iCloud bringing more to the table – further blurs lines between browser, desktop, and application

• Mike Norris

• May 12, 2009 1:03 pm

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Since broadband has taken off here in the states (mostly) as well as the rest of the world, people, especially those with older machines that are having a not so easy time keeping up with the increasing demands placed upon them, have started started focusing their attention on cloud services. Of course there is Apple’s paid MobileMe service which is decent, there is Microsoft’s LiveMesh, Google of course has their own venture and host of services to brag about, and today iCloud, founded by Daniel Arthursson and funded by parent company Xcerion, can themselves brag a little louder with the announcement and release of some much improved features.

iCloud may sound like an Apple product, but in reality it isn’t. Better yet, it is a completely 100% free online service – big plus! There are no worries of having to part with your hard earned money in order to enjoy cloud services such as online file hosting/sharing, email, and much more. iCloud is more like an online operating system rather than a “website” or portal. With several new and still exciting older features, iCloud is a force to be reckoned with. The features include:

• 3 GB free storage space to safely store documents, photos and music online

• 50 free applications and widgets such as Office, Mail, Music, Video, IM, Sharing, Games, Collaboration and Development tools

• Public profile @ http://my.icloud.com/username

• Free email @icloud.com

• File sharing and free backup with secure storage, including WedDav

• Zero installation, icloud runs in Internet Explorer or Firefox browser (Hopefully a few more browsers gain support…*as I type this on opera*

If iCloud sounds like something you may be interested in, why not give them a try? Security nuts need not be afraid as iCloud is locked down meaning your data is safe so that no creeper eyes can spy upon it. Just point your browser over to iCloud.com, or for more info on features, iCloud.com/en/features. In the meantime, take a look at some screenshots giving you a good look at what iCloud has to offer. For the more text based individuals, check out the press release further below.

Press Release:

Get your Free Online Computer – Outside the Box – icloud Now adding File Sharing and Community to the Cloud

icloud, the world’s first free online computer, giving you the freedom of your friends, files and digital life on any computer. New launched features include; desktop + community, file sharing, publishing of files up to 150 MB and import of contacts.

Linköping, Sweden – May 12th, 2009 – icloud today unveils that it is more than an online computer; it is also a fun fast growing social community available worldwide in 18 languages. icloud shows how a desktop + community makes everyday life easier for its digital inhabitants.

Daniel Arthursson, founder of icloud says, “We see icloud as a next generation community platform, with powerful applications, sharing, group and desktop functionality beyond what people today expect from a community”.

Everyone in icloud is provided a free, secure online computer – a private space on the Internet. Within icloud is also a vibrant social community, file sharing, email, instant messaging and capabilities to publish and share contents through your public icloud profile.
3 GB free storage space to safely store documents, photos and music online
50 free applications and widgets such as Office, Mail, Music, Video, IM, Sharing, Games, Collaboration and Development tools
Public profile, http://my.icloud.com/username
Free email @icloud.com
File sharing and free backup with secure storage, including WedDav
Zero installation, icloud runs in Internet Explorer or Firefox browser
icloud is available for free, and open for sign-ups. To learn more about icloud, visit icloud.com .

About icloud
Founded in 2001 by Daniel Arthursson, Xcerion provides icloud (icloud.com), the worlds leading “Cloud OS” based on 22 pending patents. Icloud is a 2008 Red Herring Global 100 winner. Xcerion was also awarded the 2008 Frost & Sullivan European Cloud Computing Product Innovation Award.

icloud is a complete platform for sharing experiences with friends. It is secure, social and always accessible from any computer or device. Applications on icloud include office productivity, development tools, media and widgets.

Xcerion AB is based in Linkoping, Sweden, privately held and funded by Northzone Ventures.

Screenshots of icloud are available here: http://icloud.com/en/features