Enable Wi-Fi sync in iTunes
Part of the joy of using iCloud with your
iOS device, whichever one you have, is the ability to keep all your data in
sync without ever having to physically connect your device to your computer
again. By default this option is not enabled though – you have to tick the box
in iTunes first when you’re physically connecting your iOS device.
Enable Wi-Fi sync in iTunes
Login to iCloud.com
Login to iCloud.com
Some of you iCloud data can be accessed
through the web portal at www.iCloud.com. Enter your Apple ID and
password to log in, and you’ll see that Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Find my
iPhone and iWork documents can be accessed in the cloud. The Mail application
is actually a fully fledged email client that looks like a desktop app.
Get the iCloud Control Panel
Get the iCloud Control Panel
As well as being able to access iCloud
through your iOS devices themselves, and the web interface, there’s also a
desktop application for your Windows computer that makes it a bit easier to see
exactly what’s going on. Download the Control Panel from http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1445.
Run the installer and then sign in using your Apple ID.
Sync files
Sync files
When the installation has completed, you’ll
be presented with the iCloud Control Panel window. This shows your account
details on the left and what files can be synced with iCloud on the right.
Mail, Contacts and Calendars & Tasks will sync with your default desktop
client for these – possibly Office Outlook if you have Microsoft Office
installed.
Sync bookmarks
Sync bookmarks
To synchronise your web browser’s bookmarks
withiCloud, and your iOS devices, you need to tick the ‘Bookmarks, option next
to the Safari icon. Once you’ve done this, you’ll then be asked if want to
merge your bookmarks withiCloud. Choose ‘Merge…’ If you then choose ‘Options…’
you can choose a browser from which to merge bookmark data.
Sync Photo Stream
Sync Photo Stream
Photo Stream is one if iCloud’s best
features, enabling you to take a photo on your iphone, for example, and then
view it on your iPad or desktop computer just seconds later. It can also sync
with a particular folder on your computer if you wish. Just choose ‘Options…’
then navigate to the photo folder that you want to sync with.
Manage iCloud
Manage iCloud
With iCloud, you automatically get 5GB free
storage, and you should find that’s plenty of room, because of the way iCloud
stores, your content. Your purchased music, apps, books, movies and you Photo
Stream don’t count against your free storage. But if you do need more – for a
large email inbox for example – click on ‘Manage’ > ‘Buy More Storage…’
Access iCloud again
Access iCloud again
You’ve managed to synchronise all your data
to iCloud but bizarrely you won’t find the iCloud Control Panel listed under
All Programs. When you want to open it again, you’ll need to right-click on the
taskbar icon and choose ‘Open iCloud Control Panel’. Alternatively you can go
to ‘Control Panel’ > ‘Network and Internet’ > ‘iCloud’.
