Foresight often isn’t enough in the technology industry, without good timing and execution.

Apple will be testing this theory once again with the upcoming release of its iCloud synchronization service, along with the new iOS 5 operating system. As an alert GeekWire reader points out, the promotional video that Apple released for iCloud yesterday, above, looks a lot like the vision that Microsoft laid out for its Live Mesh synchronization service three years ago.

Microsoft is still pursuing the strategy, using Windows Live SkyDrive and related services to synchronize content between Windows Phones, computers and other devices. But as noted in the past by Ars Technica and AllThingsD, the company has struggled to come up with a comprehensive, cohesive service that makes the experience as seamless as the company envisioned years ago.

Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 promises to improve the situation, giving every Windows user a SkyDrive account for synching content, applications and settings.

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