Developer(s) | Apple Inc. |
---|---|
Initial release | October 12, 2011 |
Stable release |
6.1.1 / January 26, 2017
|
Development status | Active |
Written in | JavaScript (through Sproutcore framework) |
Operating system |
macOS (10.7 Lion & Later) Microsoft Windows 7 or later iOS 5 or later |
Available in | Multilingual |
Type | Online backup service |
License | Freeware |
Website | www |
iCloud is a cloud storage and cloud computing service from Apple Inc. launched on October 12, 2011. As of February 2016[update], the service had 782 million users.
The service provides its users with means to store data such as documents, photos, and music on remote servers for download to iOS, Macintosh or Windows devices, to share and send data to other users, and to manage their Apple devices if lost or stolen.
The service also provides the means to wirelessly back up iOS devices directly to iCloud, instead of being reliant on manual backups to a host Mac or Windows computer using iTunes. Service users are also able to share photos, music, and games instantly by linking accounts via AirDrop wireless.
It replaced Apple's MobileMe service, acting as a data syncing center for email, contacts, calendars, bookmarks, notes, reminders (to-do lists), iWork documents, photos and other data.
One of Apple's iCloud data centers is located in Maiden, North Carolina, US.
Beginning in 2011, iCloud is based on Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure (Apple iOS Security white paper published in 2014, Apple acknowledged that encrypted iOS files are stored in Amazon S3 and Microsoft Azure). In 2016, Apple signed a deal with Google to use Google Cloud Platform for some iCloud services.
In October 2016, Bloomberg reported that Apple was working on project Pie which aims to improve the Speed and Experience of Apple's online services by being operated more directly by Apple. Also it was reported that Apple was going to relocate all of its services employees to the Apple Campus (1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, California), as many other employees would be moving to the Apple Campus 2.