Five unanswered questions about iCloud, iTunes Match
Summary: Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced iCloud at the WWDC 2011 keynote on Monday. While we certainly learned that it is much more than the now-defunct MobileMe, there are still some unanswered questions.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced iCloud at the WWDC 2011 keynote on Monday. While we certainly learned that it is much more than the now-defunct MobileMe, there are still some unanswered questions.
Most of the remaining holes have to do with iTunes in the Cloud and the iTunes Match service, which involve syncing existing music libraries with the cloud to be pushed to multiple devices. iTunes Match is also the only service that comes with a price tag at $24.99 per year.
But before paying that price, Apple has to answer a few questions first:
- What about existing MP3s that were not bought illegally but rather ripped from old CDs? Just because we might have using stored on our hard drives not bought from iTunes doesn't mean the songs were downloaded illegally. I'm willing to bet that most people with MP3 players have just ripped songs from old CDs (using iTunes even) and just uploaded the tracks to their computers. However, it looks like the music industry wants us to pay twice, perhaps to make up for its own shortcomings.
- What about 3G/4G data limits? Uploading to the cloud could get expensive quickly if someone is constantly uploading new versions of documents, music files and apps all the time. Apple's likely response will be that this is no different from downloading and uploading files, so the carriers could see an uptick in both larger data plan subscriptions and overage charges. (Note that users can not sync images via Photo Stream over 3G - only via Wi-Fi.)
- What kind of security measures will be in place? This was rather glossed over (and almost ignored) during the keynote speech. Obviously, there's going to be some layers of security, but we should be briefed in detail before the service becomes live.
- Is it possible to get more than 5GB of storage space? This question isn't as pressing, and it might be answered much later if iCloud becomes a success (or not). Sure, e-book and music purchases don't count towards the total, nor do photos snapped with iOS devices. But what about movies and music not purchased via iTunes? Or other large collaborative files such as graphic-heavy presentations? That 5GB could go fast. Then again, it's free so it's hard to complain.
- Will MobileMe users who already paid $99 (especially recently) get refunds? Apple has been known to offer refunds and price adjustments in the past, most notably after the price drop of the first iPhone in 2007, which settled an uproar amongst those who shelled out $599 rather than $399. Thus, Apple might find itself in such a pinch once iCloud launches this fall.
What unresolved questions do you have regarding iCloud and iTunes Match?
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See related coverage:
- Video: Apple CEO Steve Jobs announces iCloud
- Ultimate flattery: Apple's updates are out of Google's playbook
- What is Apple's huge data warehouse for?
- Apple copies a bunch of features from Android, calls it iOS5
- Apple fires shots at all mobile competitors today, and Microsoft too
- iTunes Match: Legitimising your illegal music collection?
- WWDC 2011: Apple iCloud will be free, iTunes Match replaces pirated songs
- Gallery: Apple's WWDC 2011
- CNET: Apple's WWDC: iCloud, iOS 5, Lion, and more
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Talkback
RE: Five unanswered questions about iCloud, iTunes Match
5 gb is certainly not enough. To placate it's MobileMe users, Apple should have offered its standard 20 gb. They need not worry since the space isn't really filled up -- if they conduct a proper study, they'll see that on average people will use up only half of their allotted space. They should have learned from Google; it continually ups its gmail space but no one ever goes high enough for the simple reason it's impossible, and people fear getting crowded besides.
RE: Five unanswered questions about iCloud, iTunes Match
True, most uses don't use that much space. Still though, there are users that will try and use every byte.
RE: Five unanswered questions about iCloud, iTunes Match
I am a vinyl enthusiast so have dozens of old LPs ripped..
so I feel like I'd already paid for my music fruition across platforms...
essentially, Can I use just icloud for sync works, mail and contact without touching my existing music library?
Yes. That aspect is 100% free nt
There's only one unanswered question: why?
I already have my photos, why should I give them to you ... and then pay you monthly for the right to access my own stuff?
I already have my music, why should I give it to you ... and then pay you monthly for the right to access my own stuff?
