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iCloud could be the name of Apple's new cloud storage system

Many tech giants have either launched, or are in the process of launching cloud-based storage services for music, media and documents. Fierce competition has moved to the digital world in regards to music especially, and none of the big players want to be left behind. 

Amazon released its Cloud Drive and Cloud Player in March, which offers 5 GB of online storage for free. It also saves MP3's from Amazon's store automatically to the cloud along with other uploaded files like music, photos, movies and documents. Amazon customers can also upgrade to 20 GB for one year through the purchase of an MP3 album from Amazon.com. But Amazon encountered legal issues with record labels when it failed to obtain new licensing rights. Amazon has since met with these labels to discuss legal matters.  

Google was expected to launch a cloud storage service as early as last Christmas, but held off due to its licensing-related search for a subscription service. Currently, Google is still in talks with Warner Music Group, EMI Group, Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. In addition, reports have noted that a change in upper management may be contributing to the delay. On April 1, Larry Page, co-founder of Google, became chief executive while Eric Schmidt was moved up to executive chairman.  

Now, Apple is stepping into the cloud storage ring with a completed online music storage locker that reportedly will be released before Google's cloud system, and reports are saying that Apple will call it iCloud. This tip comes from the rumor that Apple may be the recent buyer of the domain iCloud.com.

Apple's online music storage system will allow iTunes users to store music on a remote server and access it from several different devices.

ICloud.com was originally owned by Xcerion, which is a Sweden-based desktop-as-a-service company. Recently, Xcerion renamed its service CloudMe and bought the domain CloudMe.com on April 5. 

The anonymous source, who is close to Xcerion, said Apple bought the domain iCloud.com from Xcerion for $4.5 million. 

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Damnnn!
By msheredy on 4/28/2011 11:34:16 AM , Rating: 2
I wish my company had that kind of disposable, I mean investible money!




RE: Damnnn!
By SpaceJumper on 4/28/2011 11:40:05 AM , Rating: 4
Apple fanboys are paying for it.


RE: Damnnn!
By hiscross on 4/28/2011 6:18:30 PM , Rating: 2
The Fanboy has become popular on the web over the years. It is a way for the senseless and useless types to show how brave they are. I suppose if those internet smart butt could actually meet a real Fanboy in person things wouldn't work out to well for someone. I can remember when people used to say things to your face and then hope and pray that there was face left to say I'm really sorry. Even a brave drunk usually only mouths off once before they think about they are ready to say. So I will end with this, if it isn't your money that people use to buy something, then keep you comments and head up your butt where they belong. An Apple customers since 1988.


RE: Damnnn!
By chagrinnin on 4/29/2011 10:45:07 AM , Rating: 2
Hehyeaheh, some people are so brave over the internet.

</irony>

butt cheese


RE: Damnnn!
By MrBlastman on 4/28/2011 12:51:10 PM , Rating: 2
I think the company that sold it to Apple for only 4.5 million are a bunch of suckers. They should have held out for way more money.


RE: Damnnn!
By carniver on 4/28/2011 1:02:34 PM , Rating: 4
Better pocket 4.5 million than to pay 4.5 million instead. Apple's legal team can repeatedly sue them until they're bankrupt.


RE: Damnnn!
By therealnickdanger on 4/28/2011 3:02:18 PM , Rating: 4
Yeah, I would have just taken it. One in the hand is worth two in the bush, as they say.

... oh not like that, you perv!


Something interesting is coming
By Tony Swash on 4/28/2011 1:36:49 PM , Rating: 1
I am hoping and expecting that iOS5 will be a step change release. Apple bought a whole series of interesting mapping, streaming and AI companies (like Siri) a while ago and generally when Apple buys a company a year or two later you see the impact in a release. Plus there is that giant monster data centre - the first of many in the pipeline apparently. Something big is coming.

Apple will want to keep the momentum up even with the latest figures showing the iPhone 4 is the top selling phone in America and the iPhone 3GS is the second best selling smartphone in America (Android has lost ground but will probably make it up mostly by eating into RIM).




RE: Something interesting is coming
By Gio6518 on 4/28/2011 2:30:54 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
(Android has lost ground but will probably make it up mostly by eating into RIM).


now you just have to convince all the companies compling the numbers that their all wrong, because Jobs told YOU otherwise.


