- iCloud: auto sync over WiFi to all devices (up to 10); scan & match to convert all your tracks to AAC; photo stream to push 1,000 most recent photos to each device; daily back-up over WiFi; 5 GB free storage for mail, docs, back-up.
- iOS 5: iMessage for free on-net SMS/MMS among iOS users; Twitter integration.
And some numbers:
- 200m iOS devices sold so far, of which 25m iPads.
- 54m active Mac users.
- App Store holds 425k apps, of which 90k for iPad only; 14bn apps have been downloaded.
- iBookstore holds 200k titles; 130m iBooks have been downloaded.
- iTunes Store: 225m accounts, 15bn tracks were downloaded.
- Game Center: 50m users.
Conclusions:
- Bad news for SMS/MMS and possibly for BlackBerry/Ping. However, Apple is still a top-end brand, limiting its network effect. But the lock-in appears to be vast.
- Cloud computing, data centers and connectivity increasingly important; WiFi in particular.
- Same for developers. Who are the champions? Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, ...
- Sacrificing: the Mac computer; no longer needed for syncing.
- There seem to be no limits to their developing powers. Each is building its own version of the internet. And if Google should ever launch a bank, they would be building their own version of ... the economy.
- Conspicuously missing so far: streaming media, broadcast/video and VoIP.
- Scan & match appears to be a laundering tool for all so far cobbled together music from various sources. Not sure if the music majors are involved. Is there a revenue sharing deal? Or have they been as clever as one can expect, taking just $150m?
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