iCloud

Breaking
August 12, 2011
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Apple seeds new OS X Lion 10.7.2 build, iCloud beta 7 to developers

By on August 12, 2011 at 4:53 PM.

Apple seeds new OS X Lion 10.7.2 build, iCloud beta 7 to developers

Apple started seeding OS X Lion 10.7.2 11C37 and iCloud beta 7 to developers on Friday afternoon. The latest iCloud beta 7 build includes updated versions of Documents & Data Cloud, Find my Mac and Back to my Mac, 9to5 Mac said. The latest OS X Lion 10.7.2 build is being offered “solely for testing iCloud and updates to the public release of OS X Lion and any earlier seed of OS X Lion 10.7.2,” Apple said. iCloud, which is still only open to those with developer accounts, allows users store up to 5GB of free data online. Apple opened iCloud up to developers on August 1st and it offers a tiered pricing system for additional storage.  The latest OS X Lion and Cloud Beta 7 builds can be downloaded from Apple’s iCloud developer portal now. More →

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General
August 8, 2011
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Rumored 'iTunes Replay' service won't launch soon according to report

By on August 8, 2011 at 10:00 PM.

Rumored 'iTunes Replay' service won't launch soon according to report

Apple’s upcoming “iTunes Replay” service is indeed in the works, but the company has yet to sign “cloud agreements” with at least four of the top-six film studios in Hollywood that are necessary in order to launch the service, CNET News reports. As such, the site calls earlier reports that suggested an imminent launch premature. Apple is reportedly working on a service that will allow iTunes users to stream and re-download movies purchased through iTunes. Such a service would require Apple to sign new licensing agreements with motion picture studios in order to secure the appropriate rights that would allow Apple to serve content from the cloud and to multiple devices. According to CNET News, negotiations for these rights could “drag on for months.” The report also mentions a possible hurdle for Apple: HBO. HBO has agreements in place that grant it exclusive digital distribution rights to new movies from three of the six major film studios — 20th Century Fox, Universal and Warner Bros. — for a certain period of time. HBO’s deals have caused problems for streaming services in the past, and it looks like Apple could be the latest victim. More →

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Services
August 8, 2011
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Apple to offer 25GB of free iCloud storage to current MobileMe subscribers

By on August 8, 2011 at 6:57 PM.

Apple to offer 25GB of free iCloud storage to current MobileMe subscribers

If you’re currently an active MobileMe subscriber, Apple may soon offer you an incentive to move all of your data over to its new iCloud service. From the day the service goes public until June 30th of next year users who move their data to iCloud will receive 25GB of free iCloud storage for as long as their iCloud account is active, 9to5 Mac reported on Monday. Every iCloud user will receive 5GB free from the get-go and and an additional 10GB will cost $20 per year. An extra 20GB will cost $40 per year and 50GB of added storage will set you back $100 annually. ICloud is still available only to developers but we have no doubt it will be fully live by the time Apple finalizes iOS 5 and launches its next iPhone, which is expected to occur in September or October. More →

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General
August 3, 2011
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Apple rumored to be prepping imminent 'iTunes Replay' launch

By on August 3, 2011 at 9:01 AM.

Apple rumored to be prepping imminent 'iTunes Replay' launch

Apple is preparing to launch a new service that will allow iTunes users to re-download previously purchased music, movies and TV shows for free, AppAdvice reports. The service may also support some streaming functionality according to the report, though such functionality may be limited. In the past, iTunes users who lose content from their libraries were forced to either purchase the content again or essentially beg and plead with Apple customer service until they agreed to assist with free content restoration. This ridiculous practice is now in the process of coming to an end. AppAdvice claims to have confirmed the imminent launch of the iTunes Reply service with multiple sources, and such an offering has rumored to have been in the works from Apple for quite some time. According to the report, we can expect iTunes Replay to “go public in the coming weeks.” More →

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mobile
August 1, 2011
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Apple iCloud.com beta launches for developers, pricing revealed

By on August 1, 2011 at 6:59 PM.

