GigaOm is citing an anonymous tipster who says Apple recently snapped up the domain name from a Linkoping, Sweden-based desktop-as-a-service company called Xcerion. Xcerion acquired a new domain called CloudMe.com on April 5, and Apple reportedly shelled out $4.5 million for iCloud. We've reached out to Xcerion for comment.
Although we've lately been hearing that Apple is primed to launch its cloud-based music service, this alleged purchase doesn't mean that it will be called iCloud -- Apple purchased the domain name iSlate in 2007, and we all know that the company's tablet received a much less glamorous name in the end.
Meanwhile, Google has also reportedly been snapping up cloud- and music-related domains (although its rumored music service seems to have been stalled by label negotiations).