This is brain...poison...

I'm not trying to sound like a Google-zealot but I do have a Droid.
Calendar in the cloud that's instantly available? Check.
Email? Well yeah...hence the E
Documents in the cloud? Yes.
Messaging service? Yes.
A true photo-album integrated experience? No. Not yet at least. Wait until Google reads this and buys Snapfish or whatever. For this create a shortcut on your desktop that takes you to snapfish. Pretty difficult to accomplish...

Music. This is an interesting one. How many GBs of music do you have? Ok. How many do you actually listen to (be realistic) in 1 month? 1GB? 2? That's pretty many songs. By Apple's estimate, 1-2000. Now you could buy all of those songs, averaged out to a mere $1500, and store them locally and in iCloud. OR you could use any device ever to go to Pandora, pay nothing (or pay for Pandora One for next to nothing) and listen to the vast majority of your songs and more. The caveat- not all music is available on Pandora. If you're willing to give up a little you can save a lot.

I don't hate Apple, I just think iCloud is malarky.

[JohnTheMac]

03:42 PM on 06/07/2011

save a lot?
The iCloud is free.
The $24 is only if you want music you bought elsewhere or RIP'd yourself, etc, to be stored on icloud, otherwise, just sync it like you always did.
And none of those Google apps are as transparent as the iCloud version.
It's not just storing documents in the cloud, it's doing so automatically, so when you pick up another device, all the changes are there.
A shortcut to snapfish???
This isn't working like you think. Watch the keynote speech , especially the last third, and tell me how snapfish is doing what photo stream will do.

[ProudToBeVeryLiberal]

04:01 PM on 06/07/2011

"The iCloud is free."

Irrelevant, he's talking about MUSIC and Apple will charge you to access the music you have ALREADY purchased. They're charging you to access your own property. But I'm sure you'd be OK if Apple charged you to access your own files from any Apple device. Let's say $24.99 a year to have the "privilege" to see your photos through a magic Apple device... OMG I'm giving them ideas... ;)

[Jay from Ottawa]

01:34 PM on 06/07/2011

We're going to demote the PC and the Mac to just be a device," said Jobs

- Not bying it for a second. So are you, Mr.Jobs, saying that you'll let your devices use accepted world wide standards like USD connectors instead of apple exclusive cables that require everyone buy a new cable instead of using any of their existing cables ? Or maybe do what every other device on the planet allows you to do, which is to move MP3s directly from your computer to your device without having to go through iTunes ? Didn't think so.

Sorry Jobs, but I'm still going to stay far away from apple devices and their training wheeles.

[JohnTheMac]

03:46 PM on 06/07/2011

" let your devices use accepted world wide standards like USD connectors instead of apple exclusive cables that require everyone buy a new cable instead of using any of their existing cables ?"

all iOS devices come with a cable and a charger. Non-issue. USD???

" Or maybe do what every other device on the planet allows you to do, which is to move MP3s directly from your computer to your device without having to go through iTunes ?"

Is that really such a stumbling block? What's your problem with iTunes? The cost?

[ProudToBeVeryLiberal]

04:05 PM on 06/07/2011

"all iOS devices come with a cable and a charger."

You lose it, and they'll charge you $35 for a new one. I lose my smartphone cable and I can buy a generic on eBay for $5. Yeah, EXACTLY the same thing, LOL...

"What's your problem with iTunes?"

Just because you like digital slavery, it doesn't mean everybody has to. I want to be free to move my music files to and from my computer and mobile devices however I see fit.

[ProudToBeVeryLiberal]

04:20 PM on 06/07/2011

Cost of a charger replacement.

Apple = $35
Anything else = $5 (generic on eBay.)

Yeah right, EXACTLY the same thing...

[JohnTheMac]

08:28 AM on 06/08/2011

The Apple connector is sturdier and larger. Great for connections in cars or on those boomboxes where that connector is supporting most of the weight of the player.

