Another big Apple product on tap?
- Thread starter woofy
- Start date
Apple introduces iCloud
iCloud, the much-rumoured cloud streaming service, was introduced by Apple today at the Worldwide Developer Conference. Steve Jobs took to the stage earlier today at Moscone West to show off the new service, described by Jobs' famous tagline as "It just works."
The idea, Jobs explained, was that the PC as the media hub is an outdated model. "Keeping devices in sync is driving us crazy," Jobs said. With iCloud, Apple plans to move the focus towards "the cloud". iPhones, iPads and the like can all sync with the cloud. Content is uploaded, downloaded and pushed to all of your devices automatically.
MobileMe, described by Jobs as "not our finest hour", has had its apps reworked into iCloud apps. As an example, a contact made on one device is taken up by the cloud and pushed to all other devices. Similarly, if a change is made, that change is reflected everywhere. Calendars work in the same sort of way, but the option is there to share calendar events with other users.
Mail has also been brought into the cloud. Users with an @me.com account will be able to access all of their messages and folders everywhere. The service will be free, unlike MobileMe's asking price of $99 per year.
The App Store has also made the jump to iCloud, where purchase history can be viewed from any device. A special "cloud button" brings down pre-purchased apps onto the current device, avoiding any confusion about what has already been bought when. In keeping with Apple's "post-PC" theme, iOS devices can also be backed up to the cloud, negating the use for a computer with iTunes. On a new device, users can tap in their ID and password and have all their old content beamed onto their shiny new purchase.
While iOS data backup solves the majority of mobile data woes, Apple has taken things one step further and brought their iWork office suite onto iCloud as well. A document tweaked in Pages will automatically have its changes beamed across to all devices, so customers can carry on their work on an iPad. This functionality will be extended out to developers in the form of iCloud APIs.
Other apps receiving special iCloud treatment include Photos. As photos can be storage-consuming, only the last 1,000 will be stored. Photos will be kept in the cloud for a maximum of 30 days. To permanently keep a photo, either beam it down to a computer, or place it into an album. For the most part, iCloud will be device agnostic. iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad seem a logical fit, but Macs and PCs will also be supported, as well as the Apple TV (which itself runs a variation of iOS).
Finally, as many had expected, iTunes will be included in iCloud. A song purchased on one device can be downloaded to any other 10 devices, either by individual song or by complete album. "This is the first time we've seen this in the music industry - no charge for multiple downloads to different devices," Jobs said.
iCloud will be available for free starting today. Mail, documents and backups are limited to 5GB of storage, but any other content is unlimited.
iCloud, the much-rumoured cloud streaming service, was introduced by Apple today at the Worldwide Developer Conference. Steve Jobs took to the stage earlier today at Moscone West to show off the new service, described by Jobs' famous tagline as "It just works."
The idea, Jobs explained, was that the PC as the media hub is an outdated model. "Keeping devices in sync is driving us crazy," Jobs said. With iCloud, Apple plans to move the focus towards "the cloud". iPhones, iPads and the like can all sync with the cloud. Content is uploaded, downloaded and pushed to all of your devices automatically.
MobileMe, described by Jobs as "not our finest hour", has had its apps reworked into iCloud apps. As an example, a contact made on one device is taken up by the cloud and pushed to all other devices. Similarly, if a change is made, that change is reflected everywhere. Calendars work in the same sort of way, but the option is there to share calendar events with other users.
Mail has also been brought into the cloud. Users with an @me.com account will be able to access all of their messages and folders everywhere. The service will be free, unlike MobileMe's asking price of $99 per year.
The App Store has also made the jump to iCloud, where purchase history can be viewed from any device. A special "cloud button" brings down pre-purchased apps onto the current device, avoiding any confusion about what has already been bought when. In keeping with Apple's "post-PC" theme, iOS devices can also be backed up to the cloud, negating the use for a computer with iTunes. On a new device, users can tap in their ID and password and have all their old content beamed onto their shiny new purchase.
While iOS data backup solves the majority of mobile data woes, Apple has taken things one step further and brought their iWork office suite onto iCloud as well. A document tweaked in Pages will automatically have its changes beamed across to all devices, so customers can carry on their work on an iPad. This functionality will be extended out to developers in the form of iCloud APIs.
Other apps receiving special iCloud treatment include Photos. As photos can be storage-consuming, only the last 1,000 will be stored. Photos will be kept in the cloud for a maximum of 30 days. To permanently keep a photo, either beam it down to a computer, or place it into an album. For the most part, iCloud will be device agnostic. iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad seem a logical fit, but Macs and PCs will also be supported, as well as the Apple TV (which itself runs a variation of iOS).
Finally, as many had expected, iTunes will be included in iCloud. A song purchased on one device can be downloaded to any other 10 devices, either by individual song or by complete album. "This is the first time we've seen this in the music industry - no charge for multiple downloads to different devices," Jobs said.
iCloud will be available for free starting today. Mail, documents and backups are limited to 5GB of storage, but any other content is unlimited.
Apple announces iOS 5.0
Today at the annual WWDC event, Steve Jobs took the stage to announce the new flagship of software suites for Mac and iDevices. Apple recently announced the upcoming iOS 5.0 firmware, but today it finally unveiled what the company has been working on for over a year now.
The company announced that to date, they have had more than 14 billion downloads, with over 90,000 iPad apps. They have paid developers more than $2.5 billion dollars so far.
Apple started off the new feature list with notifications. Apple has removed the old notification popup system for a more inline notification system, making it less annoying when you're watching a video or playing a game. The 'notification center' will act similar to Android, where your menu swipes down, revealing alerts for all of your phone, messages, emails and more. The notification center is even on your lock screen too.
