Is iCloud Really Better Than Other Services? Not Entirely

With Apple finally unveiling its iCloud system, it’s time to compare its features with those of the competition. In most respects, Apple’s service far and ahead beats Amazon’s Cloud Player and Google’s Music Beta. However, it isn't perfect. The Good Apple reportedly spent millions to sign up music labels and publishers for its iCloud service. Therefore, it should surprise no one that in doing so, iCloud has a number of features missing on the other products. For one, iCloud’s music upload process is second to none, mainly because it doesn’t exist. According to PC Magazine, to save music onto servers owned by Amazon or Google takes a long time. In fact, depending on the size of your collection, it could take days to complete. By contrast, iCloud simply confirms you own the song and matches it with a 256 kbps AAC version it has on its servers. In other words, no uploading is necessary. Next, is the issue of what happens with music purchased elsewhere. While Amazon and Google could care less about where you’ve purchased the music you wish to upload, Apple takes a different approach. For $24.99 a year, Apple, through its iTunes Match service, will scan your local music collection and replace those with higher quality files, when applicable. Using this approach makes music makers happy and gives users an incentive to update old (or illegal) copies. The Bad For all Steve Jobs’ talk about living in a “post-PC world,” iCloud very much relies on a dedicated PC/Mac application (iTunes) to fully work. Meaning, Apple’s iCloud system is very much tied to the larger Apple ecosystem. Amazon and Google allow you to stream music from any web browser. And this includes the ability to play your music on an iPhone/iPod touch or iPad too. By contrast, Apple will have none of that. Instead, you must rely on iTunes or an iDevice to play music. Plus, this isn't streamed music. Rather to play a song it must be downloaded on an actual local device first. In the future, it would be nice to visit icloud.com and actually be able to play music. Instead, we are left with a promotional page that redirects to Apple.com. One final note has to do with pricing. At least in the short-term, expect Amazon to beat Apple on music pricing. As the "new kid on the block,” the online giant seems willing to sell songs cheaper than Apple, even if it means taking a loss. It is anyone’s guess whether this arrangement is permanent. Summary PC Magazine has provided an easy-to-read table that shows the differences between the three online music providers. Take a look: What do you think? Leave your comments below.

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