A lot of haters don't like the consistency of using this iPod connector for so many years now because so many of the products work interchangeably. They typically hate the free iTunes software, because so many people download it (even people with NO Apple devices, just as a good mp3 player program), and those people seem to be able to hit the road running with every device they put out.
Contrast this to devices I've had in the past, like the Treo 650 "Smart" phone. Syncing it to my mac was a labor! I thankfully forget the details, but there were auxillary programs like "Conduit for Palm" that you had to load, and some kind of "virtual Palm environment" which looked like I could enter tons of data on a desktop, and have it sync to the Treo. I never figured that out, and got the Contacts to sync maybe two times, and the second time it didn't Merge, but just add the names twice!
My contract on that Treo ended ONE WEEK before the first iPhone came out. It was a SIGN I tell ya! LOL.
Working with Mobile me and the Contacts and Calendars, etc has been effortless. Against this backdrop, you're putting down such a system as "training wheels".
That's ok, I can find enough hobbies on my own.

[cdub1991]

01:05 PM on 06/07/2011

When trying to assess the gee whiz factor, it's way too easy to lose track of the reality that companies like Apple are in the business of producing products to generate revenue. iCloud is an interesting product to push, since it bundles many varied functionalities under a single umbrella (pun intended). That's cool. There's nothing unique about anything they are doing however, and any of it could be duplicated easily by a reasonably savvy end user. Even the most interesting part--the many-to-one storage and sharing of music files--is comparable to a feature that email servers like Exchange and Notes have had for well over a decade. Old technology in a new package.

Personally, give me the free Orb service and the free version of Logmein, and I'm ready to go. Full access to all (not a subset) of my music and videos and all of my files and applications on my home system. Only disadvantage is needing an always-on computer. Really need a cloud app for some reason? Microsoft Live, Zoho, Google, Dropbox--plenty of other options.

Whatever suits your needs. Just don't acquire a brand because it's a brand, however. Assess one's true needs and choose accordingly. Use the freedom you have.

[JohnTheMac]

03:53 PM on 06/07/2011

"Personally­, give me the free Orb service and the free version of Logmein, and I'm ready to go. Full access to all (not a subset) of my music and videos and all of my files and applicatio­ns on my home system. Only disadvanta­ge is needing an always-on computer."

So, you have a PC with log me in, always on, and what do you do with logmein? This sounds very tedious! Tell me how you copy the functions of Photostream. Two phones in different parts of town, sharing photos concurrently. I got to hear this.

" Really need a cloud app for some reason? Microsoft Live, Zoho, Google, Dropbox--p­lenty of other options."

That's great, glad you like options! This is another option, shouldn't you cheer?

[cdub1991]

04:39 PM on 06/07/2011

Of course iCloud is a valid option, and I have zero problem with it. The more the merrier, I say--that' my point. I'm just saying this is a product, like many others. One should access one's needs and choose the solution(s) that satisfies them best. If that's iCloud, that's cool. Choose the one that's best for what you are trying to achieve, not the one that simply matches the "color" of your other stuff. (I'm speaking metaphorically, of course).

Logmein is essentially a remote assess application and it is stunningly easy to use. Not the least bit tedious; quite the opposite. It allows access without having to go through intense configuration rigamarole. Don't know if it is Mac compatible, however; would have to check. The free service is very useful, but the paid service is too expensive.

I don't know what Photostream is, so I'm not sure if I can speak to it. Once again--it's a question of what you're trying to do. Actually, with Orb, one can also access your photo folders. You can set up a user account for your friend so that they can access select folders on your system. Pictures, music whatever. You can also set up a public site, if the spirit moves you. That may not be what you are referring to, however. If it's true concurrency you're after, you can do that with Skype or other whiteboard sharing type applications or websites. (That probably is more trouble than it's worth.)

[cdub1991]

04:41 PM on 06/07/2011

P.S. Obviously, Logmein is not a streaming app. It's just for working at your home desktop.

[the-lexicon]

12:45 PM on 06/07/2011

I know who ELSE has the data.

The other week, I was looking for a replacement part for a piece of equipment. Today, EVERY SINGLE PAGE on the internet is trying to sell me that part. Ahh, cookies and the cloud. c'es bon!

Within 2 years, we'll be learning how to PROTECT ourselves from "the cloud."

[the-lexicon]

12:44 PM on 06/07/2011

test

[bxbbrian]

11:17 AM on 06/07/2011

Apple has never been known to be very original, but at least they always managed to successfully claim credit for perfecting features, even if they stole them from others.

Apple has however been steadily falling behind in innovation stakes, and instead of leading now seems to be copying the headline features of their competitors, and poorly also.

