ICloud Computing Services - Assignment Example

ICloud Student’s Name Institution: ICloud Introduction ICloud is a cloud computing service that allows users to store a vast amounts of photos, music’s, documents and photos in the cloud storage[McN11]. Basically, cloud storage is a paradigm of an online storage, whereby information is reserved in an envisaged puddles hosted by three parties[McN11]. Cloud computing in its part, is the utilisation of computing expedient such as hardware and software, expressed as a service on the internet[Fit11]. The name cloud originates from the utilisation of a cloud mould emblem as absentmindedness for the complicated foundation it restrains in system diagrams. Fitchard (2011) posits that, cloud computing entrusts segregated services with the user’s facts, computation and software. Icloud application offers a cloud services, which works seamlessly with other applications in iPod touch, iPad, and iPhone, Pc or Mac to stockpile/store user’s data such as iOS applications automatically and wirelessly in the iCloud. After storage, the iCloud pushes the data automatically and wirelessly to the user’s device such as iOS established devices, OS x 10.7.2 ‘Lion’ or Microsoft windows. Herring (2012), asserted that, iCloud act as a data-synchronizing centre for emails, calendars, contacts reminders and other data. ICloud features According to Gruenwedel (2011), iCloud enables users to take photos on their device such as iPod touch, and automatically make the photos appear on the users other devices. In this regard, the photo taken for instance by iPod touch is launched in the icloud and automatically conveyed to other devices such as iPhone, iPad and Mac[McN11]. Moreover, McNeill (2011) indicates that iCloud automatically conveys a copy of the photos, which the user has imported from his digital camera over Ethernet or Wi-Fi, so that the user can view the image on other devices. According to Gruenwedel (2011), iCloud efficiently manages the user photo stream, whereby it ensures the user does not run out of storage space by exhibiting the previous 1000 photos. Forde (2011) observers that icloud contains a backup, wherein pertinent data is safely backed up through Wi-Fi when the device is connected to power. In this regard, when the user plugs his device in the socket, all data are backed up efficiently and rapidly. According to Apple CEO Steve Jobs, iCloud stores procured music, applications, books, TV shows, and photo stream. Technologically, iCloud backup takes care of almost everything such as backing up ringtones and messaging, application data, videos and photos in the camera roll, and application and home screen organization[McN11]. ICloud operates with the user contacts, mail and calendar, whereby the users can share application such as calendars’ with their family and friends. Marko (2011) indicates that ICloud updates the user’s folders and inboxes to date across the user’s computers and iOS devices. In addition, iCloud enhances easy web access to the user’s mail, calendar, contacts and find my iWork and iPhone documents. Another feature contained in the iCloud is the iTunes, which permits users to download their previously procured iTunes music in their all iOS devices at no supplemental cost[McN11]. In addition, the user can procure and automatically download new iTunes music to his device. Moreover, music, which was not procured through iTunes, with iTunes match, can profit from it. In this regard, iTunes service is a service that substitutes the user’s music with a free version of 256 kbps AAC DRM that matches the music that is not procured from iTunes with 18 million songs in the iTunes stockpile[McN11]. According Herring (2012), this makes the matched music available in minutes and uploads a small percentage of music. Icloud storage Pricing In 2011, august Apple Inc. disclosed the pricing mechanism for the new iCloud service. The service provides customers with a free 5GB free storage in the cloud. Users who upgrades to 10GB pays $20 annually, while those who add 20GB pay $40 and for additional 50GB it cost them $100 annually. According to the company website, contents procured through Apple’s iTunes store such as applications, books, movies, music and TV shows do not enumerate towards 5GB restriction. This is because; the 5GB storage is linked separately from the iTunes’s database. Moreover, the users who previously had MobileMe accounts in addition to the free 5GB, they are given an extra 20GB tier on the cloud. However, this offer ended 30th September 2012. ICloud System Requirements ICloud can be applied in different types of devices and computers however, the devices and computers must meet specific requirements. For instance, in iPad, iPod touch and iPhone, users are required to update to iOS 5, for those utilizing the earliest version, iTunes guides them on the updating process after they integrate their device to the computer[McN11]. For iPhone and iPod touch users, they require at least iPod Touch 3rd generation and iPhone 3GS. For window users, they require window vista or window 7 SP 2, in order to set up iCloud on their pc. In this regard, the user is expected to download the windows iCloud control panel and iTunes 10.5 or above. However, according to McNeill (2011), one cannot register iCloud account from the PC. Therefore, they need an Apple device such as iPhone or iPad to create the account. Finally, for Mac users, the users are expected to have the latest version of Mac OS X Lion and iTunes 10.5 or higher in order to set up the iCloud on the Mac. Mac users who want to utilize the photo stream, they