What are the reasons to use @iCloud email rather than gmail or another service?

[DramaLLama]

Other than being all inside the Apple ecosystem, what does @iCloud provide that others don't? It seems like I would be at a DISADVANTAGE if I used an @iCloud email address because from what I understand, those emails all count towards the free 5GB iCloud storage quota. So what gives?

 

[Alrescha]

I use iCloud as a destination for my various mail forwarders. I like it because I get push notification of new email no matter what device (iPhone, iPad, Macbook, etc) that I might be near.

I do not store any email in iCloud on a long-term basis, it gets moved to an appropriate folder on my Macbook.

I do not use gmail as I am uncomfortable with the idea that their raison d'être is to collect information about me in order to either 1) push ads in my face, or 2) sell it to third parties.

A.

 

[impaler]

iCloud email does count toward your storage limit.

The primary advantages I've seen for iCloud versus other providers are:
- push email on Mac and iOS devices
- Checkbox set up on OS X and iOS (better integration with Apple hardware)
- True IMAP solution (folders vice labels) - others could see this as a disadvantage and I'd understand
- Integration across the web and client side for contacts
- Can be configured on any IMAP client on any platform (Android, Windows, Linux, etc)
-
- If you like the domain (I still use my xxx@mac.com address from years ago) - also have XXX@me.com and xxx@icloud.com
- Web site is pretty simple and clean
- No ads
- Use of aliases to hide your primary address for online stuff

There are disadvantages as well:
- Silent filtering of emails occasionally means you may never receive/be able to send...the forums are full of these discussions
- Lack of robust filters on the web side, lack of consistency (i.e. Mail on OS X has robust filtering, but is client based; no filters for iOS)
- Mailbox counts are not synched, until a push/pull is done for new emails. This is by design, IMHO...Gmail app for iOS, does sync read/unread, but keeps a persistent connection - which can have a battery impact.
- 5GB storage limit, including everything else (I pay $40/year for 25GB, so not an issue, as I only keep about 1GB of mail).

I will say, what one person may see as a plus, another may see as a minus. These are the big ones off the top of my head.

 

[satcomer]

Other than being all inside the Apple ecosystem, what does @iCloud provide that others don't? It seems like I would be at a DISADVANTAGE if I used an @iCloud email address because from what I understand, those emails all count towards the free 5GB iCloud storage quota. So what gives?

If you go to Apple - My Apple ID log into it and add an email alias that want to use. This way you can have any email @whatever you want.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

iCloud:
- true IMAP solution
- better security/backups than Gmail
- no ads
- easy setup on Apple devices
- easy setup on non-Apple devices
- push email on Apple devices
- disposable aliases
- easy access no matter what device/OS
- optimized for mobile and won't drain battery like Gmail does

I don't use Gmail or any Google services because they want to shove ads in my face and I don't even have the option to pay to get rid of them. They also are hypocrites (don't be evil... unless you're Google). Gmail is not standard/plain IMAP. I put up with them until the day they emptied both of my Gmail accounts without any reason. The one time I accidentally deleted an email from iCloud/MobileMe, Apple Support reverted my account to a backup within 5 minutes. Google? I was basically told "sucks for you". How can you do business with random server issues that empty your entire account, no support at all, ads everywhere... it's just not professional. It just does't work. Apple/iCloud? It just works. Period. No addendum. No corollary. Just plain works.

 

[DramaLLama]

iCloud:
- true IMAP solution
- better security/backups than Gmail
- no ads
- easy setup on Apple devices
- easy setup on non-Apple devices
- push email on Apple devices
- disposable aliases
- easy access no matter what device/OS
- optimized for mobile and won't drain battery like Gmail does

I don't use Gmail or any Google services because they want to shove ads in my face and I don't even have the option to pay to get rid of them. They also are hypocrites (don't be evil... unless you're Google). Gmail is not standard/plain IMAP. I put up with them until the day they emptied both of my Gmail accounts without any reason. The one time I accidentally deleted an email from iCloud/MobileMe, Apple Support reverted my account to a backup within 5 minutes. Google? I was basically told "sucks for you". How can you do business with random server issues that empty your entire account, no support at all, ads everywhere... it's just not professional. It just does't work. Apple/iCloud? It just works. Period. No addendum. No corollary. Just plain works.

