iCloud set-up: existing Apple ID and new @me.com ID
Hi all:
I have just downloaded OS X 10.7.2, and am currently downloading iOS 5 (or at least trying to).
I have not yet set up iCloud since I'm not totally sure how best to do it.
Here is my situation:
I currently have an Apple ID which is a single word (created years ago when iTunes first came out). Let's call that "matthew."
The email associated with that Apple ID we'll call "matthew@example.com."
My "matthew" Apple ID is what I use for iTunes, the App Store, Game Center, this discussion forum, etc.
What I want to do is create a new @me.com ID, which I'll call "matthew@me.com," and then use that as my new primary email address. Also, I would like to use this with iCloud.
I know that Apple does not allow IDs to merge, meaning I can't have my old "matthew" Apple ID become a part of my new "matthew@me.com" ID.
So, I believe my only option is to have two Apple IDs: my existing "matthew" Apple ID and my new "matthew@me.com" ID. Right?
However, I am not sure how best to do this.
If I set up a new "matthew@me.com" ID in iCloud, how will iCloud know all my previously downloaded apps and music that were downloaded using my "matthew" Apple ID?
Will I be forced to continually sign in and out within apps such as the iTunes Store?
And what if I simply wanted to try iCloud right now using my existing Apple ID? I know that first I would have to change that ID ("matthew") to an email address, right? And then I would sign into iCloud.
But what if I later decided no, I want iCloud to be administered through a new @me.com ID? Can I sign out of iCloud, set up "matthew@me.com," then sign back into iCloud and start using it with the new @me.com ID?
My main concern is that I do not want to close any doors on myself by setting things up in the wrong order.
Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.7)