The fact that there might not be an app that doesn’t get iCloud right could be because those apps that don’t get it right are the ones that aren’t published with iCloud at the first place. That said, even 'many' of those that do, are having problems and have to ship upgrades with alternatives. It means that developers aren't streaming music from iCloud because either its not possible to (via APIs) at the first place Or it wont go through the app review process, like bluetooth file transfer for music (which i agree to. buying music adds a whole new dimension to how you value it and thus enjoy it).
THAT said... I would encourage you to explore reputed developer networks like stackoverflow and read what app developers have to say (or even app developers who blog), about integrating icloud. A simple google search would do the trick.
When apple does introduce corrections (like CloudKit in place of Core-data with iCloud) it leaves a lot desiring for developers who have existing code and customer base in terms of having apis that take the load off bridging the gap.
Now coming back to the 'tone’… from the original post to the replies… were all centred around what iCloud could do and what I expect out from it as a user, both in terms of capabilities and pricing. It only makes sense to talk in terms of competition. Market economy thrives on competition where the customer is the king. That competition that establishes the fact that the competitors are making planes as well. Now if you call an android phone with google drive and a windows phone with onedrive, a car, while referring to an iphone with icloud as a plane... i can understand (in all humility)... that we are on the same boat. As i use many of such vague analogies to my mostly non-apple circle of people to defend why i keep investing in apple hardware (when it really is software and internet services which we buy a smart device for).
There is an app for everything. Sure... even to make farting sounds... that top the charts! I am sure, with that kind of chartbusting success, many would have integrated icloud as well to sync farting sounds across iDevices! (Pun intended).
When you complain of criticism (constructive or otherwise), I want to remind you of the original post (which was a straight forward question), your first reply to it and then my reply to yours….
I asked ..
"i was wondering if it is possible to backup my music folder in icloud drive and then be able to play music from it using 3rd party ios apps?"
... to which I gave context (with respect to the competition I seek to see my investment being above to, as justified earlier in this reply).
Instead of a simple yes or no and maybe some technical insight into why (which would had marked the answer solved and called it a day), you tell me its a controlled system. It only shows you do not understand the difference between controlled and curated (since otherwise you are keen in explaining how the word iCloud in both the services doesnt mean its interchangeable). And the reply to it (about me considering to other cloud services) was to that word 'though' at the end of the first sentence beginning your reply. If it was controlled then 3rd party apps might not be allowed to link to 3rd party cloud services at the first place. Maybe there wouldn't be 3rd party apps at all! And to my defence, its 're-invent the wheel' that set the tone. That reply wasn't even necessary. If you want to justify as to why iCloud is better in terms of pricing and capabilities, you should be willing to listen to as to why the original poster feels it is Not. In relevance to which i not only mentioned the ‘penalty’ but also what those penalties were (garbled playlists. and now to add, duplicate playlists, songs being replaced with a different version, songs missing as they are not available in apple music… least i would expect is to read about it upfront when signing on). And from the first post itself i have mentioned i have used the service (not just the free trial of it). I am sure with your fondness for the service (or a lack-of… for anything or anyone against it) you are already aware of it. But still if you have to say i didnt give references to those penalties... google is your friend! (Or maybe yahoo!)
85 million iCloud users is a small number to me for a company that has sold over a billion iPhones. Sure, many of them aren't even iCloud capable but then the numbers of iPhones sold each year has always been upwards and iCloud has been here since 2011. And we aren't even taking into account iPads and macs sold that could be the 'only' apple device a user 'might' have. That said... the numbers would had made some sense in terms of iCloud's worthiness (even within its user base)... if users also had the option to delete their iCloud account altogether!
iCloud wasn't mean to stream.
In all humility, it was my use of the word ‘stream’ in a later reply, that lead to the confusion. The truth is neither can. ‘icloud’ storage isnt (as i learnt from this thread) and iCloud music library is merely ’stores’ music in ‘icloud’, then downloads or buffers the track before playback. Its apple music that is really ‘music streaming’ albeit with the same technicalities (stored on devices or buffered and then played ) in coherences with the idea of 'streaming music' (from ‘competitors’ like in Spotify). But in all fairness, your pointing it out shows to me your focus ‘might’ not have been in explaining or solving an issue (as expected from your 'level' on this forum) but rather, maybe, to get back at me with what you feel is a 'threat' of non- constructive 'criticism' (as opposed to a simple… discussion).
Keeping in mind the history of these, ahem, 'discussions' forums as to how condescending participants with a higher ‘level’ can get on important topics like iphones bending, and antennas not working and home buttons failing, etc (until apple accepts the fact)… i do not blame you of the nature of your replies. its still better than the years of asking for solutions in microsoft’s newsgroups… it is still a ‘discussion’ of some sort.
ALL THAT SAID… a reality check (for all of us apple lovers) would be, as to how long are the users of a company’s products… willing to take such discussions… which, to anyone seeking ‘ease of use’ and ‘seamless integrity’ with a relevant pricing and distribution (compared to the competition)… which clearly comes across as evangelism.
Said that, i mark one of your post as solved and call it a day.
Peace.
