iCloud - One of the Most Marvelous Features of iOS 5

Out of the 200 features that came with iOS 5, some of them were absolutely fabulous and dazzled people with their functions. The end users embraced all of them but, among those several features, there was one marvelous feature that delighted the users. Apple termed it iCloud, and its main function was to automatically integrate all the Apple devices. A user just needed to set up this feature on all his Apple devices, and the rest of the work was done by this service. Users rejoiced iCloud because it effortlessly coalesced the content of the users on all Apple devices so that the users stay up to date with their content on any Apple device. However, if one wants to get the maximum benefits from iCloud, then the person must understand what iCloud actually is, what it does and how it works. So, let's start with its brief introduction. What is iCloud? In Wikipedia, iCloud is defined as 'a cloud storage and cloud computing service from Apple Inc. that enables users to store data on remote computer for download to the iOS 5 enabled devices. This service can also be used for personal computers that run on OS X. It replaced Apple's MobileMe, which was a subscription-based collection of online services and software. It acts as a data sync center for important applications like contacts, emails, notes, to-do lists, documents and iTunes. This service has more than 150 million users, and this figure is enough to state its popularity. What it Do? The main function of iCloud is to seamlessly integrate your apps across all your Apple devices so that you can access your content on any device, anytime and anywhere. It is synced with the major services and applications like iTunes, Photo Stream, documents, all the applications on your Apple device, iBooks, calendars, mails, contacts, and Find my iPhone. Apart from seamless integration, iCloud also saves your day by providing you with Backup and Restore service. When you need to restore information, iCloud does this work for you by backing up your information daily over Wi-Fi. Suppose, you are attending Annual Day function at your child's school, and you click some cool snaps on your iPhone, iCloud automatically updates those photos on your iPad and iPod Touch. So, even if your wife isn't able to attend the function, she's able to see the photos on the iPad as soon as they are clicked and uploaded on your iPhone. So, you take a picture here, and it shows up there. In the same way, if you start a project at your office, you can update its details and related documents on your other Apple devices. So, you can start a project at one place, and you can pick it up anytime, anywhere right from the point where you left it. In short, you make a change on one device, and it gets updated on all other. How to get it up and Running? In order to make your iCloud active and use its functions, you need to follow the given steps: • The first priority of iCloud is an iOS 5 device. • Next, activate your device and set up iCloud on it with the help of the setup assistant. If you want to skip the setup process, then you just need to select iCloud from the Settings icon and then enter your Apple ID. • After you're done with activation, you need to customize your settings. Select iCloud from your Settings icon, and tap the On/Off switch to enable iCloud services. You can turn on the iCloud Backup by tapping iCloud Storage and Backup. • To get automatic download of your apps and books, enable the automatic downloads in the Store settings. • In order to avail the best services of iCloud, set it up on all your Apple devices. With iCloud, content sharing is done automatically, effortlessly and wirelessly. With iCloud, it's like your entire applications move along with you, and you can have all your favorite apps exactly where you want them. This service of Apple has proved to be very beneficial for users, as well as for iOS apps programmers. While the users are saved from the hassle of making updates on individual devices, iOS programmers are saved from the daunting task of uploading the minute changes that they make in their applications.