Q: New allias @icloud.com

The @icloud.com addresses are being rolled out over a period, and probably your account hasn't been upgraded yet to use it. In theory you should get an email telling you when this has been done - I didn't: you could just send a test message every few days until it works.

We keep hearing this on ASC, but where is Apples official announcement on this and the renewal upgrade/downgrade sate snafu???

On the subject of @icloud.com addresses: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5441 says

'It will take a few weeks for Apple to grant you access to your new @icloud.com email address. You will be notified by email when the process is complete.'

There's no published announcement ahout the renewal problem that I know of, but several people who have contacted Apple have been told it's being investigated.