Apple Reportedly Using Chinese Server Supplier to Migrate iCloud Service

[Rogifan]

I agree with Ben Thompson who thinks the cloud is NOT something Apple should bring in house. I understand wanting to own the whole widget from a device standpoint but the cloud is not Apple's strength and rather than spending all this time bringing it in house they should either acquire Dropbox and run it as a subsidiary or let someone like Microsoft run the backend. Then Apple can focus its energy on best in class services that sit on top of the cloud.

 

[Sea Bass]

You do realize the US's space program succeeded in the 50s and 60s in large part because of German scientists they came here after the war, or the guns that protect our freedom are here because of the Chinese inventing gun powder.

While the US has created many great wonders, and invented a lot of awesome technology, China has a history that spans millennia and it includes great achievements that are not easily swept under the rug.

Not that I agree with his point, but I believe he's referring to recent Chinese history, under the PRC.

 

[69Mustang]

I agree with Ben Thompson who thinks the cloud is NOT something Apple should bring in house. I understand wanting to own the whole widget from a device standpoint but the cloud is not Apple's strength and rather than spending all this time bringing it in house they should either acquire Dropbox and run it as a subsidiary or let someone like Microsoft run the backend. Then Apple can focus its energy on best in class services that sit on top of the cloud.

Things may have changed, but Dropbox already declined to be acquired by Apple. Personally, I'd like Dropbox to remain independent. I do agree Apple strength isn't the cloud. Maybe they could identify and attempt to acquire key talent instead of companies. Better yet, as you said, let the experts like Amazon, MS, and Google handle the backend.

On topic: As long as Apple adheres to their privacy stance and keeps the server traffic encrypted, there really shouldn't be a technical issue with Chinese servers. Political and philosophical ideology is a different issue altogether.

 

[maflynn]

Not that I agree with his point, but I believe he's referring to recent Chinese history, under the PRC.

I know but the blanket statement was so encompassing, I didn't necessarily won't to ignore the rich history that China certainly has.

 

[morcutt11]

Remember, if the servers are running windows, they'll need to reboot for Patch Tuesday on the 2nd and sometimes 4th Tuesday of the month...

 

[The Martian]

I know but the blanket statement was so encompassing, I didn't necessarily won't to ignore the rich history that China certainly has.

And don't forget one of the best things China ever gave us.....FIREWORKS!!!!

 

[BeefCake 15]

Comment templates for any other option:

1. Microsoft = Sell outs that joined Prism day 1
2. Google = In bed with govt. and joined Prism
3. Any other US mfg. = They're sell outs or too stupid to protect our data
4. European mfg. = This makes it even easier for NSA spying, dam you Timmy!
5. Russia = In soviet Russia, server spies on you...
6. China = Of course the Chinese government is gonna hack us, dam you Timmy for selling out!
7. Shut down the whole dam program = Apple sucks and is way behind the rest of the technology world, Steve wouldn't let this happen!

Damned if you do, Damned if you don't....

Now let's hear a serious decision by people in detail if they were in Tim's shoes!

 

[Black Magic]

Comment templates for any other option:

1. Microsoft = Sell outs that joined Prism day 1
2. Google = In bed with govt. and joined Prism
3. Any other US mfg. = They're sell outs or too stupid to protect our data
4. European mfg. = This makes it even easier for NSA spying, dam you Timmy!
5. Russia = In soviet Russia, server spies on you...
6. China = Of course the Chinese government is gonna hack us, dam you Timmy for selling out!
7. Shut down the whole dam program = Apple sucks and is way behind the rest of the technology world, Steve wouldn't let this happen!

Damned if you do, Damned if you don't....

Now let's hear a serious decision by people in detail if they were in Tim's shoes!

Oh and Microsoft is doing nothing but copying Apple's playbook almost entirely.

1. Microsoft Stores.
2. Create Surface Pro.
3. Create Surface Book,
4. Create Surface Phone.
5. Now you have Microsoft version of Apple.

 

[2457282]

Hold On! If Apple is looking to move their services in house and building out all those huge data centers, what exactly is this Chinese company that everyone is rant about going to do? Before the ranting gets into Trump-wall-building-kick-em-out mode (oh I am too late for that I guess), can we get clarification on what the role of this company is (if any)?

 

[BeefCake 15]

Oh and Microsoft is doing nothing but copying Apple's playbook almost entirely.

1. Microsoft Stores.
2. Create Surface Pro.
3. Create Surface Book,
4. Create Surface Phone.
5. Now you have Microsoft version of Apple.

I think you missed the point, I was referring to other options of where they migrate their data.

