Apple launches iCloud

Apple has launched iCloud, a set of free cloud services designed to automatically and wirelessly store and synchronise personal data across a range of devices.

The firm's CEO, Steve Jobs, returned from medical leave to announce the launch at Apple's annual developers' conference yesterday.

Jobs said: "Today it is a real hassle and very frustrating to keep all your information and content up-to-date across all your devices. iCloud keeps your important information and content up to date across all your devices. All of this happens automatically and wirelessly, and because it's integrated into our apps you don't even need to think about it – it all just works."

Forrester vice president and principal analyst Frank Gillett wrote on his blog that the iCloud is part of a growing trend towards the personal cloud.

"A new computing experience is emerging, based on the personal cloud concept, that will redefine the computing experience around a user's personal and work information, so that it's seamlessly accessible across all of an individual's devices."

Gillett added that Apple has pulled ahead of rival firms Microsoft and Google in this market.

"Apple is leading Google on personal cloud innovation, while Microsoft, despite many assets, lags. Apple is innovating on a par with the most notable startups in the personal cloud space, such as Dropbox, Box.net, and Evernote. We expect Amazon, Facebook, and other major players to pursue personal cloud strategies."

Apple currently allows up to 5GB of user data to be uploaded to the iCloud. This data will be stored across Apple's three datacentres in the US.