iOS5 and iCloud

Well, it's been two weeks since Apple released its new iOS5. Hopefully the servers have had time to settle down as millions of users have downloaded this update.  

Now let's take a look at some of the features of iOS5.  I'd like to start with my most anticipated feature, iCloud. iCloud was billed as a new service allowig you to synchronize your contacts, calendars e-mail and more between multiple iOS5 devices such as your iPad, iPhone, iPod and Mac or PC. 
When Apple announced iCloud it was implied that you would be able to easily sync contacts, calendar events and documents between devices simply by saving changes. Well it doesn't appear to work quite that way. I've had little success in synchronizing my contacts between my iPad and my MacBook. I've had no success syncing my contacts, calendars, etc. with any of my PCs. It appears that you have  to connect your iPad or other device to your computer in order to  turn on sharing of contacts, calendars, etc.

Documents are an entirely different matter. Simply saving a document will not synchroniz it across devices. You have two actually save the document to a folder on the iCloud server.  Then on the other device you need to open the document from that folder. Not exactly what I was expecting. The presentation announcing iCloud (see video) made it seem like you could save a document on your computer and then simply grab your iPad, take the presentation to the clients office, and open it with no extra steps.

Overall, though, I really like the new operating system. It has many new features that are both fun and useful. We"ll take a look at some of those in the coming days. In the meantime please feel free to add your thoughts about iCloud and let's have a lively discussion.