RE: Something interesting is coming
By Tony Swash on 4/28/2011 3:00:31 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
now you just have to convince all the companies compling the numbers that their all wrong, because Jobs told YOU otherwise.


You obviously feel strongly about this (hence the CAPITAL letters). Any data to underpin your strong feelings :)


RE: Something interesting is coming
By Gio6518 on 4/28/2011 3:51:43 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
You obviously feel strongly about this (hence the CAPITAL letters). Any data to underpin your strong feelings :)


Since I called B.S. burden of proof is on you, where you claim

quote:
(Android has lost ground but will probably make it up mostly by eating into RIM).
where Android is still gobling up the marketshare and has been number 1 in the U.S. for almost a year with apple gaining a mere .2 yes that's point growth. The only possible way you could even make such an insane claim is if you misread an article like

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2045571/a...

where they combine all iOS devices including iPad and iPod touch into the numbers..

But i do wonder if you actually believe the B.S. you type, or you just make stuff up to charge people up...


RE: Something interesting is coming
By Tony Swash on 4/28/11, Rating: 0
RE: Something interesting is coming
By themaster08 on 4/29/2011 4:17:28 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
Plus lets remember what was Apple's punishment for 'losing' the platform wars against Windows - doomed to being the largest and most profitable computer company in the world. What a terrible fate ;)
Now now, Tony, let's really remember.

Apple's punishment was the brink of bankruptcy, finding themselves stuck between a lawsuit which would in essence see the fate of the entire company.

Once Steve Jobs returned to the helm, and Apple were safe in the knowledge that Microsoft would purchase $150m of shares in the company, and continue to develop Office for Mac, the company knew it had to change tact in order to survive. It couldn't continue to solely fight Microsoft.

That change of tact paid off in droves, through not being a direct competitor to Microsoft in many markets. Sure, Microsoft have delved into those markets since, but have never really committed themselves to any of them until Windows Phone.

Let's not forget, that while Apple is in the limelight for its continued successes, Microsoft is working in the backgroung sucking up many other markets that Apple is unable to compete in. Does that mean Apple must be competing with Microsoft in those markets too? Of course it doesn't. Microsoft has, and can find other markets that Apple has no presence and still be hugely successful. Microsoft choose to be in some of the same markets as Apple. However, if they commit themselves to that market, you will see Microsoft's potential. Windows Phone is an example of that. Sure, it bears hardly any presence at the moment, however Microsoft have a truck load of money to throw at the platform, with many great ideas to come. Exciting times.

I'm sure you've watched the future of Microsoft videos placed all over YouTube. If not, here's a link for you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9JBSEBu2q8

As you can see, Microsoft has great vision for the future. In the home and in business. If they can successfully implement any of the ideas within the video, Microsoft have absolutely nothing to worry about with Apple. It shows their vision is beyond sitting at a desk with a keyboard and mouse. You seem to think that Microsoft will continue to rely on this strategy until they fade away. You couldn't be further form the truth. All I have to say is watch this space.

quote:
Personally this really pleased me enormously :)
I'm sure it did my friend, but let's be keeping thoughts like that to yourself from now on ;)


By themaster08 on 4/29/2011 4:34:36 AM , Rating: 2
Just to add to what I said. Here's another video dating back to 2004:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VuQeR-N8nE&NR=1

It shows the use of a tablet PC, using fingers for input. Similar to that of the iPad.

Here's yet another video of Microsoft's vision of healthcare:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V35Kv6-ZNGA&feature...

There are many of these videos out in the wild. They all show not only Microsoft's great vision, but also there are so many markets in which Microsoft can (and is possibly working to) successfully compete, where Apple has absolutely no presence.


RE: Something interesting is coming
By Tony Swash on 4/29/2011 6:21:02 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Apple's punishment was the brink of bankruptcy, finding themselves stuck between a lawsuit which would in essence see the fate of the entire company.

Once Steve Jobs returned to the helm, and Apple were safe in the knowledge that Microsoft would purchase $150m of shares in the company, and continue to develop Office for Mac, the company knew it had to change tact in order to survive. It couldn't continue to solely fight Microsoft.

That change of tact paid off in droves, through not being a direct competitor to Microsoft in many markets. Sure, Microsoft have delved into those markets since, but have never really committed themselves to any of them until Windows Phone.


