Aerial Footage of Apple's North Carolina Data Center

[MacRumors]

Data Center Knowlege points to a brief YouTube video posted late last week reportedly showing aerial footage of Apple's massive new data center being constructed in the town of Maiden, North Carolina.

It's plenty big, as illustrated by this aerial video posted to YouTube (apparently taken by an area realtor) of the 500,000 square foot facility. The new $1 billion data center will be nearly five times the size of Apple's existing 109,000 square foot Newark, Calif. facility, and is seen as a key component of Apple's cloud computing strategy.

Apple agreed to locate in North Carolina in June 2009 after the state offered $46 million in tax incentives and officially announced the location, about 40 miles northwest of Charlotte, a month later. Apple's exact plans for the facility, among the world's largest, remain unknown, although cloud computing has been seen as a possible focus.

Article Link: Aerial Footage of Apple's North Carolina Data Center

[rdowns]

Doesn't look like the roof supports Flash.

[TheSlush]

Somehow I was expecting a giant glass cube.

[baryon]

Imagine how many songs you could fit into that data centre!

[jav6454]

I find it odd it is missing the huge glowing Apple in the center or that there was a missing plug-in icon.

[itsbarry]

When will it be complete? I really think that Apple is going to make a search engine. Feel free to call me crazy, but that's what I think.

[SkippyThorson]

Originally Posted by itsbarry

When will it be complete? I really think that Apple is going to make a search engine. Feel free to call me crazy, but that's what I think.

Pointless. Google's cornered the market. Between Google, Yahoo, Bing, Ask, etc etc, how many do we need? It's not like I need one for every day of the week. I use Google, and it gets the job done, and that's that. It can't be improved at the moment. It is what it is.

I feel like cloud computing is the most logical idea for this center. Things would be so much less of a hassle if the Operating System, applications, files, etc were all cloud based. Less weight to machines, less moving / breakable parts, more power to dedicate to the immediate system as all it's doing is manipulating files on a server... It all just makes more sense. One day, I think that's where we'll be heading.

I for one, want to work there. It looks like a great place. Then again, key words, 'looks like'.

[SwiftLives]

Originally Posted by itsbarry

When will it be complete? I really think that Apple is going to make a search engine. Feel free to call me crazy, but that's what I think.

As much as Apple likes to control their content, I'm not sure why they'd want to get into the search engine business, since Google pretty much has a significant lead. That's not usually Apple's M.O.

My guess is that it has something to do with a future attempt at application hosting. That would explain the size.

[itsbarry]

Originally Posted by SwiftLives

As much as Apple likes to control their content, I'm not sure why they'd want to get into the search engine business, since Google pretty much has a significant lead. That's not usually Apple's M.O.

My guess is that it has something to do with a future attempt at application hosting. That would explain the size.

Google's "size" means nothing when they can make their search engine the default search on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and Safari (Mac/PC). They'd get about 15-20% of the market. It'd have to be user friendly, useful, well designed, and still load fast. It'd fit well with their new advertising division.

I don't think they'd beat Google, but it'd probably do better than Bing.

[Doctor Q]

Imagine the data bandwidth going into and out of that building! Probably a bit of an electricity bill too once it's in full operation.

[Peace]

Originally Posted by Doctor Q

Imagine the data bandwidth going into and out of that building! Probably a bit of an electricity bill too once it's in full operation.

Yup. and the area is going to have an influx of HVAC people since it must stay cool.

I'm guessing the median income of a AC/HVAC person just went up in that area.

[notromeel]

Ladies and gents... "Cloud media".

This building will host media. Which will allow cloud media.

[libertyforall]

So how do North Carolinians feeling about that $46 Million Apple corporate welfare?

[miketcool]

Originally Posted by TheSlush

Somehow I was expecting a giant glass cube.

Tip of the iceburg...

The rest is 40 stories underground. How else did you think the world's largest passively cooled data center was going to work?

[rdowns]

Originally Posted by itsbarry

When will it be complete? I really think that Apple is going to make a search engine. Feel free to call me crazy, but that's what I think.

You're crazy.

Google has a larger market share in search than Apple does in MP3 players. How are all those iPod killers doing?

[WildCowboy]

Originally Posted by libertyforall

So how do North Carolinians feeling about that $46 Million Apple corporate welfare?

It seems to be the cost of doing business to get Apple to spend $1 billion there. Don't think that North Carolina was the only location under consideration, but they were able to put together an incentive package that worked for Apple, and the boost to the economy will more than make up for it.

So, to offer a partial answer to your question, I have no problem with it. One down, another 9 million+ to go...

[rdowns]

Originally Posted by libertyforall

So how do North Carolinians feeling about that $46 Million Apple corporate welfare?