Outlook.com does all of what iCloud does from what I can tell. Except doesn't count towards your iCloud storage quota and has better spam filtering.

 

[campyguy]

I use iCloud email despite having an Outlook.com email account. Outlook has ads - which I despise - and so-so spam filtering. I have had spam messages when I log into my Outlook.com account from a browser - MS seems to always enable IM and I get "friend" invites from prostitutes and hackers while logged in. I went all-in with iCloud while MS was figuring out how to enable IMAP in Live/Outlook.com. Apple had "alias" support well before MS did. iCloud is my primary, Outlook.com is an afterthought for me - and I use both an Exchange Server and Office 365 for my small business.

I haven't had the courage to upload my contacts to my Outlook.com.

iCloud has ad-free email, 2.1/3.0 vCard compatibility, better CalDAV support. QED for me.

 

[richwoodrocket]

iCloud had push. That's why I use icloud mail. I have my gmail set up to forward to iCloud and then I get push gmail.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

Outlook.com does all of what iCloud does from what I can tell. Except doesn't count towards your iCloud storage quota and has better spam filtering.

Microsoft looks at your emails? I don't know what Apple's policy is exactly towards that. I did read about their privacy policy with iMessage, while a different service, does say a bit about the company's general values.

 

[Primejimbo]

Outlook.com does all of what iCloud does from what I can tell. Except doesn't count towards your iCloud storage quota and has better spam filtering.

I use iCloud email despite having an Outlook.com email account. Outlook has ads - which I despise - and so-so spam filtering. I have had spam messages when I log into my Outlook.com account from a browser - MS seems to always enable IM and I get "friend" invites from prostitutes and hackers while logged in. I went all-in with iCloud while MS was figuring out how to enable IMAP in Live/Outlook.com. Apple had "alias" support well before MS did. iCloud is my primary, Outlook.com is an afterthought for me - and I use both an Exchange Server and Office 365 for my small business.

I haven't had the courage to upload my contacts to my Outlook.com.

iCloud has ad-free email, 2.1/3.0 vCard compatibility, better CalDAV support. QED for me.

I have outlook for anything that needs more security due to the 2 step verification, and now a days that is almost a must have feature. My iCloud is for friends and family to email me on. I wish iCloud would use the 2 step verification, and a way to make my iTunes user name my iCloud email address.

I love outlooks web page too and the adds don't bother me and I get very little spam on it too. I haven't see any of the issues "friend" invites also, and my IM is never on as well. Maybe a setting?

Don't get me wrong, I love iCloud web also. Very clean and easy to read, but one thing I do hate is I can't go on iCloud.com from my iPad. I wish I could because you can do so much with the settings on iCloud.com

iCloud:
- true IMAP solution
- better security/backups than Gmail
- no ads
- easy setup on Apple devices
- easy setup on non-Apple devices
- push email on Apple devices
- disposable aliases
- easy access no matter what device/OS
- optimized for mobile and won't drain battery like Gmail does

I don't use Gmail or any Google services because they want to shove ads in my face and I don't even have the option to pay to get rid of them. They also are hypocrites (don't be evil... unless you're Google). Gmail is not standard/plain IMAP. I put up with them until the day they emptied both of my Gmail accounts without any reason. The one time I accidentally deleted an email from iCloud/MobileMe, Apple Support reverted my account to a backup within 5 minutes. Google? I was basically told "sucks for you". How can you do business with random server issues that empty your entire account, no support at all, ads everywhere... it's just not professional. It just does't work. Apple/iCloud? It just works. Period. No addendum. No corollary. Just plain works.