I agree with you that Apple sidestepped around the Microsoft monopoly and simply innovated into new markets to the point where they and a bigger and more profitable business than Microsoft. Apple can continue to do that and Microsoft can, and probably will, continue to be a very big technology company.

The fact that Apple is now bigger and more profitable than Microsoft is of course hugely pleasing for long term Apple fans such as myself. It feels as if the world is back as it should be :) Not particularly rational but it is how we feel.

I don't agree that the low market share held by Apple in the 1990s in the desktop PC market is what pushed it to the edge of bankruptcy, otherwise how could it have returned to strong profitability in that market with a continuing small market share post 2000? What pushed Apple to the edge of bankruptcy was piss poor management. Apple never had very good management right from the beginning but in its early days its products were so innovative and ground breaking that it could be hugely successful for a long while until it came up against real competition. Steve Jobs back then was not the man he is now and he had to go through a string of failures to learn a lot of very hard lessons which he applied when he came back to Apple. The result is that Apple, with or without Jobs, is probably the best managed technology company on the planet. It's like a super refined polished machine for innovating new products, disrupting markets and making giant piles of profits.

Unlike Apple which is firing on all cylinders Microsoft seems a bit tired and jaded. It is still almost wholly dependent on ancient product lines such as Windows and Office (which make a lot of money but are products based on old markets and paradigms) and which has, other than in server related products for the enterprise, failed to make significant profits in any new field after two decades of trying. The poor state of Microsoft's management now reminds me a lot of Apple back in the early 1990s, I think Microsoft needs a near-death experience like Apple had to to reshape itself.

What Microsoft does now is almost wholly irrelevant to Apple. Which is good.

What Microsoft does now is almost wholly irrelevant in relation to shaping much of the technology that I and millions of other consumers use everyday. Which is even better.

When Microsoft shaped all our technology experiences those experiences were shoddy and second rate. I am glad that epoch has passed.


RE: Something interesting is coming
By themaster08 on 4/29/2011 7:32:00 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Unlike Apple which is firing on all cylinders Microsoft seems a bit tired and jaded. It is still almost wholly dependent on ancient product lines such as Windows and Office (which make a lot of money but are products based on old markets and paradigms) and which has, other than in server related products for the enterprise, failed to make significant profits in any new field after two decades of trying.


quote:
Let's not forget, that while Apple is in the limelight for its continued successes, Microsoft is working in the background sucking up many other markets that Apple is unable to compete in.

quote:
You seem to think that Microsoft will continue to rely on this strategy until they fade away. You couldn't be further form the truth. All I have to say is watch this space.


From the videos I've already posted a link to, Microsoft have proved that they are a much more forward thinking company than you seem to give them credit for. Microsoft may "appear" to be tired and jaded, but because their ideas are not constantly in the limelight, and incremented once a year like another fruit labelled, media driven company, they have many more ideas up their sleeves.

What we are seeing now - Microsoft knew would happen. Even back in 2004. They are not sitting on their Windows and Office markets. A lot is happening at Redmond. Because you're not seeing these ideas being put into fruition today, tomorrow is a completely different story.

While we see Apple firing on all cylinders, Microsoft have entered, but not committed themselves to these markets, at least not until lately. History has proven, you don't need to be first to be the most successful.

The Windows Phone Marketplace is growing faster than iOS and the Android market did. The Mango update coming later this year will put Windows Phone on par in terms of functionality with iOS and Android. The deal with Nokia is huge. Nokia still dominate many markets across the world. Many of Nokia's technologies are second-to-none. Microsoft have only touched the iceberg of what they are capable of with Windows Phone. These are very interesting times.

The main challenge for Microsoft, is that of individually defining their consumer line and business line, while at the same time allowing them to integrate. Business solutions are where Microsoft's bread and butter really is. Apple have proved that their business solutions don't have the power, productivity, affordability and scalability that Microsoft's solutions have. Sure, a few iPhones and iPads have found their way into businesses, but Apple have really shown their commitment to business by discontinuing their rack mounted XServe lineup in January.

These are very contrasting companies. We have Microsoft - an extremely business oriented company, working from the top-down towards consumers.
Then we have Apple - an extremely consumer oriented company - working to maintain that consumer level, will little intention of re-invigorating their lineup for any major business use.

