What will iCloud NOT have that MobileMe has?

[BacklitFirefly]

So, if people are having their MobileMe accounts extended through June 2012, what are they getting (for a little bit longer at least) that the free iCloud won't have?

[kurzz]

Probably iDisk (20gb) and iWeb? They didn't yet say whether those things would be included in iCloud.

[Macsterguy]

Sounds like MobileMe Galleries (which I use daily) is going to be replaced with a lessor "Photo Stream". No mention of any online photo galleries... There are plenty of other options though...

[BacklitFirefly]

Yeah, I'm glad it's going free actually, even if there are some losses with iDisk and Gallery. I never really got into using those. It's been mostly for email that I've kept my account.

Coolness.

[aresinferno]

A complete lack of a web interface by the sounds of it. There was mention of all of the apps being built from scratch again but no word of any way to access anything via a web browser. No screenshots of any web interface on the iCloud information pages. It just seems like a step backwards.

I assume that they still have work to do in the web interface for the new apps and I guess it would be ready by the launch of iCloud, but you think they could have at least mentioned it. It appears that there will be no web interface for the iTunes in the cloud either. That was something that was specifically mentioned to use iTunes as opposed to Amazon and Google's offerings that use the web.

[kurzz]

There is some discussion that Apple is differing from Google with their internet strategy.

Google believes that everything should be on the web. Your apps, your data all in the cloud.

Apple believes that data should be in the cloud and accessed by native apps because it is currently the richest and most polished way to view it.

Though, I'm sure they'll keep their web version of mail and calendar though.

/shrug

[124151155]

I'd really like to know the answer to this as well.

I find it hard to believe that Apple would take away all of MobileMe's features such as the web apps, iDisk, galleries, iWeb hosting, Sync and Back to my Mac. Particularly web apps because we're now left without a solution to accessing our cloud data from a desktop that isn't our own.

Hopefully iCloud will include all of this, it'd be a real shame to drop all these features.

[roadbloc]

It will be sad to see iDisk go.

[grfxboy]

Originally Posted by aresinferno

A complete lack of a web interface by the sounds of it.

This is the only thing keeping me from moving my contacts and calendar from Google to iCloud. If there was a web interface, I would be sold.

[happyslayer]

Losing iDisk is going to suck bad.

[VulchR]

Let's see what actually materializes. However, I agree with the sentiments posted here - why not let those of us who like MobileMe pay for retaining its features?

[dlsife]

Apple could make a fortune by selling @mac addresses instead of forcing people to use @me.

[G2244]

I have seen very little discussion on this so maybe I am the only one using this but it appears Safari bookmarks sync is going away. I hope I am wrong but I don't recall seeing it listed as an iCloud feature anywhere.

[aresinferno]

Originally Posted by G2244

I have seen very little discussion on this so maybe I am the only one using this but it appears Safari bookmarks sync is going away. I hope I am wrong but I don't recall seeing it listed as an iCloud feature anywhere.

I am pretty sure they wouldn't just remove that. iCloud syncs a lot of new stuff, including the Safari Reading List, which is essentially part of your bookmarks. Any application should be able to take advantage of the iCloud API and sync their own stuff to it, I doubt Apple would remove one of their own features.

[hitekalex]

Those of you unhappy about Apple potentially dropping iDisk/iWeb components of MobileMe - join this facebook group to voice your displeasure:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Keep-i...636519?sk=wall

[Saladinos]

There is always DropBox to replace iDisk. I don't think Apple saw much value in competing with them (maybe they'll eventually acquire them? who knows. There have been rumours for ages).

I also don't think we've seen all of iCloud's features announced though. For example, there are options to purchase more storage, which could lead the way in to an iDisk-type app. Apple have been emphasising these features as "iCloud apps", which to me implies that they will be updated regularly and more apps may be on the way.

[maflynn]

Originally Posted by roadbloc

It will be sad to see iDisk go.

I won't miss it. I found it too slow and barely use it. I found dropbox to be a more robust and faster solution.

[maflynn]

Originally Posted by hitekalex

Those of you unhappy about Apple potentially dropping iDisk/iWeb components of MobileMe - join this facebook group to voice your displeasure:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Keep-i...636519?sk=wall

Given that apple didn't update iWeb with the latest iLife refresh, I'd say that app is EOL. I doubt a facebook page will convince apple to change thier ways. Its kind of like an online petition, its only worth the paper its printed on.

[ugahairydawgs]

Unless I am just missing something glaringly obvious, I really don't get why people seem so upset about iDisk going away. Common sense says that with a new cloud based storage strategy there will be, well, online storage available.

We get 5GB of storage space for free and we've already seen iOS5 screenshots from the settings that show the ability to add additional storage capacity (for a fee). I would think an online storage service (hopefully something similar to Dropbox) will be part of how Apple makes their $$ off of iCloud. It wouldn't make much sense for them to limit the document storage part of iCloud to just iWork docs.

[Macsterguy]

What about keychain, dock, preferences and bookmark sync. Surely (and please don't call me Shirley) apple won't delete these useful functions (I have 3-personal Mac's). Surely...

[musicman0725]

Originally Posted by Macsterguy

What about keychain, dock, preferences and bookmark sync. Surely (and please don't call me Shirley) apple won't delete these useful functions (I have 3-personal Mac's). Surely...

iCloud will sync bookmarks as it was mentioned that they will transfer over from your MobileMe account in the KB article Apple posted.

URL: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4597

Also, it looks like Back to my Mac will still be there based on the screenshot from this article 9to5mac posted showing an iCloud preference pane in OS X Lion:

URL: http://www.9to5mac.com/70997/find-my...-lion-preview/

[g8rjohns]

if iDisk is not continued. I can't imagine Apple elimination the feature. That would be a step backwards and totally against the 'PC Free' message.

[hitekalex]

Originally Posted by g8rjohns

if iDisk is not continued. I can't imagine Apple elimination the feature. That would be a step backwards and totally against the 'PC Free' message.

I am 98% sure that iDisk will cease to exist in its current form.

However, Apple will offer an iCloud API to 3rd party developers.. So technically, there may be ways to offer "general purpose" file storage in the iCloud, once the iCloud goes live. Each user gets up 5GB storage in the iCloud - I am sure there will be ways to use this space outside of iWork/iTunes confines, if not "natively" than via 3rd party apps/tools.

[aristobrat]

Originally Posted by hitekalex

However, Apple will offer an iCloud API to 3rd party developers.. So technically, there may be ways to offer "general purpose" file storage in the iCloud, once the iCloud goes live.

If the developers of Things.app and NoteBook.app could use that (an iCloud API) to keep data in perfect sync between the iOS versions of their products and the desktop versions, my life would be complete.

[hamean]

I'm sure there will be "pro" versions of icloud available that will add space and functionality that we've come to expect with mobileme. It may be slightly different but the end user functionality shouldn't take a step back.