The lock screen has received a major update, allowing for notifications from apps, messages, and even listening to voice mail without having to slide to unlock the phone.
iOS 5.0 also comes with 'Newsstand', a new subscription-based application that has a ton of newspaper and magazine companies on board, including New York Times, SF Chronicle, Daily Telegraph, and more.
Apple introduced a new Twitter integration for iOS 5.0, making it easier for users to post photos, maps, articles from Safari and attachments with a new 'Tweet' option.
Safari also received a number of updates, including the new reader button for your documents. Safari in iOS 5.0 now comes with a "reading list" feature, so you can come back and read a bookmarked page later, without saving it to your bookmarks.
Next up, mobile Safari now comes with tabs! No more annoying stacked option menu, but now it's located under your toolbar bookmark menu.
The camera app finally received a much deserved update, to include some of the new updates from Apple. First up, is a camera button shortcut on your lockscreen, making it easier to quickly take a picture of events that just can't wait. If the moment can't wait that long, you can use your volume up button to take pictures now, bypassing your lockscreen - but don't worry, your existing photos will be secure. Apple also included a photo touch-up app.
Apple is once again updating their mail app, adding new search, flag and spam and security options. There is even a built-in dictionary option, prompting the user with a popup when they click the "define" option.
If you've ever typed on the iPad, you may notice that reaching the keys in the middle can sometimes be difficult. Apple has now changed up the layout of the keyboard. There will now be two floating keyboards on either side, allowing you to just type with your thumbs while holding it firmly in your hands.
The Game Center also is now more social network friendly, to make sharing and playing games with friends easier.
Last up, Apple introduced iMessage. The new instant messaging service allows any iDevice (iPhone, iPod touch and iPad) to communicate with each other. The new application is very similar to the SMS application, but is completely free. Similar to BBM (BlackBerry Messenger), the application allows you and your friends to instant message one another, from anywhere in the world, without the added roaming charges. iMessage requires WiFi or 3G to send and receive.
iOS 5.0 beta will be made available later today for the following iDevices:
iOS 5.0 will ship this fall to consumers.
iOS 5.0 now does wireless syncing with iTunes. You'll be able to finally ditch the cable (other than charging) and sync and receive updates directly on your device, without having to connect to your PC or Mac.
Today at the annual WWDC event, Steve Jobs took the stage to announce the new flagship of software suites for Mac and iDevices. Apple recently announced the upcoming iOS 5.0 firmware, but today it finally unveiled what the company has been working on for over a year now.
The company announced that to date, they have had more than 14 billion downloads, with over 90,000 iPad apps. They have paid developers more than $2.5 billion dollars so far.
Apple started off the new feature list with notifications. Apple has removed the old notification popup system for a more inline notification system, making it less annoying when you're watching a video or playing a game. The 'notification center' will act similar to Android, where your menu swipes down, revealing alerts for all of your phone, messages, emails and more. The notification center is even on your lock screen too.
The lock screen has received a major update, allowing for notifications from apps, messages, and even listening to voice mail without having to slide to unlock the phone.
iOS 5.0 also comes with 'Newsstand', a new subscription-based application that has a ton of newspaper and magazine companies on board, including New York Times, SF Chronicle, Daily Telegraph, and more.
Apple introduced a new Twitter integration for iOS 5.0, making it easier for users to post photos, maps, articles from Safari and attachments with a new 'Tweet' option.
Safari also received a number of updates, including the new reader button for your documents. Safari in iOS 5.0 now comes with a "reading list" feature, so you can come back and read a bookmarked page later, without saving it to your bookmarks.
Next up, mobile Safari now comes with tabs! No more annoying stacked option menu, but now it's located under your toolbar bookmark menu.
The camera app finally received a much deserved update, to include some of the new updates from Apple. First up, is a camera button shortcut on your lockscreen, making it easier to quickly take a picture of events that just can't wait. If the moment can't wait that long, you can use your volume up button to take pictures now, bypassing your lockscreen - but don't worry, your existing photos will be secure. Apple also included a photo touch-up app.
Apple is once again updating their mail app, adding new search, flag and spam and security options. There is even a built-in dictionary option, prompting the user with a popup when they click the "define" option.
If you've ever typed on the iPad, you may notice that reaching the keys in the middle can sometimes be difficult. Apple has now changed up the layout of the keyboard. There will now be two floating keyboards on either side, allowing you to just type with your thumbs while holding it firmly in your hands.
The Game Center also is now more social network friendly, to make sharing and playing games with friends easier.
Last up, Apple introduced iMessage. The new instant messaging service allows any iDevice (iPhone, iPod touch and iPad) to communicate with each other. The new application is very similar to the SMS application, but is completely free. Similar to BBM (BlackBerry Messenger), the application allows you and your friends to instant message one another, from anywhere in the world, without the added roaming charges. iMessage requires WiFi or 3G to send and receive.
iOS 5.0 beta will be made available later today for the following iDevices:
- iPhone 4 (GSM and CDMA)
- iPhone 3GS
- iPod touch (4th generation)
- iPod touch (3rd generation)
- iPad 2 (GSM, CDMA and WiFi)
- iPad (GSM and WiFi)
- Apple TV 2G
iOS 5.0 will ship this fall to consumers.
iOS 5.0 now does wireless syncing with iTunes. You'll be able to finally ditch the cable (other than charging) and sync and receive updates directly on your device, without having to connect to your PC or Mac.