3 – iCLOUD

“I clicked on the mouse about 7 or 8
And I took out the cable ‘Yo homes sync ya later’
I looked for my photos
But they weren’t there
Im just glad that theyre backed up and theyre already shared”

Apple introduced its iCloud service in 2011.  This service allows is 300+ million users to store data such as songs, videos and iOS applications.  It also syncs information from users calendars, contacts, reminders and bookmarks so that they are always accessible at all times plus gives the ability for users to back-up device content wirelessly.

Using the iCloud website you are able to access things like your synced emails, reminders, notes and contacts so that you are always up-to-date across all of your Apple devices, so no need to worry if you forget your phone and all you have is your iPad because all of your appointments will be present and correct based on the last time you amended your appointment, contact or reminder.

Calendar synced across multiple devices.

Another very handy feature of iCloud is that you are able to locate your Apple device should you happen to misplace it.  Using GPS tracking and the Internet when the device has signal it will show you on a map exactly where the device is to within feet of its location.  If it happens to be under the sofa somewhere you can remote access it to play a chiming noise.  Should it be lost and in the hands of someone it shouldn’t be you are able to lock the device to prevent it from being erased or reactivated.

Demonstration of Find My iPhone map.

THE GOOD

• Back up all of your songs and images so you never have to worry about losing them ever again;
• Free storage up to 5GB;
• Sync all organisational information across multiple devices and the web so you always know where you should be and when;
• Easily post across all your content to your newest Apple device.

THE BAD

• All of your content will be stored on servers accessible and under the control of Apple;
• You need an account to manage iCloud;
• 5GB is not a lot of space when talking about media like music and film.