From stealing Android notifications to the Windows Phone 7 camera button (which of course largely fails due to the lack of a hardware camera button) to bizarrely touting the fact that you don%u2019t need a PC anymore to start using your phone, it suddenly became very clear that in fact the Apple innovation engine ran out of stream, and instead of leapfrogging Mango, as had been expected, iOS is starting to fall behind.

Further examples is the the Skydrive-like iCloud, wireless sync, the poor twitter integration, which does not take advantage of your twitter friends, the proprietary iMessage service, unlike the cross platform Live Messenger and Skype and the hardly utilized Game Centre, which is a pale shadow of Xbox Live.

[jayburd]

01:52 PM on 06/07/2011

Wow. Are you a Microsoft operative? If so, you're describing your own company, not Apple.

[DSOTM]

11:00 AM on 06/07/2011

And somewhere out there in the stars
A keen-eyed look-out
Spied a flickering light
Our last hurrah, our last hurrah
And when they found our shadows
Grouped around the TV sets
They ran down every lead
They repeated every test
They checked out all the data on the Net
And then the alien anthropologists
Admitted they were still perplexed
But on eliminating every other reason
For our sad demise
They logged the only explanation left
This species has amused itself to death
No tears to cry no feelings left
This species has amused itself to death

[Robert Turner]

10:48 AM on 06/07/2011

Apple's big announcement: Yawn.
But then again, they are so far ahead of every other tech company, it's easy to come to expect a lot from them.

[stepintothelight]

10:29 AM on 06/07/2011

Part two:

If you choose to pay (used MobileMe for years and it's been worth it) you have access to all of your entertainment anywhere ... I use a Mac Mini at home running OSX Server and can stream ANYTHING from ANYWHERE that I have on my home network including music libraries (yes with an "s". Power Tunes lets me access any music from any library I have created. Yes it's all a little technical to set this up.

SO APPLE HAS DONE IT FOR YOU! We hard users have been doing something like this for years. Apple just figured out a way to do best. Make it easy and make it work!!!

Since this usage information makes it to the database artist get paid from a pool that doesn't care what the source was.

As for information storage, we have all been using remote servers for years. Some without knowing it. Any server backup operation will have this little control called PERMISSIONS! You have a choice of what is backed up.

The Sky is still up there behind the cloud!!! Steve didn't make it fall!!

[stepintothelight]

10:28 AM on 06/07/2011

Part one of two due to 250 word limit:

A friend in the music industry informed me that his royalty checks have increased since the record company that owns his label signed their Apple deal for iTunes. As a licensing artist myself who receives residuals occasionally, I thank Apple for opening up these new channels of distribution while maintaining avenues for additional income revenue.

For all of you who are criticizing the pool that is created from the 24.99 option service, Artist can now get some payment for their property that's been enjoyed by pirates worldwide at the artists expense. Everyone is not a pirate .... but enough are. For every one of your legally ripped CD's there are a thousand pirated versions.

Apple found a way to make everybody happy enough to progress in this area of delivery.

You choose to or not to use it. If you do it is offered for free.

[Kybernaught]

10:45 AM on 06/07/2011

Pirates shouldn't be your concern. Not when the executives win huge monetary rewards from said pirates and none of it gets shared with the artists.

[stepintothelight]

10:51 AM on 06/07/2011

We would need 6 hours and a bottle of Tequila for that conversation!!!

[DSOTM]

10:58 AM on 06/07/2011

I'm not disputing your claim, but illegal downloading did not destroy the music industry. Around the same time Napster made its debut, DVD's and Video Games were also coming onto the market.

The music industry was destroyed by additional choices. A parent gives a kid $20 a week allowance, the kid goes to Best Buy, now he has to decide between CD's, DVD's and Video Games.

[stepintothelight]

11:11 AM on 06/07/2011

True ... Or that kid could download the files, geek out on assembly, and get it for free. I think "greed" destroyed the industry. They were fighting for control of a digital world using analog methodology. Apple has offered a way to keep options for distribution in a progress mode while everyone works out their piece of the greed pie. The artist has always suffered but continues to create art. The numbers are clear and up front when dealing with Apple. I don't think it's the final market model but it gives everyone plenty to ponder .... and improve on.