Apple iCloud.com beta launches for developers, pricing revealed

Apple’s official iCloud.com website is now live for developers as part of a new beta phase of the service. The website is complete with web applications for Calendar, Contacts, Mail, iCloud for Pages, iWork and Find My iPhone. It also currently has a look and feel very reminiscent of iOS, which we like. We already know that Apple will offer iOS users 5GB of free iCloud storage, but the Cupertino-based company also revealed the official pricing for those who want a bit more storage. Users can sign up for an additional 10GB of storage (15GB total) for $20 per year, 20GB of additional storage for $40 per year, or 50GB of added storage for $100 per year.

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Software
July 29, 2011
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iTunes 11 to feature redesigned layout, iCloud integration according to report

By on July 29, 2011 at 5:11 PM.

iTunes 11 to feature redesigned layout, iCloud integration according to report

Following our exclusive report from Thursday suggesting Apple plans to release iTunes 11 in September alongside the iOS 5 and iCloud, a new report claims iTunes 11 will feature a redesigned layout and deep iCloud integration. IDownloadBlog on Friday cites a reliable source in stating that the next major release of iTunes will be “revamped from the ground up.” The report claims Apple’s new version of iTunes will feature a brand new user interface as well as iCloud integration. Mobile device app data and backups will also reportedly be integrated with iTunes 11, effectively mirroring iOS device backups and app data/settings that are automatically synced to iCloud. Apple has made major investments in its iCloud service, including the billion-dollar data center it built in North Carolina, so it would certainly be a logical move to showcase the service right out of the gate when it launches this fall. More →

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Exclusive
July 23, 2011
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OS X Lion 10.7.2 around the corner?

By on July 23, 2011 at 10:42 PM.

OS X Lion 10.7.2 around the corner?

We’ve just received a tip that OS X Lion 10.7.2, a combo update, is available for Mac developers in Apple’s developer site. While the OS isn’t available on the regular Mac portal, it’s available as a direct link within the iCloud for Lion beta section. No word on what updates or changes will be in OS X Lion 10.7.2.

Thanks, C!

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mobile
July 18, 2011
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48% of smartphone buyers want iPhone next, survey says

By on July 18, 2011 at 4:20 PM.

48% of smartphone buyers want iPhone next, survey says

According to results from a new ChangeWave survey released on Monday, 48% of those looking to buy a new smartphone during the next 90 days plan on buying an iPhone. In addition, 46% of those buying a smartphone in the next 90 days said that they would prefer an iOS-powered device, 32% want a smartphone running Android, and just 4% want a BlackBerry OS device. Apple’s iOS users are the most satisfied with their operating system, too. 70% of those surveyed said that they were “very satisfied” with iOS. 50% said they were very satisfied with Android, 27% were happy with Microsoft’s Windows OS (which we assume means both Windows Mobile and Windows Phone), and 26% were pleased with RIM’s BlackBerry OS. The launch of the iPhone 4 on Verizon Wireless is also hurting Motorola. “After benefiting tremendously in the years Verizon subscribers were barred from the iPhone market, Motorola is now seeing a loss of market share at least partially attributable to the Verizon iPhone release that occurred earlier this year,” the study said. Finally, ChangeWave found that Apple’s free iCloud service is attracting customers away from other operating systems. 29% of the survey respondents who are currently Apple product owners said they are more likely to buy Apple products since the company announced its iCloud service, while 13% of non-Apple product owners said they are also now more likely to buy an Apple product. ChangeWave polled 4,163 consumers, 89% of which were U.S. residents. Read on for the full press release. More →

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Services
July 6, 2011
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Spotify announces imminent U.S. launch

By on July 6, 2011 at 2:31 PM.

Spotify announces imminent U.S. launch

Custom music steaming company Spotify on Wednesday announced that it will soon launch its popular service in the U.S. The company has been rumored to be in negotiations with major U.S. music labels for more than a year now, and it looks like those negotiations finally panned out. ”The award-winning music service that’s taken Europe by storm will soon be landing on US shores,” the company said in a statement on its website. “Millions of tracks ready to play instantly, on your computer and your phone.” In markets where the service is currently available, Spotify allows users to stream music on demand for free to PCs. For a monthly fee, the service adds additional features and supports more devices, such as the iPhone, iPad and Android devices. Pricing and other details for the U.S. market have not yet been announced. More →

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mobile
June 25, 2011
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iCloud services, including ‘iCloud Mail,’ will be accessible on the Web

By on June 25, 2011 at 4:01 AM.

iCloud services, including ‘iCloud Mail,’ will be accessible on the Web

According to Apple’s new MobileMe transition FAQ page, users will be able to access their iCloud services from the web. Specifically, the site says:

Will I be able to access iCloud services on the web?

