Cloud

Apple's big iTunes tease

Could Tuesday be the day Apple (AAPL) lights up on its billion-dollar server farm in North Carolina, launching its entry into cloud computing? That's what the big tease that appeared on the front page of Apple.com Monday morning suggests. [UPDATE: See One more time: The Beatles on iTunes? and Behind the Beatles-iTunes deal.]

Among the threads that seem to be coming together this week:

The 500,000-square-foot data center in Maiden, N.C. -- MORE

Google code slip reveals new Docs features

Third-party Applications, Cloud Printers and Sync Services appear to be en route for Google Docs.

The unofficial Google Operating System Blog revealed today that Google may soon be offering some new features to its Docs service. The code was uncovered in a Docs webpage and seems to indicate three new features that have long been talked about as upgrades:

Cloud printing will allow users to print to any Cloud-enabled printer in the MORE

Drag and drop images in Google Docs

One of the nice features of desktop word processing now is available in the Google Docs Cloud.

Announced last night and only working on Google (GOOG) Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browsers, Google Docs can now handle the easy dragging of a document from your desktop into the browser page.  Little updates like this start to blur the line between desktop and cloud computing and will make it easier for people to move into MORE

Apple special event set for Sept. 1

Steve Jobs' annual music-themed event is coming a little earlier this year

Invitations to the press went out Wednesday afternoon for a special Apple (AAPL) event Sept. 1 in San Francisco. The text offered no hint of what might be in store, but there has been plenty of speculation leading up to it. Among the new products and services rumored to be on tap:

A new iPod touch, possible with a higher-res MORE

Google compares Office upgrade to Docs

Google's Docs service is a compelling alternative to the expensive Microsoft Office upgrade, especially for web-savvy collaborative organizations.

Microsoft is currently ramping up its extremely profitable Office 2010 updates but it may run into some competition it hasn't had to face since the Wordperfect/Lotus 123 era.  Google offers its Docs service as part of its online Apps suite for $50/user/year.

In a blog post titled 'Upgrade here', Google's Enterprise Blog presents a MORE