This article was published in 2011 and updated in October 2026.
In 2011, cloud computing was the buzzword of the IT world, and consumers were just discovering services like Dropbox and Apple’s brand-new iCloud. Cloud computing simply means running applications and storing data with internet-based providers instead of on your own computer — Gmail being the classic example. We made five predictions about where consumer cloud computing was heading. Here they are, with how each one turned out.
1. Cloud services beyond email and storage will reach consumers
Then: Consumers mainly used the cloud for email and file storage.
Now: Right. Streaming music and video, photo libraries, office apps like Google Docs and Microsoft 365, password managers, cloud gaming and AI assistants all run in the cloud. For most people, the cloud is now where their digital life lives.
2. Smartphones will become the hub for cloud apps
Then: We expected smartphones to become the main way people use cloud services.
Now: Spot on. Phones back up photos, messages and settings to the cloud automatically, and switching to a new phone usually means simply signing in. Most people access their cloud services far more often on a phone than on a computer.
3. Home users will dabble in “thin” clients
Then: We predicted cheap, cloud-focused computers for users who mainly work online.
Now: Largely right. Chromebooks — inexpensive laptops built around the browser and cloud — became hugely popular, especially in schools. Even gaming has partly moved to the cloud with streaming services. Powerful local PCs remain important for gaming, creative work and, increasingly, running AI on the device.
4. Freemium will dominate the cloud
Then: We expected free basic versions with paid upgrades, competing with subscriptions.
Now: Both won. Free tiers with paid upgrades are everywhere (Google One, iCloud+, Dropbox), and subscriptions have become the standard business model for software from office suites to photo editing.
5. The cloud will fuel the Apple–Google rivalry
Then: We worried that consumers would get stuck between incompatible ecosystems.
Now: Partly true. Apple’s and Google’s clouds still work best on their own devices — iCloud has no Android app, though it can be used in a web browser and on Windows. At the same time, cross-platform services such as Microsoft 365, Dropbox, Spotify and many password managers thrived exactly as we expected, because they work everywhere.
What’s next for cloud computing?
The next chapter is being written by artificial intelligence, much of which runs in huge cloud data centres. Data protection, the location of data and the energy use of data centres are becoming more important topics, and some processing is moving back onto devices for speed and privacy. Read more about how the cloud drove the BYOD revolution and how people use cloud services in daily life.
Nishadha
Nov 14. 2011
I feel cloud computing is still understood only by the technology crowd. The number of users who are aware of this is growing but it will take some time for this to become mainstream.
Paul Salmon
Nov 14. 2011
While Cloud computing looks good, many people may not have trust in having their data stored somewhere other than on a computer they own. That is understandable, but I’m sure as cloud computer evolves, then things will change.
With the number of mobile devices in use climbing, I can see cloud computer getting used more and more.
admin
Nov 14. 2011
Yep you’re right ….
PrIyAnGsHu
Nov 14. 2011
Great post dude ! The future of cloud computing seems to be very bright .
Eric Greenwood
Nov 16. 2011
Thanks guys, I’m really excited to see what the future has in store. Technology is evolving so quickly it seems that almost anything is possible. I have a feeling Apple will dominate the cloud over Google. Google seems so be spread to thin lately with all their new services that I think people will become jaded by their brand.
Mart
Nov 17. 2011
I have heard about this cloud computing but never know about its future scope. Thanks for letting us know. Nice Share.
admin
Nov 17. 2011
You’re welcome Mart ..
Kirsty
Nov 17. 2011
I’ve heard vaguely about cloud computing here and there, but didn’t really understand what it meant. Thanks for clearing it up. I can see vast potential in the clouds, and it will certainly be interesting to see how it comes out between Apple and Google. Thanks for the post!
admin
Nov 17. 2011
you’re welcome & thanks for stopping by my blog ….
Alex
Nov 20. 2011
Cloud computing is THE most assinine idea ever conceived in IT. After spending decades and dollars to learn how to keep information secure on a LAN, we’re supposed to jump for joy at the prospect of putting our information on the WWW/WAN (in the full control of others) and feel secure?
admin
Nov 20. 2011
Although now the cloud is not much secure but it might probably be in future
Nisar
Nov 22. 2011
This article does make the term more clearer. Nice one.
admin
Nov 23. 2011
Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
Jack
Nov 30. 2011
Nice post, informative too, A simple example of cloud computing is Yahoo email, Gmail, or Hotmail etc. You dont need a software or a server to use them.
admin
Nov 30. 2011
Yes exactly …
Olan
Dec 01. 2011
Good article… I know Kindle Fire is using this technology with its browser…
shashank chinchli
Dec 10. 2011
Cloud computing is the future!CLoud computing is now part of daily lyfe you can say!
good post buddy!
Puneet
Feb 08. 2012
Future of cloud computing is bright I hope.
ปั้มไลค์
Jun 07. 2020
Like!! Thank you for publishing this awesome article.