Now when we look at from that perspective, it is now Apple with all of their eggs in the consumer basket, while Microsoft are the ones that are immensely successful in the business sector, just touching the iceberg of the consumer market.


RE: Something interesting is coming
By Tony Swash on 4/29/2011 9:31:39 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Now when we look at from that perspective, it is now Apple with all of their eggs in the consumer basket, while Microsoft are the ones that are immensely successful in the business sector, just touching the iceberg of the consumer market.


I wasn't going to bother to reply but that last paragraph is so laughable I felt compelled to.

Let's just recap shall we. Apple have entered three entirely new markets in the last ten years, mp3 players, phones and tablets, in which previously they had zero products and zero sales. In each of these three new market there were strong existing incumbents with years of track record. In each of these three new markets Apple have triumphed, completely disrupted the existing competitors and made monumental profits.

Apple's iPod destroyed all other mp3 players in the market and was never threatened by competitors (including the anaemic Zune) and Apple became the largest music retailer and now owns the world's largest digital goods market place.

Apple's iPhone is now a business bigger on it's own than Google's entire business, and is a business which has doubled in sales in the last year.

Apple's iPad business, although only a year old, is big enough that if it were a stand alone company it would be in the Fortune 500.

In the same time period Microsoft did what? What new markets did Microsoft triumph in? In what new markets or with what new products have Microsoft triumphed, where have they disrupted existing competitors and made meaningful profits?

Microsoft built at huge expense a large game console business (only to see iOS games outsell all console games combined) which has never made a return on it's capital. If Microsoft had put the billions it spent on xbox into deposit account it would have made more in interest than it did in sales. The Xbox business on it's own would be bankrupt. Even worse Bing now makes losses bigger than it's revenues. Microsoft's attempts at entering new markets with new products have been pathetic.


By morphologia on 4/30/2011 6:29:25 PM , Rating: 2
All this and you refer to Microsoft as a monopoly?

Apple got where it is by the fanboy worship of fad whores.


iME
By luv2liv on 4/28/2011 12:00:54 PM , Rating: 4
lets buy all the i* domains now!!!! n hope apple will buy 10 years from now




RE: iME
By amanojaku on 4/28/2011 12:04:04 PM , Rating: 2
I'm surprised Apple didn't iSue over this.


RE: iME
By mindless1 on 4/28/2011 2:27:21 PM , Rating: 2
Me too, I would have assumed they would just demand the domain name is imminently theirs because of the "i" in front of it.


RE: iME
By IcePickFreak on 4/28/2011 4:03:15 PM , Rating: 2
I also like how the company that sold them 'iCloud' had the creativity to come up with 'CloudMe :rolleyes:


RE: iME
By RicheemxX on 4/28/2011 5:42:58 PM , Rating: 2
Nah they'll just file to trademark the word cloud now and sue everyone else that is using 'their term'


RE: iME
By AnnihilatorX on 4/28/2011 2:45:26 PM , Rating: 2
iWorshipSteveJobs.com?


HUMANCENTIPAD.COM
By Lanister on 4/28/2011 12:49:05 PM , Rating: 3
Damn, someone already got it.




RE: HUMANCENTIPAD.COM
By Azethoth on 5/3/2011 4:43:52 PM , Rating: 2
HUMANCENTiPAD


Picture
By Yames on 4/29/2011 11:55:02 AM , Rating: 2
Love the pic, but you forgot the unicorn.




RE: Picture
By JasonMick (blog) on 4/30/2011 5:18:28 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Love the pic, but you forgot the unicorn.

Duh! I knew something was missing... ;) Done!


4.5M, really?
By vapore0n on 4/28/2011 1:00:37 PM , Rating: 2
iAm going to iBuy every type of iDomain possible. One day I might iCash-in on 4.5 iMil too.




Ugh...
By callmeroy on 4/28/2011 1:38:08 PM , Rating: 2
Why can't i ever have the foresight to get a domain name that someone fancy smancy rich company wants! lol

What a way to get your retirement all set decades in advance....you buy a domain for $20 or whatever and then a few years later you sell it for $4.5 million.....

Who needs the lotto or Vegas?

:)




Well....
By Cheesew1z69 on 4/28/2011 1:24:59 PM , Rating: 1
iDontgiveafuck




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