| Title Page | Introduction | Background | Potential Benefits | Security | Conclusion | Bibliography |
After using research to find out what cloud computing was and how it can make my life easier I wanted to know the benefits of using Apple's iCloud instead of the other companies such as Microsoft or Google. According to Greg Notess' article, Cloud Storage and Synchronization: Information Management Tools, "...it [iCloud] provides 5GB of free storage. For those fully ensconced in the Apple universe and just syncing between a Mac, iPad, iPhone, and other iDevices, iCloud can work well"(Notess, 2012, pg.2). Apple's iCloud is the leading competitor in holding the most gigabytes. Unlike Apple the other cloud computing programs can only hold up to three or four gigabytes.
Although storage space and capacity are a huge benefit for iCloud there are also other factors that contribute, one being the reduction in cost. Venters and Whitley state that, "...for large companies, who have already undertaken extensive consolidation of their existing infrastructures, the cost savings associated with moving to the cloud may be significantly lower"(Venters & Whitley, 2012, pg. 3). Because there is more storage space and less of a cost, I deem this cloud service to be beneficial.
Along with the benefits there are also disadvantages to using Apple's iCloud. One being that if you have iCloud you can only sync information from your other Apple devices. For instance one cannot use a PC computer and an iPad and intend to sync them through iCloud because the PC computer is not compatible. Kevin Fitchard wrote, is Apple's Success Now a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy? Or will the Cloud Break the Grasp?, and stated, "iOS content can only be used on iOS devices, so the more money a customer invests in the iTunes App Store, the more likely they'll remain an Apple customer as they buy new phones, tablets and even PC's in the future"(Fitchard, 2011, pg. 1). Although some may not see this as a disadvantage others may mainly because of the inconvenience of having to buy new computers or tablets to continue their iCloud connection through Apple.