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Original poster

I don't really understand iCloud. Do you?

33 replies

ColdSancerre · 13/10/2011 13:57

What does it actually do? I have just downloaded the iOS5 to iPad and iPhone and I'm feeling distinctly underwhelmed.

OP posts:
BadgersPaws · 13/10/2011 14:08

It's basically just storage space out there on the internet somewhere...

So, for example, if you buy something on your iPad then it becomes available pretty seamlessly (alledgedly, I've not actually tried it) on your iPhone.

You can also back up your contacts and calenders to iCloud, so without needing to plug in an sync your contacts and calenders would then match on both of your devices. Add something on one and it appears on the other.

And the if your computer supports iCloud the same happens on there too.

If you've got an iCloud enabled application, Pages for example is meant to do this, then you can work on your iPhone on something and then pick up your iPad and it will see exactly the same document.

There's lots of Apple fluff about it here:
www.apple.com/icloud/

In the end it's nothing that you couldn't do with some careful syncing with your computer. But now you can do it without plugging things in in a careful order and syncing in sequence. And this is now heading towards a time when you no longer need a computer to use an iOS device at all, and how many people end up using their computer just to backup their iPad?

As is typical with Apple technology they don't actually invent anything new, they just make it all easier to use.

MmeLindor. · 13/10/2011 23:17

I have downloaded it today and find it GOOD.

I have it set up so that it syncs to Outlook for email, contacts and calendars.

For me the advantage is that I can take a photo on iPhone and stream it automatically to PC and iPad. And to any other device that is connected to the iCloud.

Added to that, I can write something on Pages and it immediately becomes available on PC/iPad/Mac. It is pretty much simultaneous (I tested it today).

If you download a song on your iPhone it is added to the other devices without you having to plug your iPhone into the computer.

I blogged about it today (link to blog on profile) if you want to have a look.

fannybanjo · 13/10/2011 23:20

Just updated iTunes to download latest update so looking forward to using this, especially transferring photos from iPhone to iPad.

MmeLindor. · 13/10/2011 23:24

fanny
Yes, I think that is where it will come in really handy. I was doing this via dropbox, but that was much more unwieldy.

fannybanjo · 13/10/2011 23:33

We can message from iPhone to iPhone for free too, is that correct?

fannybanjo · 13/10/2011 23:34

So must add Mac and IPad to iCloud too - is that done via iTunes?

MmeLindor. · 13/10/2011 23:44

yes, you download the mac doodah here

Update to iOS5 on both iPad and iPhone.

Then sign up for the iCloud, if you haven't already.

Once you have done that you can go into Settings and turn on the notifications etc that you want.

I haven't tried the messaging, because DH hasn't updated yet (he has work email on his so has to check with the IT guys first)

niceguy2 · 14/10/2011 08:36

We can message from iPhone to iPhone for free too, is that correct?

Yes but only if they've upgraded too and most of my friends have not yet which is quite frustrating.

Once they have though, when you go to text them, you should see the text box go blue instead of green and in the text box, it will say "Imessage". If it's still the old green then you can only SMS them.

Another thing to be aware of is by default it will appear on all Apple devices associated with the same account. So last night I was texting a mate of mine eventually my daughter came downstairs to complain all my messages were appearing on her phone!

MmeLindor. · 14/10/2011 08:43

Whooops, Niceguy. That is right dodgy. Wonder how many marriages that will break up before people notice that one!

florencepink · 14/10/2011 13:58

How much does it cost to download iCloud please?

BadgersPaws · 14/10/2011 15:02

"How much does it cost to download iCloud please?"

You download a free client in order to use iCloud and you'll get 5gb of space for free.

For iOS devices (iPhones, iPod Touches and iPads) it's a part of iOS5.

Bit's of it (such as storing your music) run through the new version of iTunes.

For other things (Contacts & Calendars) on Macs it's an update to OS X Lion (and only Lion).

For photos on Macs it's an update to iPhote.

For Contacts, Calendars and Photos on PCs there's a client for Windows Vista & 7.

There's also a web interface (iCloud.com) to get at your data.

orienteerer · 13/11/2011 17:52

Rather than start a new thread can I please ask someone geeky the following:
I only have a MacBook (no iphone, ipad etc). I need a back-up system for my documents & photos (not bothered about contacts etc) and it seems like a cloud based application is the way forward. If I down(up?)load documents to the "cloud" and the next day I drop my MacBook in a river will I then be able to access all my documents & photos on the internet via a non Mac PC? Should add I have upgraded to Snow Leopard and about to get Lion but reading some pretty negative views about Lion.

