So, the rumor has been proven to be a fact; Apple has acquired iCloud.com domain name from Xcerion, a Swedish hybrid cloud provider for a whopping $4.5 million, as reported by CNET. Apple iCloud is ready to launch!
To find a proof of the domain name acquisition, I have done a lookup for iCloud.com WHOIS registry information and found the registration details of the domain name – it is confirmed; Apple Inc. owns iCloud.com.
The following is the registry WHOIS for iCloud.com domain name to confirm the acquisition of iCloud.com by Apple Inc. (you can also find the registry WHOIS details here):
Registrant:
Apple Inc.
ATTN ICLOUD.COM
care of Network Solutions
PO Box 459
Drums, PA. US 18222Domain Name: ICLOUD.COM
Administrative Contact, Technical Contact:
Apple Inc. ***********@networksolutionsprivateregistration.com
ATTN ICLOUD.COM
care of Network Solutions
PO Box 459
Drums, PA 18222
US
570-708-8780Record expires on 15-Jan-2018.
Record created on 18-Dec-2007.
Xcerion, in the other hand, has moved its cloud storage service from iCLoud.com to CloudMe.com in April 2011, getting prepared for the acquisition. As of today, iCloud.com still redirects to CloudMe.com.
What will Apple iCloud offer users?
We don’t know what Apple plans for iCloud, but the rumor tells us that Apple iCloud will be a cloud music storage service provider. The unveiling of Apple’s plan for iCloud will be done in the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, USA on Monday next week.
The rumor about cloud-based music storage service might become a true fact, as yesterday (May 31, 2011) Apple has reportedly registered for trademark rights for the iCloud name with the Trade Marks and Design Registration Office of the European Union. Apple lists the following classifications: “electronic storage of data, text, images, audio, and video; storage services for archiving electronic data; information and consultation in connection therewith.”
The classifications pretty much describing, I suppose… along with the fact that Apple has obtained licensing agreements with EMI Music, Warner Music, and Sony Music, iCloud will most probably offer music-related, cloud-based storage service.
Apple seems to have its hands full with cloud plans ahead. One thing for sure, Apple fans and users worldwide will benefit with the new cloud-based services from Apple iCloud.