Sorry, apple doesn't have better security and I can set up my outlook on many thing also. Both gmail and outlook offer 2 step verification where Apple does not for iCloud, but just offer it for iTunes. Now unless this changes, I don't think you can have an iCloud working on an non-apple product easily with contacts and calendar as well. About a year ago I was looking at a Windows phone and you can't set up contacts from iCloud to work on it, again unless it change.

Again, I love iCloud, but they still have a long way to go. They need support for non-apple stuff, accessing iCloud.com from iOS and not force to use apps only, better security, and a way to use my iCloud as my iTunes log in. Until then I will keep using iCloud and outlook and I am fine with it.

 

[Alrescha]

I have outlook for anything that needs more security due to the 2 step verification, and now a days that is almost a must have feature.

I agree, two-factor authentication is a good thing, and am glad my Apple ID has it. Would I want to go through such a process just to read my new mail? No. Am I glad to have it for account maintenance and password changes? You bet.

A.

Addendum: iCloud two step verification: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14668

 

[Primejimbo]

I agree, two-factor authentication is a good thing, and am glad my Apple ID has it. Would I want to go through such a process just to read my new mail? No. Am I glad to have it for account maintenance and password changes? You bet.

A.

Addendum: iCloud two step verification: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14668

You don't need to put in the 2 step verification every time you read an email, there is an option "frequently access the computer" so you check that and don't have to use it for that computer, iPad, or whatever.

That link is just for iTunes like I said so and not to access your iCloud account for emails and stuff.

 

[Alrescha]

That link is just for iTunes like I said so and not to access your iCloud account for emails and stuff.

It's for your Apple ID account management, not just for iTunes. I would not want to be nagged just to check my mail, like I said.

A.

 

[Primejimbo]

It's for your Apple ID account management, not just for iTunes. I would not want to be nagged just to check my mail, like I said.

A.

It's for iTunes/iTunes management/Apple ID.. same thing. I want it for iCloud.com and I want it because too much important stuff is attached to email now a days. The only time I ever use the 2 step verification is on my work computer, other than that, my iPad, iPhone, and personal Mac I don't need it to check my email.

 

[DramaLLama]

For you guys that use the @icloud domain.. did you get a good address? I was able to get my firstlastname@outlook.com but not for iCloud back when I originally signed up which was who knows when years ago

 

[campyguy]

I love outlooks web page too and the adds don't bother me and I get very little spam on it too. I haven't see any of the issues "friend" invites also, and my IM is never on as well. Maybe a setting?

Whenever signing into Outlook.com via its webmail, one's automatically signed in to instant messaging. Many, many threads like this one are on MS's forums portal:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...n/4e0f227a-b44e-42fb-8565-32164816a2b7?page=1

I recently bought Win 8.1 and now check my Outlook.com email that way - no ads, no IM sign-in. When I sign in via the web portal, I rarely go more than 15 minutes before getting a "friend" request from a hooker or hacker - several of my friends get the same requests. Maybe you're just not that popular (which is a good thing!)?

 

[Primejimbo]

Whenever signing into Outlook.com via its webmail, one's automatically signed in to instant messaging. Many, many threads like this one are on MS's forums portal:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...n/4e0f227a-b44e-42fb-8565-32164816a2b7?page=1

I recently bought Win 8.1 and now check my Outlook.com email that way - no ads, no IM sign-in. When I sign in via the web portal, I rarely go more than 15 minutes before getting a "friend" request from a hooker or hacker - several of my friends get the same requests. Maybe you're just not that popular (which is a good thing!)?

Thanks for the link, and I checked mine and it's invisible and I didn't change anything. For the heck of it I looked at the messenger part with Skype and it's showing me I need to make an account or use my outlook info, so maybe that's the difference?

 

[campyguy]

Thanks for the link, and I checked mine and it's invisible and I didn't change anything. For the heck of it I looked at the messenger part with Skype and it's showing me I need to make an account or use my outlook info, so maybe that's the difference?

