iCloud to be iPopping

The new iCloud service from Apple Inc. is shaping up to be a huge hit. Or, as RBC Dominion Securities puts it, "iPopular."

"Proprietary RBC survey data shows 76 per cent of iPhone users intend to use Apple’s iCloud service," said analysts Mike Abramsky and Mark Sue, whose price target on Apple shares is $450 (U.S.).

"This high response rate affirms the growing interest in storing, syncing and sharing music, photos, documents across multiple devices. Based off the survey data, Apple could sign up estimated 150 million iCloud users, moving into the scope of leading of online user bases."

The new iCloud service which allows users to access music or photos on various devices, was part of a broader sweep that also included iMessage, similar to the BBM function on the Research In Motion Ltd. BlackBerry.

The iCloud venture was unveiled earlier this month as the war heats up among the likes of Apple, RIM and Google Inc. , whose Android operating system is a big success.

"Thirty per cent of surveyed iPhone users are very/somewhat likely to spend $24.99 per year for iTunes Match to host their non-Apple music libraries in iCloud," the RBC analysts said in a research note.

"Seventy-three per cent of iPhone users intend to use iMessage, equating to up to 150 million iMessage users ... Because it stores user data, iCloud, along with iTunes is expected to enhance loyalty and stickiness of Apple’s customers, helping defend against threats from Android."

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from Globe & Mail