iCloud Beta Previews Web Versions of Notes and Reminders

[baryon]

I'd use iCloud if it didn't prevent USB syncing. I have a 2nd Gen iPod Touch which doesn't support iCloud, so enabling iCloud will block USB syncing of Calendars for example, and since it doesn't sync on iCloud either, it just doesn't sync altogether. Turning iCloud off results in the deletion of the entire Calendar, and restoring it from Time Machine also restores iCloud syncing.

Apple didn't think this through!

 

[Bezetos]

With more than 125 million iCloud users as of April, it's unsurprising that the company is focusing so much effort on the service -- both on iOS and the Web.

The problem here is that this number is quite bloated. There are a lot of people who are "iCloud users" and are not even aware of it, they've simply created an iCloud account whilst setting up their phone and are not using properly it afterwards since they forgot about it.

It's good that Apple is working on improving this service because it will consequently raise awareness as well, i.e. what you can do with this service other than backing up your contacts.

 

[comatory]

I'd use iCloud if it didn't prevent USB syncing. I have a 2nd Gen iPod Touch which doesn't support iCloud, so enabling iCloud will block USB syncing of Calendars for example, and since it doesn't sync on iCloud either, it just doesn't sync altogether. Turning iCloud off results in the deletion of the entire Calendar, and restoring it from Time Machine also restores iCloud syncing.

Apple didn't think this through!

In your case I'd forget USB syncing and just use wi-fi syncing if it's possible, or even IMAP or Exchange for calendar syncing via internet.

 

[Skika]

The problem here is that this number is quite bloated. There are a lot of people who are "iCloud users" and are not even aware of it, they've simply created an iCloud account whilst setting up their phone and are not using properly it afterwards since they forgot about it.

It's good that Apple is working on improving this service because it will consequently raise awareness as well, i.e. what you can do with this service other than backing up your contacts.

And that is the best thing about the iCloud. It syncs/works your stuff between devices without you thinking about it. It is the main philosophy behind it.

 

[macducky]

Completely agree, notes is a simple and useful app that I would find difficult to do without.

I use notes for shopping, work hours, my training plan, list of bills, etc. All in one convenient place without having to worry about formatting, and synced across all my devices and soon to be available on an browser. Perfect.

I love my iPad and iPhone...I too have been waiting for notes to come to OSX and reminders to be removed from iCal...

But both are USELESS without two simple fixes:
- give both the ability to organize notes/reminders into "folders" (alla "home" / "work" etc)
- make use of a checkbox system that allows list items to be checked off!!! (and use checklists inside individual notes (margin))
...and while you are at it make them easy to order each line manually / alphabetically!!!!

SIMPLE fixes!!!! More users!!!! #

 

[jennyp]

There is no Apple developed OS X equivalent of "Notes".

But there will be in Mountain Lion.. with images and attachments.. (which will be enough for me at least to ditch Evernote).. Or did I misunderstand your comment?

 

[randomnut]

I wish they would focus their efforts on making what they have better rather than trying to add new features.

iCloud mail needs an overhaul. It's clunky, horribly slow and seems almost from the 90s.

Whilst there's a lot wrong with GMail it is miles better than iCloud mail and they have a lot to learn.

 

[cryingrobot]

Every 4th or 5th post refers to this but its worth repeating. Without a replacement for idisk, icloud is just a synching service. The absence of real cloud storage is really really glaring and odd.

 

[Piggie]

I will admit, some of the comments in this thread do ring a few bells with me.

Ever since buying the iPad 1, so I have seen it all change over the years, it did seem, and still does in some aspects.
Like many of the official apps were made my totally different teams with totally different graphic designers, in some ways with totally different touch control methods.

Rather than a totally consistent look, feel and may us using some of Apple's own official apps, it's almost like there are 3rd party apps made by totally different people.

I will admit to being a bit puzzled, as I would of thought they would of wanted to present a consistent "look and feel" to all their own official apps.

Almost like the different teams who wrote the different official apps were all shut away in rooms, not allowed to see what the others were doing, and it was all thrown together when they were done.

Does seem strange.

 

[Konrad]

It is hard to disagree with the critics of the retarded faux leather, the imbecile stitching, and the idiot "antique" look of the ripped pages in iCal. I was near puking once Lion changed the Address Book to this cheap wall mart wallet design. WTF Apple, these apps are often used in the business environment!

 

[Bezetos]

And that is the best thing about the iCloud. It syncs/works your stuff between devices without you thinking about it. It is the main philosophy behind it.

Oh spare me this marketing talk.

The fact that people are not aware of it is a problem. They don't know how to use it to its full potential. All you get after your initial phone setup is synced contacts, calendar (although you have to set it up on your computer if you want it synced), reminders and notes. You have to set up e.g. photo stream, backups, separately. Bear in mind that I'm talking here about people who own only one iOS device, so things like iBook page sync don't really work for them. That's why web based access to these things is a big improvement.

And that "philosophy" behind it applies to every other cloud-based technology.