You're welcome, and it's not Skype for me - I don't use it and never have. The mystery for me continues...

 

[exi]

iCloud email does count toward your storage limit.

The primary advantages I've seen for iCloud versus other providers are:
- push email on Mac and iOS devices
- Checkbox set up on OS X and iOS (better integration with Apple hardware)
- True IMAP solution (folders vice labels) - others could see this as a disadvantage and I'd understand
- Integration across the web and client side for contacts
- Can be configured on any IMAP client on any platform (Android, Windows, Linux, etc)
-
- If you like the domain (I still use my xxx@mac.com address from years ago) - also have XXX@me.com and xxx@icloud.com
- Web site is pretty simple and clean
- No ads
- Use of aliases to hide your primary address for online stuff

There are disadvantages as well:
- Silent filtering of emails occasionally means you may never receive/be able to send...the forums are full of these discussions
- Lack of robust filters on the web side, lack of consistency (i.e. Mail on OS X has robust filtering, but is client based; no filters for iOS)
- Mailbox counts are not synched, until a push/pull is done for new emails. This is by design, IMHO...Gmail app for iOS, does sync read/unread, but keeps a persistent connection - which can have a battery impact.
- 5GB storage limit, including everything else (I pay $40/year for 25GB, so not an issue, as I only keep about 1GB of mail).

I will say, what one person may see as a plus, another may see as a minus. These are the big ones off the top of my head.

I realize this is a few days' bump, but I thought it was a good discussion. This post summarizes things well.

I went from Gmail for years to iCloud for the uniformity and robust device support. The silent email filtering bit is what gets me -- of course, not that I would necessarily know it kept me from successfully sending/receiving an email. Nobody really knows how big a problem this is in reality or whether other services have the same problem every rare once in a while.

Really just a matter of whether those disadvantages are enough to keep you away.

For discussion's sake, is anyone here a former iCloud user who left, and if so, why?

 

[bgro]

The only thing I can't stand about iCloud mail is the lack of threaded mail in the web app. I wish they made it how it looks on the Mail app on the iPhone and the Mac. Really annoying. Otherwise, I like it.

 

[vtstarck]

The only thing I can't stand about iCloud mail is the lack of threaded mail in the web app. I wish they made it how it looks on the Mail app on the iPhone and the Mac. Really annoying. Otherwise, I like it.

This x1000000

 

[exi]

The silent filtering / reliability bit is the biggest thing that has be considering a return to Gmail from time to time even though I've not had a (known) problem with iCloud mail. That, and no push support unless using Gmail's app, if I remember correctly.

 

[pedromcm.pm]

Other than being all inside the Apple ecosystem, what does @iCloud provide that others don't? It seems like I would be at a DISADVANTAGE if I used an @iCloud email address because from what I understand, those emails all count towards the free 5GB iCloud storage quota. So what gives?

Well, it just plays nicely with the ecosystem, as you say. I forward my university and gmail email to iCloud, and it works great.

My goal is to go deep in the ecosystem when I buy my next phone, but for now, with my Android device iCloud works awesomely great, even better than gmail.

The mailbox app (from dropbox) is fantastic and gives you extra dropbox storage. Of course, since I use more than one plataform, dropbox is fulcral and works great with OSX (iphoto support, print screen support, great management, mailbox for Android, carousel for Android), and this makes the whole Google ecosystem useless for me, so I wanted to cut gmail, the last piece and now use iCloud.

 

[robgendreau]

Reasons? It's free, sorta, if you own an Apple product and works OK.

But you get what you pay for. Anyone who needs business services, a domain, etc is better served with something you pay for. You can get custom forwarding, aliases, more storage, server side services that aren't available for iCloud, and other stuff. But hey, it's freebie for lightweight use so if you can get along with it, why not? Without knowing your needs only you know, but odds are if you're asking, it's a decent place to start.