Apple has introduced its ‘iCloud’ service, promising a host of wireless content storage and management across a whole range of devices.
CEO Steve Jobs took to the stage at Apple’s WWDC in San Francisco to announce the new service, stating “Today it is a real hassle and very frustrating to keep all your information and content up-to-date across all your devices.
“Cloud keeps your important information and content up to date across all your devices. All of this happens automatically and wirelessly, and because it’s integrated into our apps you don’t even need to think about it-it all just works.”
Good news for consumers is that a whole host of the core iCloud functionality is free. Amongst these features is a revamped MobileMe service – now incorporated into the iCloud – as well automatic iCloud Backup from your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch during charge.
iCloud Storage also features, allowing automatic ‘push’ backup of all of your documents to the iCloud, with up to 5GB of free storage incorporated.
One feature of the iCloud that will catch the eye of photographers is the innovative Photo Stream service. Photo Stream automatically uploads photos captures or imported on any of your devices and wirelessly pushes them to all of your computers and devices. Photo Stream is built into the photo apps on all iOS devices, iPhoto on Macs and saved to the Pictures folder on a PC.
A raft of other functionality and services arrive with the iCloud, which will be available to download later this year.
For more information check out the full press release below.