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Dec 31, 08 - 04:01 pm Comment from: Mr. Reeee

Apple? MacWorld? Cloud?
Didn't Apple already flip MacWorld Expo the bird?

Since Apple already blew off MacWorld Expo, this seems pretty fishy, as far as rumors go.

I DO NOT want my applications and data in or on anybody else's friggin "Cloud", thank you. I want my apps and data on MY Mac, on MY desk, in MY office. Keep your goddam cloud.

Hmmm...kinda meh about this one given the MobileMe cloud experience.

Dec 31, 08 - 04:03 pm Comment from: Not Bill

How is this a good idea. A $79 dollar application becomes part of a $100 a year subscription.

Dec 31, 08 - 04:03 pm Comment from: pastrychef

I've never been big on the whole cloud thing. I hope it's not true.

I hope not. I hate "cloud" applications. Can you say SLOOOOW, can you say SECURITY/TRUST RELATIONSHIP SCREWED?

The cloud.

Cloud Computing.

SaaS (Software as a Service)

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Back in the day, straight out of high school as a matter of fact, I went to work for a company that sold Time Sharing on old HP, GE, and DEC mini computers. We sold SaaS, only back then we called it "Time Sharing." People would use dumb terminals to access our system either over dedicated lines or telephone lines.

We typically sold access to accounting systems.

Then the whole personal computer thing was "ignited by Apple" and companies discovered they'd rather have control of their own data and applications. Instead of dealing with us or in house MIS organizations, the accounting department had their own PCs.

Now here we are 30 years later talking about doing the same old thing again, pretending that it's new.

My question is, and remains, if we start offloading all these functions into the cloud, who needs a quad processor laptop? The vast majority of people are back to only needing a dumb terminal.

All your data and applications will reside with the service provider again.

Watch closely who is selling the idea of the cloud.

Cough {Microsoft} cough {IBM} cough {Google}.

Cheap devices on our end and all the intelligence and processing power resides on their end.

I for one don't look forward to the "Brave New World" of the cloud.

Been there, done that.

Dec 31, 08 - 04:08 pm Comment from: Demon

Don't think so, It's not Apple Style.

Dec 31, 08 - 04:11 pm Comment from: cptnkirk

I don't want MS or any other clown to be in charge of losing my data. I do a good job myself, thanks/

Dec 31, 08 - 04:12 pm Comment from: Demon

Maybe just maybe, mind you, Apple might offer a Mobile Me iWork version for the iPhone and iPod touch. But, iWork will stay a desktop application.

Is this optional or mandatory?

I prefer to stay independent, thank you very much!

Other than files I want to access while traveling, why would I want my office apps on the cloud?

don't like the cloud....I like clear, sunny, skies...I like to know what apps I have, know where my data is, who gets to look at it, etc. Do what I want to do with my compute cycles...that is why I bought a "microcomputer" 30 years ago.
There is no reason - from a users point of view - to take an app like iworks or office into the cloud; It makes the user too dependent on the invisible central IT in the sky - and I *run* an IT organization, so I have a bit of perspective.

It is also a quick way to make a single user issue into a 100K user issue because of some network/server failure or f**kup.

Don't worry guys, if this is true, there will be desktop & cloud apps for the user to use, both interchangeable.

Cloud apps optional for iPhones iMacTablet, iMac netbook, etc ... critical data can stay on device ... apps in clould if needed and not available on device. ok by me.

As has already been said, not Apple's style. Apple doesn't feel a need to be involved in their customers' computing after the sale has been made.

This is interesting, because, of course, it means Apple can get more ppl using Mobile Me...

And uh, being compared to MS is always flattering...

*shudder

Ah, but this stuff is SERIOUSLY being pushed in the corporate world.

I get deluged by white papers and presentations on Cloud Computing. Cloud Computing is the cover story every month on half the IT rags I get.

What it boils down to is money.

If I as an IT director can get rid of my IT staff, and all I have to do is sign up for SaaS, it is much cheaper.

You can already get most of the services you need as an organization in the cloud now.

- Accounting
- CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
- SA (Sales Automation)
- EMAIL
- Server space/Storage
- Document Management
- Virtualization
- Legal Case Management Systems

and on and on.

It really boils down to all you need being a dumb web browsing terminals.

I recently participated in a meeting with a local school district that wants to move all of their administrative functions into the cloud.

Sure, you guys and I love our powerful machines and feel that someone would have to pry them from our cold dead fingers, but what if they just die out?

Everything is moving to the cloud. Even entertainment.

Hell I hardly ever play a local game now. Everything is Online. I live in World of Warcraft. Cloud Gaming is definitely the future.

Don't be so sure this won't effect you.

There is a large push to make sure Internet connections are everywhere. Access to the Net is probably one of the largest obstacles to the cloud. They're going to fix that.

