Macworld Forums: iCloud vs. Wi-Fi Sync: Which does what? - Macworld Forums

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If I understand correctly, there is another major difference between iCloud and Wi-Fi syncing. Since wi-fi syncs, for example, all music on your computer it does not distinguish between what Apple ID was used as long as the music resides in your computer library. All music syncs to your device.
However, like many users, I have multiple Apple IDs from which hundreds of tunes have been purchased from different IDs. So, if I were to use iCloud syncing I am only allowed to sync purchases from one Apple ID at a time since Apple does not allow merging of IDs. Once you enter a required Apple ID on your device, that is the only Account you can sync tunes and apps from--you are locked out of any other Apple ID for 90 days on that device. The problem of not being able to merge Apple IDs is rarely discussed in the press, just forums.

Thanks for the story,
May I add that for me the Wi-Fi Sync is my only option to sync music wirelessly as the option to sync music via iCloud is not available for the rest of the world.. at least not in Europe and We're waiting patiently for it!

pete

I love my Macs but Apple please simplify this syncing process!

wwelsh39, on 07 November 2011 - 10:23 AM, said:

+1 to the sentiment, while offering the caveat that robust synching is legitimately an amazingly complex task. I'm rather have it right with incremental improvements to the user experience than simple but fundamentally slawed.

"Thanks to the combination of iTunes 10.5, iOS 5, and iCloud,…"

From my understanding, Lion is required for some of these features? I have an iPhone 4 running iOS5 and am running Snow Leopard (10.6.8) on my computer. For Photo Stream does not work, even though I have upgraded to iPhoto 9.2.

Please correct me if I am wrong?

This post has been edited by Allegro72: 07 November 2011 - 11:08 AM

I am a big podcast listener, and feel that the lack of support for downloading podcasts directly to my iPhone is a missing feature. Wi-fi syncing does not work well when I download my podcasts and in the morning on my Mac and then need to quickly load them on my phone. But if the podcasts would download while the phone was charging at night then that would be the best option. I'm hoping this is in Apple's plans but that they just haven't gotten around to it yet.

To be honest I fail to see any real use for WiFi sync.

The only situation where I think WiFi sync (with iCloud) would be good, is if 100% of the music I want on my iPod is music I purchased through the iTunes store.

Guess what? 90% of my music isn't, they are ripped from my CD collection. Yes I'm aware that I could pay 25€ a year (once this service becomes available, and I still wonder whether it will be in Europe too, not to mention just Belgium in particular, which honestly, I doubt it will), to get that music too, but why would I? I already have it on my computer I might as well just sync.

In any other case, I find it totally useless. Not to mention I first had to upgrade my "old" OS X 10.5.8 computer to 10.6.8 to even be able to use the WiFi sync in the first place (upgrade was painless so no hard feeligns. I don't regret a single second upgrading to SL tbh).

Either way, syncing my music and podcasts and videos to my iPod Touch requires it to be plugged in (actually, you CAN sync stuff without being plugged in, but I'm guessing that's battery-suicide anyway).

And most of the time when my iPod is plugged in, it's plugged in to *dun dun dun* my computer.

wwelsh39, on 07 November 2011 - 10:23 AM, said:

+1

WiFi sync + iCloud + iWork.com: what a mess!

GalakFyarr, on 07 November 2011 - 11:21 AM, said:

This is spelled out clearly in the article you've commented on, but you've missed the functions of Wi-Fi sync vs. iCloud sync and music services.

Wi-Fi sync to iDevices functions just like USB sync, just without the physical attachment to the computer. As long as the content is in your iTunes library either via ripping or downloading from various sources, it will sync just the way it does via USB.

iCloud sync only syncs calendars, contacts, save data and the like, and has no bearing on any music, videos or games on your iDevice. You can still opt to sync to your computer rather than iCloud, in which case this data would sync over WiFi just like your content.

While it is true that iCloud music downloading only works with content from the iTunes Store, or with iTunes Match, this is strictly a manual, on-demand service. While it may not be particularly useful for users in the Eurozone or don't want to pay extra for access for non-iTMS music, it is useful if you want to listen to an iTMS-bought song on your iDevice but are nowhere near your computer.

GalakFyarr, on 07 November 2011 - 11:21 AM, said:

The shortcomings you've identified in here are completely legitimate. That doesn't mean it's not nice to have the option. The issues you have are trade-offs for convenience. If you don't value that particular conveniece...hey, that's cool. Nobody makes you use it. But useless to you doesn't mean useless, period. I don't charge my iPad from my computer; I plug it into the one remaining (but underpowered) accessible USB port to sync, but I go to the wall when I need to charge it.

My iTunes does not give me the option for Wi-Fi Sync.
Anyone else having this problem?
Any solutions?

Allegro72, on 07 November 2011 - 11:05 AM, said:

Correct, but since iCloud requires Lion, we didn't explicitly note that.

GalakFyarr, on 07 November 2011 - 11:21 AM, said:

I find it useful because I tend to keep my iPhone in a charger on my nightstand at night to use it as an alarm clock. With Wi-Fi sync, it syncs each night without having to plug it into my Mac.