Cloud computing delivers hosted services over the Internet. It has key properties of being user-centric, powerful, and programmable. A network of computers functions as a single computer to serve data and applications to users via the Internet, offering massive computing power and storage. Individual users connect to the cloud from personal devices over the Internet, where the hardware and operating system are invisible. Cloud services provide applications like calendars and word processing via the cloud. Benefits include collaboration, access from any location, and lower costs compared to owning hardware and software.