Google is keeping iCloud’s promises | PandoDaily
The difference between the two [Apple vs. Google Services]? Google’s services aren’t restricted to its own devices.
Apple developed iCloud for people who want to keep data in sync across their iOS and Mac devices. Besides rudimentary photo-sync support on Windows PCs, iCloud doesn’t allow any data in or out from, say, the Web or Android. Anyone wanting to make their data available on all of their devices without being restricted to Apple’s products must turn to other solutions, and that doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon.
All of that is true, of course. I don't disagree with Mott's conclusions, but I disagree with his expectations. When comparing Apple and Google, you have to follow the money. Google, first and foremost, is an internet services company. They don't care how or where you get on the internet, they just want you there. Using Google services, seeing AdSense-hosted ads, sending as much personal data back to Google as possible. Apple, on the other hand, is devices company. They make money when you buy a piece of hardware. iCloud is a way to, theoretically, make it easier to use all-Apple devices, thereby increasing lock-in to Apple's ecosystem. They don't want you to use iCloud on an Android phone because ad-based or even subscription-based services isn't their business model.
There is no doubt Apple needs to fix iCloud. It needs to live up to the "just works" promise. But to expect Apple to abandon the Apple-only lock-in approach ignores Apple's entire business model.