Providing SaaS is in the future revenue streams for everyone from Apple to Verizon.

This is the computer industry. We repackage concepts and re-sell them every other decade.

By the way, how about split screen for Numbers?

Then people can use it with more than 8 columns, thanks.

Dec 31, 08 - 04:33 pm Comment from: Google McCloud

Yes, this is the future.

We give you Word Processing, Spread Sheets, Maps, image storage and management, e-mail, and many other functions now.

Apple tried to connect the iPhone to the cloud ONLY, initially. They will draw you all back into the cloud.

Selling services is much more lucrative than selling hardware.

You are the silver lining in our Cloud!

@Mr. Reese

I concur wholeheartedly and 100%, goddamns and all! To hell with the cloud.

Dec 31, 08 - 04:44 pm Comment from: jjjj

This is why Phil Schiller is giving the keynote. He's the king of software and the AAPL Cloud. Plus, he's shaped like a cloud.

I'll keep my local apps, thank you. Cloud computing doesn't work over satellite-based internet with a blazing 500k download speed and 30k upload, when you're lucky. I've tried all of the MobileMe toys and they basically won't work without a fast, solid connection. Even Apple Mail takes forever with all the handshaking it does. And with download/upload caps, I can't even leave Back to My Mac turned on just to try to play with it. However, I suppose it's the same with most service providers: if they can get to 95% of their customers 95% of the time they're happy.

I think Apple won't make iWork '09 only available as a web app, probably it will be free for MobileMe users and $79 or less for desktop version.

Dec 31, 08 - 04:52 pm Comment from: DLMeyer

"Yes, this is the future."
Well then ... maybe we should start talking definitions?
Me? I don't WANT my documents floating around "in the cloud". I want my docs - AND apps - on my local computer. That's my first choice. Why? Well, I just rebooted the house LAN ... good enough reason in MY book. Yet, we have computers in three places in the house, none closer than a 30' walk from any of the others. If "the cloud" means "my Timemachine" ... I'm OK with that. Or if it means I can CHOOSE to store my docs on my "Me" account, I'm also OK with THAT. Options are good. Flexibility is good. As long as the choice is MINE, not some California tripper's.

Dec 31, 08 - 04:54 pm Comment from: FloydPink

Hope not! maybe as an added feature, but no way as the only option. I would no longer be interested in using iwork if this is true.

Is this site a repository of old fuddy-duddies or something? There are reasons to use the cloud and reasons not to. All you folks talking about "I ain't using no cloud!" should wake up and look at the calendar.

It's the 21st century people.

You guys sound like your parents did when they swore they would "never get a computer" cause they wanted their documents "where they could put their hands on them" and not in some newfangled computerised form.

I won't buy into that. No way, no how.

Dec 31, 08 - 05:11 pm Comment from: Wingsy

As the 2-year old here would say, "I don't want it."

Dec 31, 08 - 05:16 pm Comment from: G4Dualie

Saw it coming.

iLife is next.

Dec 31, 08 - 05:39 pm Comment from: nekogami13

Before the "cloud" arrives we need solid reliable ubiquitous internet connectivity.
How much would business' lose in terms of productivity when the network goes down or you personally when wifi/3g is not available. Network down=useless dumb terminals.

How about during natural disasters and the recovery period?
I spent 2 weeks without power and intermittent land line phone service-forget about 3g service, the cell networks were overwhelmed with everyone and their dog trying to make calls-after a hurricane.
Through solar chargers and car power-I was able to at least amuse myself watching video from my hard drive, etc.

Dec 31, 08 - 05:41 pm Comment from: theloniousMac

Hmmmm.....

http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/12/31/apple.netbook.builder/

Quanta set to build Apple and Sony netbooks?
An Apple netbook may yet be in the works, wording from the Taiwanese government suggests. The country's Government Information Office recently issued a new report, in which it claims that local manufacturer Quanta is "expected to add Sony and Apple as clients for the contract manufacture of Netbook computers in 2009." Although the Sony netbooks could likely be from the new VAIO P series, Apple has not officially announced any plans to release a netbook.
CEO Steve Jobs has, in fact, generally opposed the concept of a netbook, although in recent months he has described them as a "nascent market" in which Apple would "see how it goes." The closest the company has come so far is the MacBook Air, a 13-inch notebook stripped down to essential components; the system still has superior CPU and graphics performance when compared to netbooks like the ASUS Eee PC, however. Quanta is also rumored to be involved in the production of new iMac desktops which would ship in January.

My guess is that this would be an option to the localized versions.

Dec 31, 08 - 05:43 pm Comment from: John Gee

Maybe Stevie J will be at MacWorld...

In the CLOUD!

Rock on.