 

[dsmedic10]

Someone who misspelled Canal can't be racist. Also, someone who disagrees with you, even if they're wrong, isn't a racist.

Might just be me, but often when I see your posts for a maybe split second at least words like, racist and bigot pop into my head. Anyhow, that’s just my opinion.
Wikipedia has a different view of things, (below is a small snippet);
China has been the source of many innovations, scientificdiscoveries and inventions.[1] This includes the Four Great Inventions: papermaking, the compass, gunpowder, and printing (both woodblock and movable type). The list below contains these and other inventions in China attested by archaeology or history.

For ease, I’ve included a hyperlink for you HERE.

 

[Black Magic]

I think you missed the point, I was referring to other options of where they migrate their data.

No, I get the "everyone is spying on us so what can you do" point. Just wanted to add that their is more than spying going on that Apple should be concerned about.

 

[jonnysods]

I'm kind of with everyone on here, this doesn't feel like it's in our best interests in terms of security. China is still a communist country, run by a pretty intense government. If they want customer data from a company, they only ask one, and they may not even say 'please' I would imagine.

 

[bstpierre]

Hold On! If Apple is looking to move their services in house and building out all those huge data centers, what exactly is this Chinese company that everyone is rant about going to do? Before the ranting gets into Trump-wall-building-kick-em-out mode (oh I am too late for that I guess), can we get clarification on what the role of this company is (if any)?

I read the article to mean that Apple is buying some server hardware from a Chinese company to put in Apple's own server farms in the various countries listed. Apparently most everyone else read it as Apple is going to put their iCloud data on servers run by a Chinese company.

 

[BeefCake 15]

No, I get the "everyone is spying on us so what can you do" point. Just wanted to add that their is more than spying going on that Apple should be concerned about.

Good point, so you're hinting at the technical espionage aspect of it.

 

[Fancuku]

The iCloud.

Designed in California. Residing in China.

 

[Black Magic]

Good point, so you're hinting at the technical espionage aspect of it.

Apple does utilize Microsoft Azure for its cloud offering. Just saying
[doublepost=1460390902][/doublepost]

I'm kind of with everyone on here, this doesn't feel like it's in our best interests in terms of security. China is still a communist country, run by a pretty intense government. If they want customer data from a company, they only ask one, and they may not even say 'please' I would imagine.

I have heard that products (Routers and Switches)manufactured in China have been known to be modified to allow easy access and control for China. Guess where the iPhones are assembled?

The point I'm trying to make is that you guys get worked up on one little detail when there is so much more in your face that you overlook.

 

[2457282]

I read the article to mean that Apple is buying some server hardware from a Chinese company to put in Apple's own server farms in the various countries listed. Apparently most everyone else read it as Apple is going to put their iCloud data on servers run by a Chinese company.

exactly the point I was going after. Maybe the editor can clarify what this article is trying to say before everyone's short get all knotted. (probably too late)

 

[BeefCake 15]

exactly the point I was going after. Maybe the editor can clarify what this article is trying to say before everyone's short get all knotted. (probably too late)

I think people are pointing at backdoor in those servers for the Chinese.

 

[Parasprite]

Is anyone on here not xenophobic?

 

[Black Magic]

Is anyone on here not xenophobic?

I don't think folks are being Xenophobic, I think many are commenting on the fact that China is one of the biggest threats to our national security these days due to the enormous amount of hacking. This information is provided by the media and government or in some cases people's own experiences.

 

[Ap0ks]

I think people are pointing at backdoor in those servers for the Chinese.

...and yet every Apple device except a few Mac Pros are made in China so not sure what everybody is gabbing on about, a lot of posters are fussing over nothing.

At scale you aren't going to buy HP or Dell servers (and are also made in China) since they cost too much, you're going to look for an OEM in China that can build and deliver thousands of servers at a low price, just like Facebook, Google, et al.

 

[2457282]

I think people are pointing at backdoor in those servers for the Chinese.

The fact that you are posting on this website means you are using some computer/mobile device to post with. That device was made in China. So if there is a backdoor in the hardware, they have already come in and taken anything of value from you. Therefore you have nothing to worry about here.

 

[BeefCake 15]

The fact that you are posting on this website means you are using some computer/mobile device to post with. That device was made in China. So if there is a backdoor in the hardware, they have already come in and taken anything of value from you. Therefore you have nothing to worry about here.

Refer to my original post and you'll know where I stand. https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...e-icloud-service.1967025/page-2#post-22787738

 

[DesertSurfer]

Or make sure that the shield generator on Endor's forest moon isn't taken down by a few teddy bears.

Fear the Panda!