Preparations For iCloud

If everything works according to plan, iCloud should arrive next week. The only immediate actions are to get ready to download several application updates. iWork for Mac and iOS is likely to be released at the same time that iCloud goes live. In addition to the applications from Apple, I’m sure there are a number of top-tier developers ready to start using the iCloud syncing (for example the Omni Group).

That doesn’t mean there isn’t some long term preparations that need to be made. First and foremost, iDisk is marked for termination. I’m not a fan of iDisk but I do have a significant number of files still hanging around that I do not want to lose. It’s been the only way to easily get Omni iOS files on and off my devices. In addition, the webdav disk access from Windows was convenient back before my employer locked out that system extension from our desktops. iDisk has also been a good way to share files between iOS apps that do not support Dropbox (mostly Omni and Apple apps).

Here’s the deal: Apple has said “You will be able to continue using MobileMe iDisk through June 30, 2012, even after moving to iCloud.” That means it’s not an emergency, but something I probably want to do sooner rather than later.

There are some minor things to keep in mind about Apple ID’s and iCloud syncing but Brian Stucki has a good overview (via Shawn Blanc) of how a family can share one ID for purchases and still keep separate ID’s for calendars and contacts. There is also a very thorough discussion of how the existing Apple ID’s will transfer over to iCloud on the Apple Discussion boards.

So I have been pruning and migrating all of my iDisk files over to my documents folder this weekend. I’m also setting aside a bit of time to clean up my contacts and calendar. These additional efforts aren’t caused by the iCloud migration, but I’m taking advantage of some focus time to do a favor for my future self. I’ll thank me later.