Video of "PC Free" Set Up of iOS 5 with iCloud

Monday June 6, 2011 6:06 pm PDT by Arnold Kim

This video shows the first setup of iOS 5 simply using your Apple ID, demonstrating one of the big new features of iOS 5 termed "PC Free".

With iOS 5, you no longer need a computer to own an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. Activate and set up your device wirelessly, right out of the box. Download free iOS software updates directly on your device. Do more with your apps — like editing your photos or adding new email folders — on your device, without the need for a Mac or PC. And back up and restore your device automatically using iCloud.

The video shows a user first setting up their iPhone by entering their Apple ID and password. iOS 5 then asks the user to set up iCloud and Find My iPhone, after which the iPhone is restored from backup with Apps being redownloaded in the background.

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Top Rated Comments

Andronicus

201 months ago

Hey..

When did we get up/down rank buttons? AWESOME! :D

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Michael Scrip

201 months ago

Uhh android has had this feature since day one. Remember Android doesn't need syncing software. And if someone wanted to they could use double twist which also had a wireless sync for some time. I have to say apple has added nothing new this time.

True... but think about this...

When someone brings home a new iPhone... and they plug it into iTunes (because they have to)... chances are they already had an iPod before. All their stuff gets synced to their new iPhone automatically.

However, when someone brings home a new Android phone... most people aren't technically savvy enough to drag a bunch of folders over to the phone... and/or manage their music themselves.

DoubleTwist? I know about it because I'm a geek... but it's far from being a well-known solution. Google Music and Amazon are great if you have an Android phone... but they are too new and still nowhere near mainstream.

Bottom line... every person I know with an iPhone had all of their music on it from day one.

My Android friends? They don't ever use their phones for music. I know people who have Android phones... and they still use their iPods.

I know that's just my anecdotal evidence... but it really rings true with the average consumer.

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

ten-oak-druid

201 months ago

Why PC Free? Not Mac free? Or computer-free?

Mac's are PC's too. PC = personal computer. It is not specific to an OS.

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

WestonHarvey1

201 months ago

Having used this for a few hours now, I've got to say the last time I saw an update to iOS that felt this important and significant was the introduction of the App Store.

You can hold your iPhones up high. Android has *nothing* on this. Better maps I guess, but that's it.

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)