Apple loses senior iCloud executive on eve of cloud storage system launch

John Herbold, senior product manager of Apple's forthcoming iCloud service, has left the company unexpectedly for a new career in the healthcare industry.

Herbold joined Apple in 2006 and initially worked on the MobileMe platform. When Apple announced the iCloud service Steve Jobs was less than complimentary about MobileMe, calling it not the company's finest hour, but acknowledged it had laid some of the groundwork of the iCloud service.

"I must give a big nod to Apple. It is an incredible company, and I was privileged to have a seat at the table over the past four years," said Herbold on his personal blog.

"I learned a tremendous amount and got to work with amazing people. It's an experience I will always cherish and never forget."

Herbold's departure comes as Apple is planning to start the iCloud service, alongside the release of iOS 5, this autumn. He survived the transition of MobileMe to iCloud, but has now moved into developing HealthTeacher educational software, which instructs children on preventative medicine.

"Applying his experience developing world-class interactive products, John will lead our efforts to broaden digital engagement with kids, their families and their teachers, all focused on measurably improving youth health," said Scott McQuigg, chief executive of HealthTeacher.

The signs are that the iCloud service will be very popular. A research note from analysts at RBC Capital Markets said that over three-quarters of iOS 5 users are expected to take up their free accounts, and nearly a third will pay for the iTunes music matching service.

As less welcome evidence of the popularity for the service, Apple is also facing a lawsuit over ownership of the iCloud brand and has also inspired a barrage of poisoned search results laden with malware.