You might also be interested in
Replies (10)
Please login or register to join the discussion.
Cloud computing
With the advent of official release of Microsoft's Cloud version of Office, Office 365 on 28th June 2011
Is this the beginning of the demise of hard drives in personal computers?
Exciting times ahead for fellow advocates of the cloud.
Dalbir
More than meets the eye
About the most prescient commentary I've heard this week says that this is Apple making a fundamental change in focus and opening a new, underserved frontier. They were arguably 4-5 years ahead of the competition with the launch of the iPhone in 2007, and now just as everyone's followed, replicated and caught up with them, they're off into a different sphere, taking their market assets with them to challenge the competition to stop, re-assess, react and try to catch-up again, and at the same time Apple is strengthening and defending their 2007-2011 market position by surrounding it with more valuable services.
If you have a spare hour, the full programme is well worth a listen http://5by5.tv/criticalpath/1.
Gary Turner
Managing Director, Xero UK
@garyturner
The power of Jobs hype .....
Apple's fourth (maybe more?) attempt to create a viable cloud computing service. Previous attempts have included
iTools in 2000 - http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2000/jan/05netstrategy.html.Mac in 2002MobileMe in 2008 - http://www.apple.com/uk/mobileme/
We all know that Jobs only has to utter something for the press to get carried away in 'fanboy' mode and whilst his devices are very good they are not the 'be all & end all' of computing
Apple are once again trying to catch up with Google (in this area) and their current nth... attempt may have eventually done this; nevertheless a number of others have not needed to make umpteen attempts to achieve their goal
From a pre-owner convert
I think all this has arisen because I have just ordered my first ever Mac!
Two weeks ago I knew next to nothing about Macs or Apple, thinking that they were designed for the creative, fluffy types and not hard nosed number-crunchers. I was with a "creative" client discussing numbers etc and she was using her MacBook and it suddenly dawned on me that it was actually a "real" computer and might even be "realer" than my Dell.
It was when she said that she converted from PC to Mac a year ago and would never go back that I started researching. My Saint Paul on the road to Croydon moment came when I put all this all together with the fact that all my "stuff" is now hosted. My MacBook Air is on it's way.
The Apple hype does worry me, especially with a kid in the far east selling a kidney to get an iPad and the guy in the Apple Store saying that half the people that buy iPads, then return to the store a week later, haven't much of an idea what they "needed" them for in the first place, ie they are a fashion item.
I also have to mention the other story from the far east of workers making these things being forced to sign non suicide agreements.
Will I be back here in a month or two to eat my words?
maybe the lightest, but not the best
I don't blame you going down the Apple route .... all you got to do is look on Amazon at other purchasers' reviews, especially those migrating from Windows. However, you have sacrificed power for weight with the MacBook Air .... and I hope that sacrifice doesn't come back to bite you. Personally I'd have gone for the Apple Macbook Pro 17inch, funds allowing, otherwise the 15 inch version of that. As it is I'm office-based, so use a iMac, and it's fantastic. I actually enjoy working! Help, I'm an accountant, and look what I just said?!?!-- KH
Thanks KH
Didn't mention that this is for me in out&about mode. Will keep work horses @ home & office, with current Dell laptop (17") replacing 8 year old PC, but as I'm spending more time at clisnts' and doing more train travel these days, and plan even more next year, I needed something lean & handy (& sexy).....did I really say that?
Hype?
@JC I get that the buzz can be a little overwhelming at times, but is it really fair to say that a business that was weeks away from going under in 1997 and is now the largest technology company in the world across several measures has gotten there on somehow illegitimately on hype?
Gary Turner
Managing Director, Xero UK
@garyturner
Buzz - but not for re-hash of existing ideas ...
@garyturner
There is definitely a buzz from new ideas, innovations etc. such as the concept of today’s Cloud/SaaS/ASP when it was introduced over a decade ago.
Unfortunately, after a number of 'mis-hits', a great fanfare over ideas that are not original and have been around for some time is simply not exiting and can surely only be classed as 'hype' - ([sic] Excessive publicity and the ensuing commotion, Exaggerated or extravagant claims made especially in advertising or promotional material, An advertising or promotional ploy)
Yes Apple did nearly call it a day a while ago but from memory that because Jobs was not on board (fired April 1985 in a ill advised episode) and Sculley subsequently sent the company into a nose dive. Once Jobs had secured the backing of Microsoft to the tune of $150 million in 1997 Apple was back in the game
I get that Apple's not everyone's cup of tea.
But what's really notable in all this is the fact that in order to deliver these new iCloud services (whether you think that's an old idea or not), then the role of the personal computer as the central, all important, cannot live without, digital hub is being demoted; possibly completely eliminated - challenging notion that the principal port of entry for any computing experience is a box at your desk with a hard disk and a bunch of USB ports with which to connect up other devices and services.
Overall iCloud is an natural iteration as an idea and not one that Apple can stake a claim to inventing (I might have a tongue in cheek go at that myself), but they're one of the first to have the momentum, market share and capital to throw at it to stand a chance of making progress.
The fact iCloud is an internet service is not the pertinent point for me. It's what it means from a device perspective.
Gary Turner
Managing Director, Xero UK
@garyturner
Good for critical mass - but wanting in other areas ....
Yes Apple may bring critical mass to drive things forward which is a good thing, but as already pointed out device independance already exists with products such as Google Apps, Dropbox and for Apple to hype it as their own with the comment '.. iCloud represented a redefinition of Cloud computing..' is frankly ridiculous
http://microsoft-news.com/microsoft-windows-live-vs-apple-icloud/ -
Quote:
'..
Windows Live = Cloud Computing & Syncing
iCloud = Cloud Syncing
Big difference
..'
Whilst the likes of iTunes, Social Media, Kindle etc. have no need of a computer, nevertheless, there are certain applications that are simply not web based and unlikely to be in the foreseable future, which need an underlying computer. This alone shows up the crass statement '.. Apple has even dubbed it ‘PC Free’ – all you need is a WiFi network and iCloud ..' for what it is - nothing but a 'fanboy' comment that belies reality
Quite apart from the concerns
Apple isn't offering a service level agreement, or SLA, that guarantees iCloud uptime or quality of servicePirated MP3 loaded to iCloud and Apples abrogation of responsibility claiming to only be the provider and therefore not responsible
Which are interesting coming from a company which is so hot on their own proprietary products