Apple’s iCloud: Data in Forefront, Devices in Background
I’ve been on the fence about using Apple products.
What makes me a Google/Android “fanboy” is the seamless integration between GTalk, GMail, Google Contacts, and Google Calendar. These four services are essential and I like that they are baked into my Android phone. I could achieve similar functionality with iOS, but it would not be as seamless. For example, I would have to download a separate GTalk app.
However, Apple’s iCloud service has caused a real disruption in mobile syncing. As I predicted iCloud is completely free. The only paid service will be iTunes Match. All an iOS user has to do is hit the sync button and data is automatically downloaded/uploaded between their devices. This is the Holy Grail of multi-device syncing. There is no need to worry about setting up automatic folder synchronisation or using Dropbox-like tools, which while arguably very powerful requiring some tweaking.
I use a desktop, a laptop, a smartphone and will possibly also purchase a tablet. Keeping my music and videos synced on all these devices will be an annoyance and if iOS can make this less of a headache, I may really consider switching.
