AppleID

NovaScotian · 07-20-2012, 05:12 PM

Just took delivery of a new iPad and was instantly wowed by its display. The retina display is fantastic. One of the first things to arise in its setup procedure, however, is an invitation to use the iCloud which I refused -- I don't run it on my iMac, iPod Touch, or my MBP either, primarily because my trials with its previous generations; @Mac, MobileMe, Me.com, whatever, were always dismal failures; more annoyance than convenience and not very reliable. Dropbox is rock solid and fruux does a good job of keeping iCal and Address Book aligned.

I'm finding the same thing with the App Store too although there, the problem is that I have idiotically managed over the years to register more than one AppleID and no matter what I see an upgrade for, it always seems to be connected to the one I haven't entered. Given that frustration (since my passwords are complex and a nuisance to type in), I tend to avoid the store like the plague; it's just a PITA. It's also ridiculous that Apple hasn't come up with a nice clean way to consolidate them because without some means for doing that, it doesn't "just work" and must cost them revenue. I have never bought any store offerings I could get any other way; no videos, no books, minimal apps and I suspect there are others like me.

NaOH · 07-20-2012, 05:49 PM

I'll note some reasons to consider signing up for iCloud. One is the the Find My [iPad/iPod] feature if you're devices are used in a way where theft or loss is an issue. Another is the wireless, automatic backups to Apple. Also, some of the data syncing may be of use (i.e., if you use iWork apps on iOS and OS X). Note that you can do this without using iCloud for your contacts or calendars.

None of that is meant to contradict your complaints/concerns. Sometimes it seems as though I was the one person who didn't have issues with the pre-iCloud incarnations. Point being, the complaints seemed sufficiently widespread that I understand people's reticence. I'll only note that it's worth keeping an eye on how well Apple does with iCloud. It certainly seems like the two big areas where they're focusing iOS software are in automatic data synchronization and voice recognition. Since they're betting a figurative farm on this stuff, there may come a point where you feel the iCloud services are viable, but that can only happen if you are open to the possibility.

NovaScotian · 07-20-2012, 06:35 PM

Thanks, NaOH. I certainly see the potential. It always boggles my mind that Apple so successfully runs Software Update on desktops and can't manage accounts and passwords on their cloud efforts.

agentx · 07-23-2012, 05:22 AM

The complication is the hard coding of AppleID into DRM when you purchase something.
Merging IDs is a very complicated thing for Apple to implement hence why it has not been done....and don't hold your breath it coming anytime soon.

I have had to deal with dozens of "AppleID Hell" moments and there are so many different scenarios. Luckily i have always done all my purchasing on one ID which has been migrated from .Mac, mobileMe and each member of my household has an iCloud account, but all purchasing is done through 1 ID.....mine !

And don't even get me started on managing AppleID in business....it is a huge PITA !

Overall iCloud is very good if you are on Lion+/iOS5+ but of course this leaves many in the lurch. Dropbox and iCloud are not really to be compared....yet.

07-20-2012, 05:12 PM	#1
NovaScotian Hall of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Halifax, Canada Posts: 4,945	AppleID Just took delivery of a new iPad and was instantly wowed by its display. The retina display is fantastic. One of the first things to arise in its setup procedure, however, is an invitation to use the iCloud which I refused -- I don't run it on my iMac, iPod Touch, or my MBP either, primarily because my trials with its previous generations; @Mac, MobileMe, Me.com, whatever, were always dismal failures; more annoyance than convenience and not very reliable. Dropbox is rock solid and fruux does a good job of keeping iCal and Address Book aligned. I'm finding the same thing with the App Store too although there, the problem is that I have idiotically managed over the years to register more than one AppleID and no matter what I see an upgrade for, it always seems to be connected to the one I haven't entered. Given that frustration (since my passwords are complex and a nuisance to type in), I tend to avoid the store like the plague; it's just a PITA. It's also ridiculous that Apple hasn't come up with a nice clean way to consolidate them because without some means for doing that, it doesn't "just work" and must cost them revenue. I have never bought any store offerings I could get any other way; no videos, no books, minimal apps and I suspect there are others like me. __________________ 17" MBP, OS X 10.8.3; 27" iMac, OS X 10.8.3 Last edited by NovaScotian; 07-20-2012 at 05:15 PM.

07-20-2012, 06:35 PM	#3
NovaScotian Hall of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Halifax, Canada Posts: 4,945	Thanks, NaOH. I certainly see the potential. It always boggles my mind that Apple so successfully runs Software Update on desktops and can't manage accounts and passwords on their cloud efforts. __________________ 17" MBP, OS X 10.8.3; 27" iMac, OS X 10.8.3

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07-20-2012, 05:49 PM	#2
NaOH Hall of Famer Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,642	I'll note some reasons to consider signing up for iCloud. One is the the Find My [iPad/iPod] feature if you're devices are used in a way where theft or loss is an issue. Another is the wireless, automatic backups to Apple. Also, some of the data syncing may be of use (i.e., if you use iWork apps on iOS and OS X). Note that you can do this without using iCloud for your contacts or calendars. None of that is meant to contradict your complaints/concerns. Sometimes it seems as though I was the one person who didn't have issues with the pre-iCloud incarnations. Point being, the complaints seemed sufficiently widespread that I understand people's reticence. I'll only note that it's worth keeping an eye on how well Apple does with iCloud. It certainly seems like the two big areas where they're focusing iOS software are in automatic data synchronization and voice recognition. Since they're betting a figurative farm on this stuff, there may come a point where you feel the iCloud services are viable, but that can only happen if you are open to the possibility.

07-23-2012, 05:22 AM	#4
agentx Hall of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Brighton, UK Posts: 3,811	The complication is the hard coding of AppleID into DRM when you purchase something. Merging IDs is a very complicated thing for Apple to implement hence why it has not been done....and don't hold your breath it coming anytime soon. I have had to deal with dozens of "AppleID Hell" moments and there are so many different scenarios. Luckily i have always done all my purchasing on one ID which has been migrated from .Mac, mobileMe and each member of my household has an iCloud account, but all purchasing is done through 1 ID.....mine ! And don't even get me started on managing AppleID in business....it is a huge PITA ! Overall iCloud is very good if you are on Lion+/iOS5+ but of course this leaves many in the lurch. Dropbox and iCloud are not really to be compared....yet.