Who Will Win the Cloud War? Apple vs. Google vs. Microsoft
Sep 18, 2011 01:00 PM EDT by 
Who Will Win?
Despite the multitude of offerings available from each of these companies, the prevailing wisdom seems to be that it’s just too soon to determine which company’s strategy is best. “I think there are a lot of different scenarios,” Gartenberg said. “The answer is, we just don’t know everything about what everyone is doing now.”
Gartenberg believes Google’s failure to fully integrate its web-based offerings and its Android and Chrome operating systems is a response to the public being unready to move to the cloud. “Google seems to be taking several approaches. On the one hand, they are certainly focusing on entirely cloud-based services with Chrome OS and Chromebooks. On the other hand, they seem to be hedging those bets to some degree in the short term with Android and rich applications,” he said.
Since most consumers don’t seem to be ready to embrace an entirely cloud-based experience, Apple, Google, and Microsoft will integrate cloud services into more of their applications to indoctrinate more users.
However, to some, Apple and its iCloud are looking more and more like the favorite even before it’s launched. “With Apple, there will be less setup, which is what the mass market needs,” Levitas said. “Simplicity to me will trump features and functions in this space.”
War of the Cloud Services
- Defining the Cloud and its Value
- The Cloud According to Apple
- The Clouds of Google and Microsoft
- Who Will Win the War?
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September 18th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
You don’t have understood the real fundamental conceptual difference between Apple and Google “cloud”.
1) with Apple the could is a transparent syncing tools, where all your documents are copied on all you iDevices and Macs. But you don’t depend of an internet connection to use your data. You use full native Apps, syncing is done transparently when you happen to be online.
2) with Google all your software AND data are in the cloud. You need a FAST internet connection 100% of the time and the Apps are substandard (non-native) Web-Apps.
Of course I much prefer the first approach.
Don’t know about Microsoft and don’t care.
September 18th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
This question reminds me of the old days when people talked about the big three automakers and how powerful they were. Then one day OPEC showed the world who really had all the power; The folks who own the oil.
In the same way, Apple, Google, and Microsoft are going to have their asses handed to them by a new bandwidth cartel. Time Warner, COMCAST, AT&T, and VERIZON will win the cloud wars, they own the cloud. And with morons claiming that Net Neutrality is “evil government regulation” nothing stands in their way.
September 18th, 2011 at 10:53 pm
For an article about the different approaches to cloud storage and computing between Google, Apple and Microsoft, I would have expected to see Steve Balmer in the accompanying illustration. But I’m pretty sure that one of them looks suspiciously like Jim Balsillie….
December 20th, 2011 at 6:32 am
I really like the way Apple is paving the way in the computer market, there was a time when Microsoft was dominating the computer market and we had to put up with the awful Windows XP and internet explorer 6+7. Since Apple has become a thread with the advent of Snow Leopard taking bites out of Microsoft’s market share, Windows was forced to react by catching up and being innovative again (something Microsoft wasn’t able to do since Windows 3.1).
I like where Apple is heading with iCloud, it’s almost fate that Microsoft will follow suite with something of their own, perhaps an improved SkyDrive or an entirely new service altogether. And how knows maybe a cloud dependant OS may even make up for revenue lost through persistent piracy.
March 16th, 2012 at 4:18 am
They do allow access as a network drive from Amazon I have my backup drive mounted on my PC as a drive letter. Works just fine. And the Amazon drive is a WebDAV exposure, which is an industry standard.
March 16th, 2012 at 4:19 am
How long is it unlimited for? Is there a guarantee for 1 year just in case there is a policy change?
March 17th, 2012 at 6:28 am
Could you gives us a review based on Mowbe and not liverdrive, please.
March 19th, 2012 at 5:07 am
Hi Jasmine! I like the live chat support feature of omni. It makes them accessible to the customers anytime and anywhere.
March 19th, 2012 at 5:09 am
Nice round up of cloud update in the region.. Tks
March 20th, 2012 at 12:25 am
I got so sick and tired of lugging around bulky, expensive “laptop cases” the other day, so I got on Amazon looking for a more manageable solution. Amazon recommended this, and I love it! It snuggly cradles my Dell Inspiron 6000, and has plenty of padding.
March 20th, 2012 at 2:30 am
Hi… i use skydrive..and gmail using an app to use gmail 7 GB space as backup
March 21st, 2012 at 1:13 pm
The winner is the most open system which seems to me to be Amazon/RIMM combination. Amazon is already there with a simple ubiquitous cloud and RIMM’s BB QNX/BB10 already syncs everything in v 2.0. The build out of their data centers to hold more than just cache BB cloud and integrate that with Amazon and of course Android apps due to the structure of QNX and you have the winner. Probably Harman Int’l will find its way into the mix as well with their understanding of QNX, audio, streaming, etc. You have to think out of the box and not just round up the usual suspects.
Thanks for the article it really clarified my thinking.