MindtheGappp · 13/11/2011 17:54

You can have things like your contacts list and calender in the Cloud and all IOS devices on your Apple ID will receive them.

Not sure if it is also part of the cloud, but IOS5 will also automatically make available music, apps and photos to each device.

orienteerer · 13/11/2011 18:12

Thanks Mindthegapp, thing is the MacBook is my only apply product and I'm only concerned about backing up docs & photos then being able to access them from a non Apple product IYSWIM.

MindtheGappp · 13/11/2011 19:25

You can back up everything to your PC.

You can back up a back up by copying everything to a new folder that wont be touched by ITunes.

orienteerer · 13/11/2011 19:39

I think I'm being a bit thick here......how can I "back up to my PC" if "my PC" is said MacBook that is now in the bottom of a river? I assume you mean I can access the iCloud from another (non Mac/Apple/I thingy) PC (Windows, Internet Cafe etc)? i.e. on the assumption that I no longer own a PC as I have broken it and need to go to an internet cafe and retrieve my CV/letter to Great Aunt etc off the 'cloud'? I don't do iTunes so don't understand your reference to it.......please, I'm pretty IT literate really but just not Apple/Mac savy and don't own an IPhone/Pod/Pad and don't use ITunesGrin.

BadgersPaws · 13/11/2011 20:38

"need a back-up system for my documents & photos (not bothered about contacts etc) and it seems like a cloud based application is the way forward."

iCloud is not a full backup solution for a Mac.

There is a web interface for it, so you could log in on any computer. But I'm not sure how much you can see through it and anyway, as just said, it won't back everything up so this really isn't the solution you're looking for.

orienteerer · 13/11/2011 20:38

AnyoneGrin?

orienteerer · 13/11/2011 20:42

BadgersPaws - thank you for your answer, sorry for cross post. A bit annoyed really as 'nice young man' in my local Apple Premium Reseller (closest to Apple shop you can get) persuaded me that this was my best solution so have already bought Snow Leopard and was about to buy/download Lion.

BadgersPaws · 13/11/2011 20:47

"A bit annoyed really as 'nice young man' in my local Apple Premium Reseller (closest to Apple shop you can get) persuaded me that this was my best solution so have already bought Snow Leopard and was about to buy/download Lion."

Complain, complain, complain....

iCloud will not back everything up and anyone that told you otherwise is either a liar or totally misinformed, either way not someone you would want to buy anything from.

I'm also a bit confused as to exactly what has happened here. You bough Snow Leopard a while ago and the "nice young man" in the shop advised you to upgrade to Lion?

There might well be a Cloud based backup solution that's up to the task, but it's not iCloud, it's most definitely not iCloud.

orienteerer · 13/11/2011 20:52

Thanks BadgersPaw, seems like I'll be going out to buy a new USB stick for basic back up!! I spoke to "nice man in Apple shop' then subsequently ordered Snow Leopard for about £25. Only just loaded it but seems fine. My next stop was to load Lion but Apple website has a load of negative comments, especially if loading it on to a "slightly" older Mac (mine is 2010).

BadgersPaws · 13/11/2011 21:01

I can't comment on Lion on 2010 Macs, I've got it on a clean new Mac and I'm having no trouble with it.

If that "nice man" told you that iCloud was a backup solution for your Mac then you have quite simply got to complain. As said he was either lying or making things up, both are bad. People can only get away with doing that because either people don't know any better or because people can't be bothered to complain.

I'd invest in an external disk drive and backup to that, possibly through Time Machine.

TechnoViking · 16/11/2011 10:42

I have Lion on my 7 year old Macbook, it works fine and dandy. Grin

BadgersPaws · 16/11/2011 11:50

"I have Lion on my 7 year old Macbook, it works fine and dandy."

The Macbook was released halfway through 2006 so if you've got one of those first release it'll only be 5 1/2 years old.

You cannot put Lion on a 7 year old Mac, so if you have a Mac that is that old don't bother buying it.

The oldest Mac that you can put Lion on would, in theory, be the MacBook Pro and iMac that were released in January 2006. So if you're Mac is 6 or more years old it won't be compatible.

So if there are any users of old Macs out there, and I'm one of them, be aware of that cut off point and don't go installing Lion on a machine that won't be able to run it.

TechnoViking · 18/11/2011 11:48

Forgive me mr pedant. I don't go trawling though the serial numbers to make a point, so don't take it so seriously.

Basically my Macbook is the old original white one and runs Lion fine.