Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

More and more often lately, it seems we are referring to the “cloud,” however that usually refers to cloud based storage or cloud based apps.  But this latest mention of the cloud is a complete operating system, which is appropriately named iCloud.

To begin with, I would not expect a perfect use situation, because iCloud is still listed as being in beta, but otherwise it appears to offer a complete operating system in the cloud.  Once you are signed up, just visit http://icloud.com and log in, from there you will be presented with your desktop that you can use and customize in a manner similar to a traditional desktop computer operating system.

The desktop has a look that is similar to Windows, almost like a cross between XP and Vista.  All things considered I would say it has a decent look.  It has a familiar looking desktop that has a sidebar with widgets as well as a start menu.  As for applications, iCould offers programs for Mail, IM, storing your photos, calendar, contacts, games, a text editor, a music and video player and more.

As of now, according to the iCloud website, Internet Explorer is required for use.  While it is disappointing to see that Firefox is not supported other than as “early alpha stage,” it does make sense considering one of the iCloud target users group are those without a computer.  Given that, you would assume they would login from a public terminal somewhere (Internet Cafe or Public Library) and those places are more likely to be running IE as opposed to Firefox.

Aside from targeting those without a computer, iCloud could serve as a central storage location for those who work on the web.  It seems like it could be a nice place to not only store files, but also be able to work with them from wherever or whenever the need may arise.  Of course, plenty of options are already available for online storage, and even online document editing and such, but something about having it all in the same place seems appealing.  Heck, you are even able to customize the desktop.  Anyway, you can give it a shot, iCloud is currently free to sign up for and begin using. 

Read [iCloud]  Via [jkOnTheRun]