Is iCloud just for those with multiple devices?

[reck]

I’m I correct in thinking iCloud’s primary purpose is to sync data (contacts, email, photos )between multiple apple devices, i.e. mac,iphone,ipad?

If so does iCloud offer any other benefits to single device users such as myself who just owns an iphone or should I just turn it off?

Thanks

 

[aziatiklover]

yes and no because iCloud could be your main email as well. My MobileMe account soon to merge to iCloud is my main email that I have used for the past 4 years now.

 

[mms13]

Another one of iClouds big selling points is the fact that iPhone and iPad users do not need to rely on syncing to a computer anymore. Since backups and syncs are performed via the cloud, you could realistically never sync with iTunes on your computer again.

 

[Small White Car]

If your phone fell in a lake I'd sure think it'd be great to be able to restore a lot of your data just by buying a new phone and logging into a free service.

You do know that it's free, right?

 

[profets]

For single device use are you not including a computer? Some advantages I think of even for single iDevice use would be backups and photostream

 

[GoCubsGo]

I think the more iDevices you have the more benefits you'll see but the benefits of iCloud seem to reach even single iDevice users.

 

[reck]

I should mention that I use gmail for my mail/contacts/calendar and will be sticking with that in iOS5.

So it seems from the replies that the main benefit for me is for backing up\syncing?

 

[bmms8]

i think their selling point is the more devices, the merrier. since you have multiple devices itll be so easy to keep them synced. i started using icloud yesterday and its great. backing up to icloud does take a little time but i think it will get better in the upcoming weeks. the layout of icloud.com is more enriched than me.com too.

 

[reck]

i think their selling point is the more devices, the merrier.

Yep that was the impression I was getting, but i've not used iCloud yet.

 

[bmms8]

Yep that was the impression I was getting, but i've not used iCloud yet.

yea its typical apple

but this will make it so much easier for my family who never syncs or backs up, ios 5 will make it 100 times easier.

i got 10.7.2 from imzdl. works flawlessly.

 

[bowlerman625]

iCloud has nice benefits for the owner of a single iOS device or someone who owns more than one.

 

[akuma13]

I'm a google user too and sync with gmail, google calendar and contacts. Apple's native apps seem to synch well with google that I'm not sure if there is a benefit to switch to icloud. It would be nice if icloud had a migrate function though.

 

[reck]

Yes google mail\contacts\calendar via exchange works fantastically on the iphone so I have no intention of moving.

 

[The Game 161]

yes and no because iCloud could be your main email as well. My MobileMe account soon to merge to iCloud is my main email that I have used for the past 4 years now.

What happens to the find my iPhone app? Does it carry over to icloud? I want to register my phone to find my iPhone so should I wait till icloud is out or do you still register it via mobile me?

 

[bmms8]

What happens to the find my iPhone app? Does it carry over to icloud? I want to register my phone to find my iPhone so should I wait till icloud is out or do you still register it via mobile me?

icloud has find my iphone. it also has find my mac, but i am not sure if that is working yet, its not for me.

 

[nikhsub1]

Yes google mail\contacts\calendar via exchange works fantastically on the iphone so I have no intention of moving.

I use the same. What I use iCloud for (I am running the iOS 5 GM) is for the backups that happen when you normally sync with itunes... I want the backup of all my apps, settings and photos in the cloud rather than on my computer - I never liked the fact that iDevices were tied to computers in that way and neither did Apple.

I believe there is some confusion about people's itunes store account and their me/icloud account. Mine are NOT THE SAME. At first, it annoyed me but now that I see how it works I am glad and let me explain why. My wife, daughter and I share my itunes store account, so whatever we buy we share among devices, it makes it easier and cheaper. So, with my itunes store account and my icloud/me account sign ins being different, we can continue to share the itunes store account but each have separate icloud accounts for backups, storage and photostream. Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[dccorona]

I’m I correct in thinking iCloud’s primary purpose is to sync data (contacts, email, photos )between multiple apple devices, i.e. mac,iphone,ipad?

If so does iCloud offer any other benefits to single device users such as myself who just owns an iphone or should I just turn it off?

Thanks

if you so choose, iCloud will become your new primary email. Also, just like mobile me, there will be a sync panel for windows, so if you have a computer (im assuming if you have an iPhone you have a computer), you can use icloud to keep photos, contacts, etc in sync. You will also be able to have your phone backup to the cloud, ensuring no matter what you wont lose your data (if you also backup to your PC, so you have one stored locally and one in the cloud).

 

[aziatiklover]

What happens to the find my iPhone app? Does it carry over to icloud? I want to register my phone to find my iPhone so should I wait till icloud is out or do you still register it via mobile me?

Yea find my iPhone will be available. Anyways, find my iphone/ipad/ipod already works with your apple ID!

 

[The Game 161]

Yea find my iPhone will be available. Anyways, find my iphone/ipad/ipod already works with your apple ID!

Yeah but I would have to create a mobile me account to have it on here

Do I wait till icloud is out to register it or does it just go through mobile me even after icloud is out?

 

[reck]

I believe there is some confusion about people's itunes store account and their me/icloud account. Mine are NOT THE SAME. At first, it annoyed me but now that I see how it works I am glad and let me explain why. My wife, daughter and I share my itunes store account, so whatever we buy we share among devices, it makes it easier and cheaper. So, with my itunes store account and my icloud/me account sign ins being different, we can continue to share the itunes store account but each have separate icloud accounts for backups, storage and photostream. Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Ohh that sounds good. My family do the same, share an itunes store account. It's good that you can have a separate icloud account for the reasons you mention.