Apple takes on Dropbox and WhatsApp with integrated apps
Apple has taken on Dropbox and WhatsApp with a series of software upgrades that mimic the rival apps' services.
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At its annual conference for software developers, the firm unveiled iCloud Drive, an internet-based storage app, which works on Apple systems and PCs.
In an effort to keep customers using all its technologies, Apple improved integration for calls and messages across its devices.
It also unveiled new mobile and desktop operating systems.
Apple's iMessage app was given extra features, some of which are similar to rival service WhatsApp, recently acquired by Facebook for $19bn (£11.3bn).
Users will be able to easily create and modify group messages, send voice clips with a single swipe, and even create and exchange short video clips.
The ability to send and receive text messages across all Apple devices was also introduced.
Jan Koum, WhatsApp's co-founder, reacted to Apple's announcement by tweeting:
"Very flattering to see Apple "borrow" numerous WhatsApp features into iMessage in iOS 8 #innovation"
Apple also introduced HealthKit software that works with third-party wearable health devices.
A parallel app, called Health, measures users' personalised healthcare statistics, and even contacts their hospital directly if it notices irregularities.
iCloud Drive allows users to save any type of file on the firm's remote servers and then access it via an iOS device, Mac computer or Windows PC.
Users do not have to pay an extra fee unless they want use more than five gigabytes of storage.
That is more than Dropbox's 2GB sign-up allowance, but less than Google Drive's 15GB provision, Microsoft One Drive's 7GB limit and Box's 10GB cap.
Apple's service includes the ability to email attachments of up to 5GB, something also offered by Dropbox and HighTail - a specialist data-sharing facility.
However, Apple made no mention of iCloud Drive being accessible via Android, unlike the other services that offer apps via Google's Play store.