I'd say they would be as happy as pigs in **** given the facts.

Apple is committed to investing $1 billion there over the next 9 years. That spending will create about 2,000 jobs. Jobs =tax revenues.

[MacFly123]

WOW! How long has it been? That seems to have gone up REALLY FAST!

Originally Posted by SkippyThorson

Pointless. Google's cornered the market. Between Google, Yahoo, Bing, Ask, etc etc, how many do we need? It's not like I need one for every day of the week. I use Google, and it gets the job done, and that's that. It can't be improved at the moment. It is what it is.

I feel like cloud computing is the most logical idea for this center. Things would be so much less of a hassle if the Operating System, applications, files, etc were all cloud based. Less weight to machines, less moving / breakable parts, more power to dedicate to the immediate system as all it's doing is manipulating files on a server... It all just makes more sense. One day, I think that's where we'll be heading.

I for one, want to work there. It looks like a great place. Then again, key words, 'looks like'.

Please don't let this happen! The LAST thing I want is for everything I do on my computer to be controlled and stored by someone else! MAJOR security and privacy risks!

I am fine with complimentary cloud based services like Apple does now, but NOT everything being taken from me and going to the cloud! Apple has expressed several times that they don't like that method. Steve Jobs himself has said that several times. So hopefully they will continue on that path and let ME keep my programs and data and content to MYSELF!

[guzhogi]

Originally Posted by MacFly123

WOW! How long has it been? That seems to have gone up REALLY FAST!



Please don't let this happen! The LAST thing I want is for everything I do on my computer to be controlled and stored by someone else! MAJOR security and privacy risks!

I am fine with complimentary cloud based services like Apple does now, but NOT everything being taken from me and going to the cloud! Apple has expressed several times that they don't like that method. Steve Jobs himself has said that several times. So hopefully they will continue on that path and let ME keep my programs and data and content to MYSELF!

I feel the same way. Computers have so much power today, why not use it? I like the shared thing a bit. I use MobileMe to sync contacts between my home & work computers, but that's it.

If everything goes cloud based, what happens if your internet access goes down? You wan't be able to access your files.

Also, looking at the whole iPhone/iPad thing & Apple censorship, I don't want to get into the situation where Apple says "Sorry, you can't use that kind of program / file." Especially if it ends up in them taking away all your access & files.

The last thing I worry about if we go all cloud computing is what happens to pro apps like Final Cut & games like Crysis (I know, not a Mac game, but you get the idea). These things are pretty intensive & not able to run well if done entirely over the internet.

I don't know what this'll be used for, but I'm hoping maybe a thing for the iTunes store. I remember when the iPhone 3G came out how it crashed the system. Maybe a search engine, but as many have said, there are so many other search stations w/ Google being so big.

[mrrydogg]

Seems by the video this could be a multi-purpose building, possibly a shipping hub too? There are a lot of freight doors on the side which leads me to believe they will be doing a lot of shipping/receiving. I'm no expert, so I may be way off base, but I can't imagine a server farms needs that kind of freight operation.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[dead76]

Originally Posted by mrrydogg

Seems by the video this could be a multi-purpose building, possibly a shipping hub too? There are a lot of freight doors on the side which leads me to believe they will be doing a lot of shipping/receiving. I'm no expert, so I may be way off base, but I can't imagine a server farms needs that kind of freight operation.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I totally agree. Was just about to post that. Cloud-computing doesn't need this many delivery bays. This is more then just server site.

[1999ncsu]

Originally Posted by libertyforall

So how do North Carolinians feeling about that $46 Million Apple corporate welfare?

There is lots of unemployment in the area. While most still won't work for Apple (or Google), I hope that other companies will take notice and decide on Western NC.

I am pretty happy. Also shocked that Google and Apple are now in the area.

[LeoFio]

Originally Posted by libertyforall

So how do North Carolinians feeling about that $46 Million Apple corporate welfare?

$46 million is nothing compared to the $1.37 billion in incentives given to AMD-or GlobalFoundries- for a chip fab in upstate NY. Benefits outweigh the costs here, just as they will down there. It's an investment, not welfare (these companies don't need the money-the money is given to them as an incentive to come to a particular area).

[DaBrain]

Originally Posted by notromeel

Ladies and gents... "Cloud media".

This building will host media. Which will allow cloud media.

+1000

This will be the source of D/L'g Ebooks, Movies and music and anything else Apple wants to send to you.

[DaBrain]

Originally Posted by dead76

I totally agree. Was just about to post that. Cloud-computing doesn't need this many delivery bays. This is more then just server site.

Could be a lot of ebooks to scan?--)))

Also why not an east coast hardware distribution center along side all the cloud activities that will take place from here.