Which of the following is NOT a feature of the Cloud?

The characteristic of cloud computing is defined by its ability to offer flexible and scalable resources, which allows users to pay for what they use without being tied down to a high, fixed expense. In a cloud environment, resources can be acquired on-demand, which means users can scale their usage up or down based on immediate needs, rather than paying a flat fee regardless of usage.

Additionally, cloud services are designed to be device-independent, enabling users to access resources from a variety of devices without needing specific hardware. The gradual addition of cloud resources over time allows for a more tailored and effective approach to resource management, accommodating varying project scopes and budgets. Thus, the idea that users must pay a high flat-fee irrespective of usage fundamentally contradicts the other core features of cloud services.