Make more of your iPad or iPhone with the brilliant back-up
and sync service iCloud.
iCloud is the new service for owners of
iPhone, iPads or iPod touches. It’s a back-up and sync service that’s designed
to ensure you can access your files anywhere and at any time. It works mainly
on the iOS devices themselves and through a web-based interface, but there’s
also a handy Windows desktop tool that’s been created to make managing iCloud
easier.
iCloud is much more than a hard drive in
the sky, however. It makes accessing your favourite files a painless experience
and you now no longer have to think about copying that photo or document
manually. It gives you access to you music, apps, latest photos, and more from
whichever device you happen to be using. And it keeps your email, contacts and
calendars up to date across all your devices. No syncing required, iCloud does
it all for you.
At a glance
Skill level:
Anyone can do it
Time taken
15 mins
Suitablefor
Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP
Manage iOS with iCloud
iCloud account
You can use the iCloud Control Panel for
multiple accounts, but only see one at a time. This area shows which account is
currently being used. You can sign out at the bottom of the window.
Mail, Contact, Calendars & Tasks
Your most important iCloud data comes in
the form of these three things. Just tick the items to sync with iCloud and get
the same data across all your iOS devices.
Bookmarks
iCloud makes bookmark syncing easier than
ever and by choosing ‘Options…’ you can select a desktop browser to sync with.
Photo Stream
You can use this to sync photos across all
your devices. Particularly good if you have and iPhone or iPod touch, which
have the best iOS cameras.
Storage details
This bar shows you how much of your default
5GB you have used. If you are getting close to the end, buy more by selecting a
package from the ‘Manage…’ option.
Cloud computing
It is the access and storage of data on a
server-based system away from a PC. Typically cloud computing requires a
password to access the data through a web browser.
Best tip
Quickly turn on or off what data you want
to sync to iCloud in Settings >iCloud on your iOS device.
Step-by-step Master the many ways to access iCloud
Update to iOS 5
Update to iOS 5 to use iCloud
To use iCloud you’ll need an iOS device
that’s capable of running iOS 5. If you’ve got the hardware but don’t have this
operating system yet, the update is free through iTunes. Many of the set-up
procedures take place on the device itself though, such as shown here on an
iPad. During the set-up of iOS 5 you’ll need to enter your Apple ID or set up a
new account.
Enable iCloud backup
Enable iCloud backup
Near the end of the set-up process you’ll
see the option to use iCloud with your device. Choose ‘Use iCloud’ from the
options given below the graphic. On the next screen that appears select ‘Back
up to iCloud’. This will ensure that your iOS device is backed up to iCloud
every day, as soon as it is connected to a wireless network.
