Apple has launched iCloud, its new cloud-based platform designed to provide a selection of instantly pushed services across all manner of Apple products.
The move once again puts Apple in competition with Amazon and Google, who have each launched their own cloud-based media storage tools, with the Amazon Cloud Player and Google Music Beta.
“Today it is a real hassle and very frustrating to keep all your information and content up-to-date across all your devices,” explained CEO Steve Jobs during an official Apple presentation.
“iCloud keeps your important information and content up to date across all your devices,” he added. “All of this happens automatically and wirelessly, and because it’s integrated into our apps you don’t even need to think about it—it all just works.”
Available for free, access to the iCloud allows users to easily buy App Store and iBookstore items before downloading them at no additional cost to all of their compatible Apple devices—not just the purchase platform.
Also, former MobileMe services such as Contacts, Calendar and Mail (5GB ceiling) have been “re-architected and rewritten to work seamlessly” with iCloud, enabling users to share calendars with friends and family, while Mail is ad-free and hosted by me.com.
In terms of data security, iCloud uses Wi-Fi to “automatically and securely” backup purchased music, apps, books, photos, images and device settings from any and all Apple devices while they are connected for charging.
It’s also worth noting that Apple is offering iCloud users access to its subscription-based iTunes Match, which replaces songs not purchased through iTunes with an AAC DRM-free version (256kbps) if it can be plucked from the 18 million tracks currently available through Apple’s store—in return for $24.99 USD per year.
Available now in beta, the final version of iCloud will arrive during the autumn alongside iOS 5 and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Mac systems running Mac OS X Lion.