need to have Aperture 3.2 or iPhoto 9.2 on their Mac[APP11]. Icloud positive Impact Icloud has cued a wireless post pc era. According to Gruenwedel (2011), after the introduction of iCloud, the future of PC radically changed, due to the basic changes to the way people listen to music. Watch videos and TV shows, and store pictures. ICloud connects computers wirelessly, with the user’s data and software stored and conveyed on the cloud. In this regard, users will no longer require the customary PC, as a replacement they can utilize Apples’ devices such as iPod touch, iPad’s and iPhone. Gruenwedel (2011) posited that iCloud has brought an enormous shift in connectivity that has influenced PC users. In his observation, Rodriguez (2012) posited that iCloud separates all computing devices making them independent from each other, thereafter it ties them together only by means of wireless cloud. During iCloud launching, Apple’s CEO Steve jobs told software developers that, the company did not introduce iCloud to demote the PC into a device, but iCloud was meant to move the digital hub into the cloud[APP11]. In this regard, iPad, iPod and iPhone users through iCloud can operate entirely without a computer. Forde (2011) posited that, iCloud has significance for the broadcasters, since it provides an additional broadband bandwidth and breaks the national boundaries by allowing personal videos to be stored in the cloud hence can be seen worldwide. Analysts argue that iCloud has paved way for sub service. In this regard, iCloud contains a base for subsidized services, whereby users pay premium devices with the inclusion of the cloud subscription. According to Forde (2011), iCloud contains ‘scan and match’, whereby the device detects the user’s iTunes collection and unlatches streaming access so that the user stream from the Apple servers, instead of uploading replica tracks. In his part, Merlin CEO Charles Caldas posits that iCloud has brought a revolution on the digital music market, because the service leads towards a market that is more about gaining entrance and not consumption[Her12]. In his observation, Caldas argue that unlike ‘Google and Amazon’, iCloud approach is about providing a perfectly functional and licence service that have copyright holders support. Icloud Drawbacks Privacy issues have been a centre for online debate in the recent years. However, iCloud with applications’ such as Find My Friends and Photo stream provides a possibility for the emergence of privacy issues, such as tracking unwilling individuals, uploading shameful pictures mistakenly due to what is termed as ‘users errors’[Fit11]. In addition, iCloud is optimized to work only with Apple products, according to Forde (2011); the problem with Apple is that they focus only on their ecosystem. In his opinion, McNeil (2011) argues that in the ‘consumer world’, software developers tend to posses substantial pliability in the selection of their own hardware’s and software. However, Forde (2011) posits that, in the enterprise world, software developers should typically use platforms, devices, software and operating systems that originate from a display of suppliers and not on their preferred choice. According to Marko (2011), iCloud simplifies file distribution and management for small companies who are reliant on iOS and Mac OS X hardware. However, Forde (2011) posited that iCloud hurdles for large companies, which make them reluctant on adopting iCloud. For instance, Apple does not offer service legal agreements that warrant iCloud quality of service. Forde (2011), argue that for many large organisations, this is a deal breaker. Companies are avoiding entrusting their crucial information to a service that may fail to perform when needed most, especially with the knowledge of the performance issues influencing MobileMe (2008) an iCloud’s predecessors. In addition, iCloud lacks clarity about encryption, Fitchard (2001), asserts that failure by Apple to provide advanced information concerning the availability and quality in iCloud has made businesses take precaution, not to allow iCloud store and execute their crucial data. This concern was fuelled when it became public that Apple had been stockpiling Wi-Fi hotspot data on iPhone without coding. Manageability has also gained a spot in the iCloud drawbacks. Rodriguez (2012) recommends that information technology specialists must oppose iCloud, because of the heightened number of workers utilizing iPhones and iPads in the workplace. In his argument, Rodriguez (2012) offers an example on worker using iPad who may gain access to the company emailed document, then through Apple’s word processing application he manages to open the emailed document, then he sends the copy to the iCloud and back to other congruous devices. In this, regard Rodriguez (2012), terms this as ‘corporate policy violation’, which can jeopardize the company operations and secrets. In addition, IT specialist posits that, iCloud was developed to set up a possible clash against information technology[Mar11]. Conclusion For many years, enterprises have benefited from cloud computing in order to enhance smooth business operation. Development of iCloud has permit users to synchronise information onto their devices and still access the same information from other iOS devices. This innovation has enhanced companies to increase productivity even when the workers cannot make to the office and has reduced office operation cost. Reference McN11: , (McNeill, 2011), Fit11: , (Fitchard, 2011), APP11: , (Gruenwedel, 2011), Her12: , (Herring, 2012), Mar11: , (Marko, 2011), Read More