I already have my created data files, why should I give them to you... and then pay you monthly for the right to access my own stuff?
Yes I see how the cloud benefits *you*, but I fail to see how it benefits me. Why should I trust you with my data, and more importantly, why should I have to *pay you* to use what I already own?
Regards,
Jon
RE: Five unanswered questions about iCloud, iTunes Match
Just to re-iterate... the photo sync/backup, document sync, email, calendars & contacts sync, App & Book purchase history and daily backups of iOS devices is ALL FREE to every Apple owner!
This is a phenomenal offering from Apple (and that's coming from an existing MobileMe member).
Ben.
RE: Five unanswered questions about iCloud, iTunes Match
Perhaps for now, but how long will it remain free?
Yup. It's free right now, but no doubt Apple retains the right to change that in the future. Once *they* have all your family pictures, all your music, and all your documents and spreadsheets how are you going to say 'no'?
Just a concern from someone who has seen that happen before, and doesn't believe that *any* company is above pulling it again.
:-)
Regards,
Jon
RE: Five unanswered questions about iCloud, iTunes Match
Because it is free?
Why receive a refund for MobileMe?
RE: Five unanswered questions about iCloud, iTunes Match
Sigh.
Question 2: Jobs stated it only works over wi-fi. Because it doesn't STREAM to your device, it lets you SYNC to your device.
Question 3: You'll sign in with your itunes account. Same security as the iTunes store.
Question 4: iCloud is about SYNCING your devices. Storage is intended to be temporary. Sheesh. Didn't you even listen to the keynote?
Question 5: That's a good question.
So, out of five questions, four of them could have been answered if you actually, you know, did some investigative journalism. You know, the hard kind, like actually freaking listening to the keynote.
My thoughts exactly
It's clear she didn't even take the time to watch the keynote.
However, on Question 1, I did notice on the Keynote, at ~113:48, Jobs says you can scan and match your entire library (no upload) in minutes for tunes that match their library. Then, "for the few songs that remain, well, we'll upload them." I assume this means that iTunesMatch will in fact make your entire library available to all your devices without normal usb or wi-fi syncing with your main Mac or PC. At just $25 a year, it's great deal!
But overall, you're right, most of news and reviews about what was announced in the Keynote is a jumble of mis-quotes, half-facts and just common old-time cloud myths and FUD. I'm hoping that Apple themselves come out with some service documentation on what iCloud is and is not in the near future.
RE: Five unanswered questions about iCloud, iTunes Match
Regarding "I'm hoping that Apple themselves come out with some service documentation on what iCloud is and is not in the near future." ME TOO - big concerns.
See 2x.com - Make your own cloud - very reasonable - I recommend it!
RE: Five unanswered questions about iCloud, iTunes Match
RE: Five unanswered questions about iCloud, iTunes Match
We'd like to share some exciting news with you about iCloud ? Apple?s upcoming cloud service, which stores your content and wirelessly pushes it to your devices. iCloud integrates seamlessly with your apps, so everything happens automatically. Available this fall, iCloud is free for iOS 5 and OS X Lion users.
What does this mean for you as a MobileMe member?
When you sign up for iCloud, you'll be able to keep your MobileMe email address and move your mail, contacts, calendars, and bookmarks to the new service.
Your MobileMe subscription will be automatically extended through June 30, 2012, at no additional charge. After that date, MobileMe will no longer be available.
When iCloud becomes available this fall, we will provide more details and instructions on how to make the move. In the meantime, we encourage you to learn more about iCloud.
Sincerely,
The MobileMe Team
RE: Five unanswered questions about iCloud, iTunes Match
Apple says iCloud is free for (only?) iOS 5 and OS X Lion users. What about the Rest of Us? Will it be free? Will it even work? Will I still have WebDAV access?
Maybe just a little pricey, but it has had a good longevity as a vendor of file space for my backups.
You should be ok
As long as you own one or more Apple devices and have an Apple account. iCloud will sync to your exchange calendars and photo folders etc. But you'll have to get more details when it's ready to launch in the Fall.
Your illegal tunes probably aren't going to get uploaded