Saturday, May 5, 2012

Google Drive: Google joins the Cloud Wars


Google has blown the bugle in the Cloud Wars by announcing the launch of Google Drive on 24th April,2012.
"Just like the Loch Ness Monster, you may have heard about Google Drive. It turns out, one of the two actually does exist." This is how Google introduced the long-awaited Google Drive. Google Drive includes 5GB of free space while paid plans start as low as US$ 2.49 (Rs 130) per month for an additional 25GB. If you are already a paid subscriber of a Google storage plan for Gmail or Picasa, you automatically get 25GB on Google Drive instead of 5GB.
Like any other service on cloud, Google Drive can be used to store, share and sync files across devices. However, this service marks a significant change in Google's philosophy of making money. In the past, revenues were generated by selling ads online - search ads and graphical display ads.

Key Features: 
  • Cheaper paid StorageThe price you pay per GB works out to a mere US$ 0.10 per month i.e., just Rs 5 per GB per month. 
  • Plays well with other Google servicesCan be used in conjunction with other Google services like Picasa & Google+ to transfer data. 
  • Offers enhanced searchSearch through your Drive using keywords or apply filters to sort data on the basis of file types. Google not only searches file names but the entire contents of each document for the search phrase. 
  • Google Docs users get instantly portedGoogle Docs is now a part of Drive. All files are instantly ported when you launch Drive for the first time. 
  • No learning curve for the serviceThe interface of Drive is the same minimalist UI that Google Docs had. There's no need to learn a new system. 
  • Supports multiple file formatsDrive lets you open over 30 file types in your browser window itself (including HD video and Photoshop files).
  • Local SynchronizationGoogle has a program you can download and install on your PC or Mac that creates a synchronized copy of your files on your local hard drive. Files you add to Google Drive in the cloud (in your browser) appear in the drive folder on your local machine, and vice versa. Dragging a file into your drive folder copies it into the cloud. 
  • Optical Character RecognitionGoogle scans the contents of PDFs and images for text and uses optical character recognition to convert the text to metadata you can search on 

Privacy Implications
However, a number of companies including 'The New York Times' have voiced their concerns about privacy and intellectual property implications of using Google Drive. By signing up to Google Drive, users give the tech giant a global license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify or create derivative works and to publish, publicly perform and distribute that content. In short you give Google right to do whatever they want to do with your data, one of those things being giving your information to law enforcement agencies without a subpoena. Google's terms-of-service agreement includes this language: "When you upload or otherwise submit content to our services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes we make so that your content works better with our services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content." 

Competition 
Not to be left behind, Microsoft has released a similar synchronization program for its rival SkyDrive cloud storage service and it too syncs cloud folders with local ones. But Microsoft's syncing software does not work on ancient Windows XP machines. 
Dropbox revealed a couple of new features. One is an expanded automated photo/video upload service that includes most cameras, PCs, tablets, connected SD cards and smartphones. After images are uploaded, users can view them on the Web from Dropbox's new Photo Page. Dropbox's second feature is that a simple link now can be sent to non-Dropbox users to share a file or folder. With one click they can preview the file in a browser, whether document, photo or video, without having to sign up for Dropbox. They won't be able to edit or change it in any way while it is in that queue, however.


Google Drive
MS SkyDrive
Dropbox
Apple iCloud
Free Storage
5 GB
7 GB
2 GB
5 GB
Maximum file size
10 GB
2 GB
300 MB via browser;
unlimited if uploaded from desktop
25 MB for free accounts;
250 MB for paying subscribers
Pricing Plans
25GB- $2.49 per month; 100GB- $4.99 per month; 1TB- $49.99 per month. Maximum plan is 16TB for $799.99 per month
20GB- $10 per year;
50GB- $25 per year;
100GB- $50 per year
50GB- $9.99 per month / $99 per year;
100GB- $199 per year / $19.99 per month;
1TB and up- starts at $795 for five users
10GB- $20 per year;
20GB- $40 per year;
50GB- $100 per year
Desktop apps
Windows and Mac (free)
Windows and Mac (free)
Windows, Linux and Mac (free)
Windows and Mac (free)
Mobile apps
Android (free), with an iOS version "coming soon"
iOS and Windows Phone (free)
Android, iOS and BlackBerry (free)
iOS


Which cloud service to use is the prerogative of the end-user/business however, the decision should include a lot many factors rather than just comparing specifications and prices. Its better to invest some time in a service and find out which one suits your needs better and then go for an upgrade.

Also read :

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-Rahul Mukherjee
MDI, 2011-13