The Future is in the Clouds

If the recent record-breaking success of the iPhone 4S hasn't convinced you yet, let me spell it out for you — the future is mobile. In the wake of the passing of Steve Jobs, the Apple machine has continued to pump out the hits.

Apple's incredible influence in the mobile market has caused a dramatic shift in how we go about our daily lives, conducting business, and consuming content. If not already, then in the very near future, smart phones will have become all but ubiquitous.

Increased capability coupled with the aggressive development of high speed 4G networks will soon provide access to all of your files and media anywhere you have a connection. The launch of Apple's new iCloud service will provide an entrance into cloud storage solutions for the mainstream. Whatever data you choose to upload will be available on a remote server and accessible from any remote terminal.

Cloud storage is relatively new, but there are already a multitude of options available including services from giants Google and Microsoft. iCloud is a typical product release for Apple. You can rest assured that accessibility and ease of use has been streamlined into the already slick iOS user interface, providing the less technically inclined a comforting entrance. The popularity of the iPhone will thus increase the popularity of cloud storage.

This coincides with the shift away from physical media altogether, leading to a future where everyone can take their digital belongings wherever they can take their mobile device. Of course privacy will always be an issue, but the advantages of remote access will allow for a more connected world and facilitate collaboration. I say bring it on. In today's globalized world, easier collaboration provides more time to be spent on projects that make all our lives easier and more enjoyable.