Would a private iCloud NAS be a viable business opportunity for Apple?

[darktux]

In the past announcements Apple always clearly stated that they honour the privacy of their users. Now they even have an add campaign about privacy on iPhones. With Photos doing all the AI analytics on the device they are already providing something that I really like over the competition. But I can see one thing where Apple could go even further: a private iCloud.

Would it actually be a viable business for Apple? How much money is Apple making with their iCloud storage? As it is included in the "Services" revenue which includes the AppStore as well it was hard for me to tell. I'd imagine that it isn't a big profit driver. Especially as server storage isn't cheap.

I could imagine something like an Apple iCloud NAS. A box powered by Apple Silicone with RAID storage and 10 GbE connection for the home network. Mostly targeted at content creators and companies and plugging into the iCloud API calls that Apple is using on all their devices. Basically a drop-in replacement for iCloud.com. Including an Apple DynDNS service to route traffic to this NAS when not at home. I'd imagine it to be expensive. But it could certainly bind companies and content creators even closer to the Apple ecosystem with unique advantages that Apple can definitely figure out.

For individual users this would be a brilliant move from a privacy perspective. Decentralising data and giving it back in the users' hand. Tbh with a proper upgradeability, maintainability, multi user and OS support promise I would be willing to spend up to 5k to ensure my data stays with me and replace my already used alternatives to iCloud.

What is your opinion on my crazy thoughts? Is this something you could see Apple doing to go the extra mile and provide even more privacy?

 

[interbear]

I think it's a great idea actually. Especially if it had Apple simplicity built in so the average user - me - could set it up and use it easily. I'd much rather have a private Apple iCloud NAS. 5k seems a little pricey however. Like a lot pricey Perhaps 1-2k.

 

[atmenterprises]

In the past announcements Apple always clearly stated that they honour the privacy of their users. Now they even have an add campaign about privacy on iPhones. With Photos doing all the AI analytics on the device they are already providing something that I really like over the competition. But I can see one thing where Apple could go even further: a private iCloud.

Would it actually be a viable business for Apple? How much money is Apple making with their iCloud storage? As it is included in the "Services" revenue which includes the AppStore as well it was hard for me to tell. I'd imagine that it isn't a big profit driver. Especially as server storage isn't cheap.

I could imagine something like an Apple iCloud NAS. A box powered by Apple Silicone with RAID storage and 10 GbE connection for the home network. Mostly targeted at content creators and companies and plugging into the iCloud API calls that Apple is using on all their devices. Basically a drop-in replacement for iCloud.com. Including an Apple DynDNS service to route traffic to this NAS when not at home. I'd imagine it to be expensive. But it could certainly bind companies and content creators even closer to the Apple ecosystem with unique advantages that Apple can definitely figure out.

For individual users this would be a brilliant move from a privacy perspective. Decentralising data and giving it back in the users' hand. Tbh with a proper upgradeability, maintainability, multi user and OS support promise I would be willing to spend up to 5k to ensure my data stays with me and replace my already used alternatives to iCloud.

What is your opinion on my crazy thoughts? Is this something you could see Apple doing to go the extra mile and provide even more privacy?

I doubt it. With the proliferation of free-to-use services where the consumer gives up personal data to those services, privacy doesn't mean that much to the average person in my opinion.