Dec 31, 08 - 05:47 pm Comment from: theloniousMac

To everyone who points out that the infrastructure currently doesn't lend itself to a full blown cloud computing world, you're right. To a degree.

The infrastructure is however fine for most businesses. Internet and power outages are infrequent. Far less frequent that people who forget to back their files up and have disks fails actually.

Think like the manager of a Dental Office for a moment. You don't care about Windows, or PCs or Macs or Macs vs. PCs. You just want your records managed properly.

You have a DSL connection.

You enter patient records, appointments, and upload x-rays.
You can get rid of that consultant you're paying $150 an hour to.
You don't need a very powerful computer, just a "Thin Client."

"Thin Clients" They're baaaaaaaaack!

Is this because Steve is "moving to the cloud(s)?"

What would be good is if it's a combo unit. When your at home, you use the real deal. When you save a doc, it is backed up in the cloud, and if you are away, you can still access it and update it from Safari. Sounds good to me.

I expect that this will also work on PCs IF they use Safari.

You're not kidding.

It was just about 15 years ago that a tree falling on some power lines in Oregon or Washington knocked out power over several western U.S. states.

I was in a local computer store in downtown Phoenix at the time and wanted to make a purchase, but was unable to because the electric powered registers didn't work. The staff didn't even have an old fashioned, credit card slider.

Can you imagine what WILL happened when such an event happens again in our age of interconnected retail registers and CC sliders?

It's already being done, to some success as well.

http://www.smartsheet.com/

This would be successful but they need to have both options.

"I DO NOT want my applications and data in or on anybody else's friggin "Cloud", thank you."

I second, third and fourth that.

This raises an interesting question as a number of ISPs seem inclined to move away from unlimited Internet access for a fixed price. Could this move to cloud computing have hidden costs for consumers?

And what's the point of having a sophisticated machine as a MacBook Pro if there's a move away from applications on the local machine?

"I DO NOT want my applications and data in or on anybody else's friggin "Cloud", thank you."

I fifth that motion as well!

NO Cloud here. There's a reason the masses chose PERSONAL computers.

Dvorak is going to LOVE this!

Ryan
nerdhook.com

Can you imagine what WILL happened when such an event happens again in our age of interconnected retail registers and CC sliders?

In the end, the Amish will win.

As the rest of us scramble in hysterics because our technology failed us (again).....

We don't need no steenkin' cloud...

Dec 31, 08 - 07:09 pm Comment from: DogGone

Apple would surely have to improve their "cloud" experience first. The me.com service is still buggy. Outages are more common now than before the me.com service opened.

I cannot believe that the current service could handle the load if the webapps are put onboard.

Still this is something for the future. It may take several years for this to get up to speed. So those who start the trend may lead the pack once this takes off.

As David F pointed out, there may be download limitations in the near future. I just got a BluRay player with built in Netflix. It works great but I wonder how much data I will be able to get until they throttle it down. I have to say that the Netflix service beats Apple's at this point.

OK how about finishing the fixes for MobileMe first...iWork in the cloud would be a waste of time and resources.

apps in the "cloud" and netbooks today were called mainframes and dumb terminals years ago; maybe it works for those who just use a computer to manage email, calendars and address books, but for those who are creating something with their computers or care about their information/data...run away, run away

...same for google, apple, MS or ibm as the cloud provider

...I realize this paranoia about information ownership control seems to be a bit of a generational thing, but you will find that your "publishing" of all that stuff that seems so cool on your facebook, etc on the internet today, won't be so nice once you get older and have a career. It will haunt you a lot more than the pix I have of the 80s clothes and haircuts -- on the internet/cloud, it never goes away

Agreed with most. Seems too rushed. BUT. If Apple get iWorks UI working even through iPhone better than G-docs - look out and duck! Here comes a chair!
"MacCloud, get off my ewe!"

Relax people. This is good, if true. Currently iWork apps don't run on PCs. This is a brilliant way to offer these Mac apps to PC users.

Of course, they will have all the drawbacks and limitations that many of you described, but it's a great way to let PC users become more familiar and less afraid to move to the Mac.

Apple has to do this for two reasons. The first is that Microsoft is getting into this space and Apple cannot allow the "cloud" version of MS office to be ubiquitous. The second is that Google is already in this space and Apple may find itself in a showdown with Google over Andriod. Apple may offer ad-free web search, Google may respond with withdrawing support from iPhone, to which Apple can respond with a web based iWork suite.

this sounds like a way to increase the cost of a Dot Mac membership...

Most of the comments seem to come from ex Windows users or noobs. In the olden days of computing, everyone used terminals connected to a mainframe. Thin clients have a lot of value in today's world with the importance we place on data.

I would trust a secure data storage facility with my data more than I would trust my computer to my neighborhood thief or my fallible HD.

It sound like most of the commentators would be advised to wake up and smell the high speed Ethernet.