WWDC 2011: What is Apple’s iCloud and Why You’ll love it

Along with iOS 5 Apple also unveiled the iCloud service today. This will be replacing the previously existing MobileMe Service. Some of the new features introduced in iOS 5 work in conjunction with iCloud and will really give Apple a great edge over the other cellphone manufacturers in the future when both of them go live for the public this fall.

We already covered the top ten new features in iOS 5 a bit earlier, and in case you haven’t read it already I suggest you check that out as well in order to fully understand the advantage of iCloud.

What is iCloud?

iCloud stores your music, photos, apps, calendars, documents, and more. And wirelessly pushes them to all your devices ? automatically. It?s the easiest way to manage your content. Because now you don?t have to.

Why do we need iCloud?

iCloud is so much more than a hard drive in the sky. It?s the effortless way to access just about everything on all your devices. iCloud stores your content so it?s always accessible from your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Mac, or PC.

It gives you instant access to your music, apps, latest photos, and more. And it keeps your email, contacts, and calendars up to date across all your devices. No syncing required. No management required. In fact, no anything required. iCloud does it all for you.

Cost? Nothing. iCloud is Free.

When you sign up for iCloud, you automatically get 5GB of free storage. And that?s plenty of room, because of the way iCloud stores your content. Your purchased music, apps, and books, as well as your Photo Stream, don?t count against your free storage.

That leaves your mail, documents, Camera Roll, account information, settings, and other app data. And since those things don?t use as much space, you?ll find that 5GB goes a long way.

Which iOS 5 Apps work with iCloud?

We’ll be reviewing each app in detail once we have spent a little time in them. Here’s a brief list of what to expect from your iOS 5 apps when iCloud goes live.

1. iTunes in the Cloud - Download your music whenever and wherever you want it.

2. Photo Stream - Automatically download new photos to all your devices.

3. Apps, Books, Documents, and Backup - Your content. Stored, backed up, and with you wherever you are.

4. Contacts, Calendar, and Mail - iCloud keeps your info up to date, everywhere you need it.

When can you try iCloud?

Both the iCloud and iOS 5 will be rolled out to the public in the fall. The exact date hasn’t been announced yet. Developers can already download the beta version of iOS 5 now. Regular users can sign up here to be notified by Apple when iOS 5 and iCloud are about to be released.