Apple Reveals More iCloud Details

August 8th, 2011 · 14 notes · #MobileMe #Apple #iCloud #iTunes #Match #iOS #Mac #OS #X #Lion #iPhone #iPad #Mac

Apple has been releasing more information to developers about iCloud, it’s upcoming service that will store email, calendars, documents, and media in Apple’s cloud and sync it across users’ Apple devices. The Cupertino-based computing company plans to open iCloud to the public in the Fall. 

Developers have exclusively learned through their paid accounts that Apple will be providing former subscribers of MobileMe, Apple’s older and current version of iCloud, an extra 20GB of free space in their cloud. The free space will last until June 30, 2012 unless iCloud users choose to subscribe to the service and pay for the additional storage. 

The news comes as a friendly gesture from Apple, whose stock fell more than 20 points Monday morning amid the S&P downgrading crisis. Analysts have suggested buying AAPL, along with other technology stocks, as recent economic activity does not reflect the performance of the technology sector. “Apple could buy Bank of America,” CNBC reporters said.

iCloud is currently in beta and only available to registered developers of Apple’s program. However, Apple has announced the service will launch in the Fall along with iOS 5, Apple’s new operating system for iPhones and iPads. News outlets are also reporting an iPhone 5 release during the same time period, suggesting that Apple wants to get the three products out in time for the holiday season. 

The Meaning of Mac OS X Lion’s Wallpaper ✎

December 12th, 2010 · 7 notes · #mac #os #x #lion #macrumors #wallpaper

Attempting to create a Mac OS X Lion look-alike desktop, which I did, I had to look for the wallpaper first. I stumbled upon a thread in the MacRumors forums asking where it could be found. A couple people snagged the wallpaper from the 1080p stream and cropped it. 

In the thread, someone asked why Apple had put up a stupid pink flower rather than a ferocious lion as the wallpaper. Someone opened up a new account titled “lotus bud” and wrote a single, meaningful post:

The flower is a lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) which blooms rich of symbolism, namely in the eastern traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism, of which Mr. Jobs is well aware.

From these perspectives, the roots of a lotus are found beneath the surface of pond mud, from there the stem grows up through the murky waters, and then finally the remarkably beautiful flower blossoms pristinely above the water, basking in the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the mind from the primeval mud of attachment, through the waters of experience, and into the bright rays of enlightenment.

It does not seem unreasonable to suspect that Apple uses this imagery, in full knowledge of its historical significance, because they believe their work is a continuation of this metaphorical progress.