Neil HughesThe well-sourced Jim Dalrymple at The Loop reported Monday that he believes Apple's new MobileMe will allow cloud syncing and sharing of content, but the actual storage will be hosted on individual users' computers. That runs contrary to some reports which have speculated that Apple will host the files on its own servers — an approach that he called "a bit much."
"Instead of trying to provide everyone with cloud storage, I believe Apple will use MobileMe as the brain of the cloud service," he said. "The actual storage will be on our individual machines. In effect, in the cloud."
He said the system would allow for every song in a user's library to be listed on an iPhone, though only some of them would be saved locally and others would be downloaded from a user's home PC or Mac via iTunes. A similar approach was detailed in a patent application uncovered last week by AppleInsider, which described seamlessly merging cloud content with locally stored files into one library.
"I also believe that MobileMe will be more than about media," he said. "You will also be able to share and sync files and documents in much the same way. If there is a document on your home system that you need, it will always be available to you. Tap on it, and it downloads to your iPhone or iPad."
He also suggested that the service would sync contacts, calendars and other data, and would be compatible with Macs, the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Windows PCs.
Dalrymple's take is in response to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, which claimed that Apple is looking to revamp MobileMe and make the service serve as a "locker" for content such as music, photos and videos. That approach would "eliminate the need for devices to carry a lot of memory."
The Journal also suggested that MobileMe could become free, a scenario Dalrymple said he believes won't happen. "We may see parts of MobileMe be free," he said, "but there still could be a charge for the main parts of the service."
William Gallagher
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Wesley Hilliard
Christine McKee
77 Comments
What a dumb idea. Where do these people dream up such foolish rumors?
If it's stored on my own computer, then there's no value. The whole point of MobileMe is that I want access to my data when my computer is turned off.
If it's stored on someone else's computer, there are massive privacy concerns.
Dumb idea - never going to happen.
What a dumb idea. Where do these people dream up such foolish rumors? Dumb idea - never going to happen.
Agreed. It's a backwards model. Apple best stop messing around before Google eats their lunch. A free mobile me service with storage is the only way to sell millions of these things. Anyone who thinks this iPhone nano will be $200 is dreaming. I'd say it'll be free on a mobile hotspot-like contract or otherwise $300 as a simple top-up/pre-pay phone. I have a funny feeling this phone could be a mega-hit if Apple gets it right. It could be the phone of choice for teens, worldwide. A 3" screen sounds like the way to go. The iPhone would remain Apple's premium, business person, adult consumer, grown-up Smartphone.
As for an App Store and on-board Flash storage - iPhone nano will get both.
I just want iDisk to actually work... I watch it spin it's little wheel of death when I haven't changed anything all day... then go back to using my free DropBox account.... but, soon I will need to decide where to spend my $100 a year, and DropBox 'just works'.
This sounds awful coming from a rumors site, but when Steve introduces it and Apple sugar coats it everyone will love it. That's why Apple is always one step ahead of everyone. I can see then Google trying to copy this.
The well-sourced Jim Dalrymple at The Loop reported Monday that he believes Apple's new MobileMe will allow cloud syncing and sharing of content, but the actual storage will be hosted on individual users' computers. That runs contrary to some reports which have speculated that Apple will host the files on its own servers -- an approach that he called "a bit much."
Is this not exactly what apple is offering at the moment?
"Instead of trying to provide everyone with cloud storage, I believe Apple will use MobileMe as the brain of the cloud service," he said. "The actual storage will be on our individual machines. In effect, in the cloud."
What will be in the cloud when the machines are turned of that hold the actual data?
He said the system would allow for every song in a user's library to be listed on an iPhone, though only some of them would be saved locally and others would be downloaded from a user's home PC or Mac via iTunes. A similar approach was detailed in a patent application uncovered last week by AppleInsider, which described seamlessly merging cloud content with locally stored files into one library.
Who is going to setup the technical side of this in a secure way? Apple?
"I also believe that MobileMe will be more than about media," he said. "You will also be able to share and sync files and documents in much the same way. If there is a document on your home system that you need, it will always be available to you. Tap on it, and it downloads to your iPhone or iPad."
He also suggested that the service would sync contacts, calendars and other data, and would be compatible with Macs, the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Windows PCs.
99% if not all is already existing...
Dalrymple's take is in response to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, which claimed that Apple is looking to revamp MobileMe and make the service serve as a "locker" for content such as music, photos and videos. That approach would "eliminate the need for devices to carry a lot of memory."
The Journal also suggested that MobileMe could become free, a scenario Dalrymple said he believes won't happen. "We may see parts of MobileMe be free," he said, "but there still could be a charge for the main parts of the service."
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
[/QUOTE]