 

[powers74]

Sweet!!

Why would anyone use Notepad instead of a piece of paper or lists? There are dedicated apps, like Grocery IQ, that are infinitely more usefull for that kind of stuff.

Between notes and reminders I never use 2Do anymore. I do use a grocery app though.

 

[davedee65]

I have to admit as a designer I am beginning to struggle with the direction Apple seems to be intent on following re it's iOS apps GUI. I think they would do well to read this article:

http://imagemechanics.com.au/#!/blog/2011/its-time-to-send-the-metaphor-to-the-trash-can/

D

 

[Born Again]

Nice addition of battery meter on Find My iPhone.

Find My iPhone definitely feels beta. The accuracy is not as good as the current stable version and the textures are off. Not fully baked yet.

Will they be bringing their iOS maps to the web version of Find My iPhone?

iCloud does feels beta

Love my apple devices but I can't lie..iCloud is weak sauce

No storage no better organization etc

Honestly im getting jealous of the innovations of googles android OS.

Come on apple please be competitive! I've invested too much in your ecosystem

 

[aduteau]

I wonder if Apple will ever include a web version of iMessage for iCloud .....

 

[Dionte]

Yah it let me sign in even though my account expired on the 6th.

 

[Gemütlichkeit]

The next big thing I want to see from apple is an online iwork setup similar to google docs. pages/numbers/keynote from a browser even if simplified

 

[jonnysods]

Interesting to see Google Maps in those screenshots

 

[rainydays]

Seriously, how could anyone trust Apple with cloud data/apps?

Mac.com - big hype, now gone.
me.com - big hype, now gone.
mobileme - big hype, now gone.
iwork.com - big hype, nearly gone.

See the pattern?

The way I see it, these (along with iTools) are essentially the same service in different packages. They haven't been a huge success that's for sure, but to be fair Apple was very early into the game and cloud based services hasn't started to take off into the mainstream until fairly recently.

 

[bushido]

they need to put the "GameCenter" in the cloud as in ... let the game scores be saved in the cloud. this way the Gamecenter is at least of some use ^^

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Apple says it is using iCloud to "increase customer delight".

Then come out with a real replacement for iDisk.

 

[Sackvillenb]

Well, although these are simple, and obvious, and overdue additions to iCloud.com, they are still useful. Everyone complaining about how "useless" notes is needs to take a chill-pill. Notes is a dead simple app, and as a result, it has it's uses. I use other apps when I need more functionality (e.g. evernote), but for a simple list, or for "scribbling" something down really quickly, notes is great. While I do agree that apple could be putting more energy into iWork, logic, etc., I doubt the investment of time and energy into implementing these new iCloud features was very much.

 

[mrial]

Why would anyone use Notepad instead of a piece of paper or lists? There are dedicated apps, like Grocery IQ, that are infinitely more usefull for that kind of stuff.

Why just yesterday I was on the floor trying to find the model number of my dryer for a part ... couldn't find a piece of paper and pencil but I still had my iPhone handy with Notepad! Notepad is a quick load and easy. Grocery IQ works well now they've updated it to back before they updated it.

 

[Canubis]

I really appreciate that Apple found the way back to making their webservice fully integrated into their other products not just by functionality but also by price. So that they are really just another feature of the Hardware product you already paid for. Makes it accessible to many more users, though I never minded paying for the .mac/me services all the recent years.

However, after switching from me to icloud really last minute last week, it all feels a bit like unfinished business. The transition worked fine, but I am really missing feature which have been essential to me. And which make iCloud not feel like a successor to MobileMe, instead rather like its predecessor.

And I mean this not just by functionality (why is stuff like mailbox, rules, keychain sync not part of Apple's advanced cloud strategy, why did they kill the comparably well featured MM galleries to come up with the plain Photostream and now Shared Photostream,....). I am also talking about design. While some may think of all the ultra-realistic styles for Addressbook, Calendar, Notes as super fancy they actually don't seem to have anything to do with the simple and functionality based design many of us are used by Apple for decades. It seems like they totally trashed their famous design guidelines and this nightmare obviously may continue for their other platforms too.
While it may be true and good, to use metaphors in user interface design that people already know, how many users of Apple's main target group actually still know, how a realy calendar, a real addressbook or a folder-bounded notepad looks and works like. Me myself, I havn't used any of them for ages. I already grew up with digital counterparts and I am not the youngest anymore.

Don't get me wrong, I am very open minded to all the fancy stuff, but still design should be functions based, then form follows.

 

[somethingelsefl]

It is the visible stiching in the notepad cover that really lets me know I'm dealing with a piece of quality merchandise. A cheaper cover might use glue to seal the seams, but you know that will split eventually and then your cover will fall apart and your note pad and your reminder slips will be lose and could get exposed to rain or something. A nicely stiched leather notepad cover will keep them all together and organized.

You know that Jonathan Ives himself has said that he dislikes that the "faux leather" treatment that Apple is putting on all of it's apps because it contradicts the simplicity the of devices they run on, right?