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On a Cloud

Lifestyler checks out the latest cloud storage devices


December 13, 2011


Web-based storage systems, also known as cloud storage, have been floating around for the past few years. Now that prominent heavyweights, Amazon, Apple, and Google, have released their own respective cloud services, these unique storage systems have been garnering a lot of attention for how they’re revolutionizing the way we manage our cyber lives — specifically our precious music libraries.

With cloud storage, your digital content can be uploaded and securely stored online. This means that not only is your music backed up, but all of your favourite songs are accessible from any computer that has an Internet connection. There is no longer a need for cables or file transfers.

Navigating through the different cloud systems can be a little perplexing; hopefully this chart will come in handy when picking out which service is best for your needs.

Type Storage Price Compatible with Streaming Offline
Amazon
(Cloud Drive and Cloud Player)

Unlimited for Amazon purchases

5GB storage space for songs not purchased from Amazon, backup, documents, and other media

 

Free

$20 per year for 20GB

 

All devices with Adobe Flash Yes You can download songs and files for up to eight different devices
Apple (iCloud)

Unlimited for purchases from iTunes

Limit of 25,000 songs for songs that are not purchased on iTunes

5GB storage space for documents, mail and backup 

Free

$24.99 per year for iTunes Match

Additional storage can be purchased

Macs and iOS- based devices All music bought from iTunes will be shared with
all your
devices with the same
Apple ID
. 
You can download songs and files up to any 10 authorized devices
Google (Music Beta) 20,000 songs Free (while in Beta) All devices with web browsers Yes

Recently played songs are cached for offline listening

You can also manually select songs/albums for offline listening


 

If you like the idea of having your music readily available, but can do without the online storage, then streaming music websites may just do the trick. Rdio lets you build playlists from millions of songs that you can listen to online on your computer for $4.99/month. For $9.99/month, you also have option of mobile streaming. On the other hand, Grooveshark is a free website with an easy-to-use interface that allows you to create and save playlists from their massive music library to listen when connected to the Internet on your computer. Stereomood is also a free website that offers you a unique listening experience by creating a themed playlist that is tailored to your mood. • 


Photo Courtesy: Apple



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