[ProudToBeVeryLiberal]

03:43 PM on 06/07/2011

"I'm not disputing your claim"

I am, never believe a fanboi, they're just like republicans, they say something and never post any evidence to back it up.

iTune pays the artists a mere 9 cents out of every iTune download. Cloud music services pay in the range of $0.001 to $.01. Apple hasn't revealed their pay prices yet, but you can bet it will be in the same range, or even less, as iTunes actually pays artists less than comparable services from other companies.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/17/tech/cnettechnews/main5318276.shtml

[Andy49]

09:36 AM on 06/07/2011

We scream about privacy then we move our entire on line life on to a remote server. Next the hackers will hit these servers and your personal data is history. The real story is that the computer industry does not want you to actually own any of their applications just pay a rental fee to use them. Imagine the cost when it is all added up, for all the monthly fees these industries are about to get.

[stepintothelight]

10:32 AM on 06/07/2011

So you truly believe that you will have no choice of what data get's backed up??? You really don't understand how this stuff works do you?

[Kybernaught]

10:45 AM on 06/07/2011

Fear and Understanding rarely go hand in hand.

[Andy49]

11:07 AM on 06/07/2011

Of course I do but the majority of the population has no clue how it all works. I personally have my own system to protect my data and if it is accessed I would be very surprised as it is never on line or on a machine that is one line.

[JohnTheMac]

09:04 AM on 06/08/2011

I think for decades now, all my Mastercard or Visa bills with all transactions have been kept on a computer. Likewise for all my tax returns to the IRS, and any company I ever worked for had all that payroll info on a server somewhere. Also my banking and transactions are also online, as well as any mortgage information too. Have a blood test lately? The printouts sure look like they were kept on a computer, likely connected to a server somewhere, just like your high school or college transcripts.
Ah, but now I need to start worrying because someone will be itching to see snapshots from a ChuckyCheese birthday party or find out I am a closet fan of Quiet Riot from seeing my iTunes library.
I didn't see any plans for software rental at the developer's conference, not even any music rental plans (which a lot of people LOVE and could make sense for them).
So, it's hard to respond to "the real story" if it's just one that's happening in your mind.

[CoIncidence333]

09:33 AM on 06/07/2011

Interestingly enough It is my belief that this could open up a world of hurt for Apple IF their security is not top-of-the-line.
LulzSec, I know, will be on the prowl here. If/When it launches I hope that Apple is prepared.

[JohnTheMac]

09:06 AM on 06/08/2011

They must know something about it, since they're running the largest music distribution business in the world. That's a lot of cc info to cover the 15 billion downloads they've done. (for almost 10 years now?)

[jfro37]

09:16 AM on 06/07/2011

Cloudy with a chance of bullsh*t

Itunes Match will scan your computer to find music acquired in other ways and charge you to store it. There's more than an insinuation on the part of Jobs that music not purchased in the itunes store is considered to be gained illegally. "The chances are awfully good that we've got the songs in our store that you've ripped."

Just because a song wasn't purchased in the itunes store doesn't mean it was acquired illegally. Garbage! It is well within my right to convert my purchased cd's to mp3's. I bought the Beatles remasters on CD because the quality cannot be compared to mp3. Now I have both and Apple doesn't get a cut. Let Paul recoop some more of that Hey Jude money that went to his awful ex wife.

And if you want to talk about the music industry; nobody crippled it more than greedy record execs that cared more about dollar signs than the product they were putting out. Remember when a cd for 15.99$ and only 2 songs are worth listening too. Illegal downloading only exposed an already inherent problem.

[seanathairTim]

09:06 AM on 06/07/2011

Apple finds another way to control you.

[stepintothelight]

09:48 AM on 06/07/2011

You don't have to use their products. Stop giving up your power!!!

[muadibe]

09:03 AM on 06/07/2011

You know, it's amazing how many people simply don't take the time to understand things.

I saw a news report on TV a few minutes ago with a reporter talking about how she'd been tweeting and receiving responses about the notion that you give Apple all your music to store. She seem so convinced she knew what she was talking about. This, even though not 2 minutes before, they showed Jobs demonstrating how the music will be stored not only on iCloud, but on your devices also - including the Mac on which the music originated.

I don't think it's that it's so difficult to understand, but these days everyone wants to be an expert on the latest topic without actually taking the time to learn about it.

Your music is NOT surrendered to Apple. Think of iCloud as a staging area, from which any of your devices can be populated.

[Mitchman57]

09:33 AM on 06/07/2011

"Think of iCloud as a staging area, from which any of your devices can be populated."

I though we weren't supposed to be experts on the....

....never mind.