Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
iCloud Compatibility
Here's a quick list of the devices that support iCloud:
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iPhone 3G S, 4, 4S, and 5 running iOS 5 or later.
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All iPads running iOS 5 or later.
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Third-generation (late-2010 model) or later iPod Touch running iOS 5 or later.
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Any Mac running OS X 10.7 Lion (with the 10.7.4 or later update installed) or
OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, with iTunes 10.6 or later.
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Any Windows PC running Windows Vista (with Service Pack 2 or later), 7, or
8, with iTunes 10.6 or later and the iCloud control panel.
Do You Need to Buy Storage?
By default, you are provided with 5GB of storage space when you sign up for an iCloud account.
This storage isn't quite like other online storage services such as Dropbox or Apple's now-defunct
iDisk, because you can't directly access the storage folder. iCloud Storage is simply a space online
where documents you save in iCloud-compatible apps, mail data, and backups from your iOS devices
are stored and accessed by their respective apps. Other downloads you may make, such as apps,
movies, music, and books, as well as shared photos via Photo Stream, are not stored in the same
space so you don't have to worry about using up your allocated storage.
The free 5GB allotment should be sufficient for most users, but heavy e-mail use and storing
multiple documents in the cloud may begin to fill up your iCloud Storage allowance. My advice is to
use the initial amount until you are warned you are nearing your limit. Most people may never re-
ceive this warning but if you do, there are other options available. For an additional $20 per year, you
can buy an additional 10GB to use on top of your default 5GB (so you get 15GB). For $40 per year,
you receive an additional 20GB, and for $100 you get a 50GB boost in storage. iCloud Storage can be
purchased in the iCloud section of the iOS Settings app (see Figure 1-2), on a Mac via the iCloud sys-
tem preference, or on a PC via the iCloud control panel. Unless you have a seriously pressing need for
more iCloud space and already have an account to upgrade, let's move on to more of the basics. I'll
come back to how to upgrade and manage your storage later in the topic.
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