Apple has launched a beta version of its iCloud website for developers, and announced pricing for those who want to store more than 5 gigabytes of data. For those who use up to that amount, the service — expected to launch for real in September — is free.
If you want more than 5 GB, this is what it will cost:
- 10 GB for $20 a year
- 20 GB for $40 a year
- 50 GB for $100 a year
How do those prices compare to well-known current cloud services such as Drop Box and SugarSync?
Dropbox gives users up to 2 GB of storage for free; if you want 50 GB, it's $99 a year. SugarSync gives users up to 5 GB of storage at no cost; for 30 GB, it's $49.99; 60 GB, $99.99.
"It should be noted that Dropbox is the only truly cross-platform service," said 9 to5 Mac, which compared the services. "Dropbox provides a desktop client for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux and utilizes a clever file handling mechanism which takes care of translating file and meta data differences among platforms."
For those who want to take a peek at what iCloud apps — including email, contacts and calendar and productivity suite iWork — will look like, both 9 to 5 Mac and AppleInsider have published some screenshots.
The iCloud service will take the place of Apple's MobileMe, which will be shuttered at the end of next June. It has cost $99 a year for 20 GB of storage.
Related stories:
- Apple gives more MobileMe/iCloud details
- Q&A: iCloud, iOS 5 and more Apple chatter
- More details about iCloud: $25 annually, Apple revenue sharing
- MobileMe runs till June 2012 - refunds available
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