Yes. Web access to iCloud Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and Find My iPhone will be available at icloud.com this fall.

The FAQ also details some other issues that MobileMe users may be concerned about as their accounts are moved to iCloud. Apple says that photos, apps, music, and books do not count against the 5GB of free storage that comes with iCloud, and users will be able to buy more at a later time. It’s unclear how much additional space will cost, but Apple says it will explain more in the fall. As you’re likely aware, iCloud was announced during WWDC as a replacement for MobileMe. It will automatically store content across all of your devices and keep your mail, contacts, and calendar in sync across all devices. Users will simply need to sign into a new device to pull in all of their settings, photos, and more. More →

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Business
June 13, 2011
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iCloud Communications sues Apple over ‘iCloud’ trademark

By on June 13, 2011 at 3:10 PM.

iCloud Communications sues Apple over ‘iCloud’ trademark

A firm named iCloud Communications has filed a lawsuit against Apple over its “iCloud” trademark. Apple announced the new cloud storage and sync service dubbed iCloud during its WWDC keynote last week, and iCloud Communications now wants the Cupertino-based tech giant to get rid of “all labels, signs, prints, insignia, letterhead, brochures, business cards, invoices and any other written or recorded material or advertisements” referring to the service. The company argues that Apple’s iCloud service is closely related to iCloud Communications’ business:

The goods and services with which Apple intends to use the “iCloud” mark are identical to or closely related to the goods and services that have been offered by iCloud Communications under the iCloud Marks since its formation in 2005.  However, due to the worldwide media coverage given to and generated by Apple’s announcement of its “iCloud” services and the ensuing saturation advertising campaign pursued by Apple, the media and the general public have quickly come to associate the mark “iCloud” with Apple, rather than iCloud Communications.

iCloud Communications said that Apple consistently uses trademarks owned by others, and references other legal battles over trademarks for the iPhone, iAd, Mighty Mouse, iPad, and even the name Apple itself. The company is asking for “all monetary damages sustained and to be sustained … including lost profits and reasonable royalties,” as well as “all profits, gains and advantages obtained from Apple’s unlawful conduct,” in damages. More →

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mobile
June 10, 2011
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Apple’s iCloud service not launching in U.K. until 2012

By on June 10, 2011 at 8:58 AM.

Apple’s iCloud service not launching in U.K. until 2012

Apple’s new iCloud service — announced during Steve Jobs’ WWDC keynote on Monday — will not launch in the United Kingdom until at least the first quarter of 2012. A representative from the Performing Right Society (PRS), an association of songwriters, music publishers, and composers in the United Kingdom told The Telegraph that negotiations with Apple are still at a “very early stage.”

The licensing team at the PRS have started talks with Apple, but are a long way off from any deals being signed … It is very much the early stages of the negotiations and is similar to the launch of iTunes – which began in the US and took a while to roll out to other countries

iCloud will launch in tandem with iOS 5 in the United States this fall. More →

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Breaking
June 6, 2011
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Apple iCloud announced for free, replaces MobileMe

By on June 6, 2011 at 2:25 PM.

Apple iCloud announced for free, replaces MobileMe

Steve Jobs took the stage at WWDC 2011 to talk about Apple’s iCloud service: “Keeping these devices in sync is driving us crazy,” Jobs said as he prepared to introduce the major new service. “We’ve got a great solution to this problem. We’re going to demote the PC and the Mac to just be a device. We’re going to move the digital hub, the center of your digital life, into the cloud.” iCloud will store all of your content and automatically push it to all of your devices. It’s integrated with all of your apps, and everything is seamless. MobileMe is out, and iCloud is going to be free — amazing! Hit the jump for more. More →

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