Not too long ago, giving users the ability to access data anytime, anywhere via approved devices (a.k.a. cloud computing), was just an idea. More than anything, Apple has pretty much positioned itself for this kind of service, offering some highly potent hardware with an established user base. After a few fails, it seems like they will finally get the service right this time, under the new iCloud initiative.

Apple’s new service will allow user to play music purchased off iTunes across multiple Apple devices –as opposed to the early days when it used to be accessible on just one device, only that which is used for purchasing the track.  iCloud will offer 5 GB of free content, and will officially roll out this autumn. The rest of the content, including books, applications, documents and software, will also become largely available to devices running on Apple’s latest operating systems. Synchronization of online calendar, address books and e-mail across multiple devices are also made easy.

Divergent from early speculation, iCloud will not feature a music-streaming service. However, it is the boldest cloud service Apple’s put out, handling millions and millions of users using a foray of 10 different devices (maximum). This ambitious attempt is likely to attract the attention of Google and Amazon, who have already forged ahead onto the personal cloud battle field. Apple’s service will gravely affect the former two giants’ existing cloud offerings. Apple’s iCloud will serve as “the soul” that matches Apple’s hardware as “the brain.”

Forrester says that the industry is expected to grow $12 billion strong. Startups like Evernote and Dropbox have been working on this kind of service for some time now, but it seems like they could get trumped by big players in the tech arena, a phenomenon that subsequently happened with a series of Twitter apps.

On the other hand, Microsoft’s popular Kinect showed off at E3 gaming expo to prove something: it’s more than just a gimmick. Kinect’s previous choice of compatible games has been very limited, and the games are categorized under games for small children, party games or dance/exercise games. This time, it’s going to tackle the hardcore gaming demographic as well. Hardcore first–person shooter games that many thought couldn’t be made into a Kinect game, such as “Mass Effect” and “Ghost Reckon: Future Soldier” are included in the lineup of new games. Mass Effect will be using dialogue and squad commands, while the latter, voice commands and gestures to control gun and firing.

“In a game that already reacts to you, you’ll feel even more connected,” said Ray Muzyka, CEO of BioWare, the developer of “Mass Effect 3.”

However, Kinect still has a long way to go. Precision is not yet at its peak and users are likely to experience minor lags in mapping body movements. Still, Kinect is seen by Microsoft distinguished scientist Anoop Gupta as a stepping stone to the cloud computing revolution.

“The impact of gesture recognition will make a significant change to access to computing devices generally,” he says in an interview with “Globes.” “Kinect is a first step, and there’s still a long way to go in natural interaction between people and computers.” As far as the difficulties in the world of computing are concerned, according to Microsoft’s vision, Kinect and the technology behind it can save the day.”