Apple Launches Beta Version of iCloud Website

Following the announcement of its new cloud service earlier this year, Apple AAPL has now launched the beta version of its iCloud website. The website - www.icloud.com - now loads a login screen with an iCloud badge carrying the "Beta" signature. Apple's service will allow users to store music, photos, applications, documents and other content in the cloud. Apple will then push the data from its servers to all of the users' devices wirelessly. Slated to be released sometime this fall, Apple is also expected to release the new iPhone 5 and a new mobile software update, iOS 5. The Cuptertino, CA-based company has made a strong push to establish a space in the cloud market, and management hopes to benefit from an established customer base and simplicity of use. As it stands, Apple is tossing in 5 GB of free storage, which is roughly the size of a small iPod. An extra 10 GB will cost $20 per year, an extra 20 GB at $40 per year, or an extra 50 GB at $100 per year. Apple has made a significant investment into cloud computing, already establishing a state-of-the-art data center in North Carolina. Its thought that the new cloud services will be based in the facility. Competitors in the cloud media market include Google GOOG and Amazon AMZN. Whereas both of those services require users to upload music to the company's servers, Apple uses a Scan and Match software that cuts the upload time significantly.