Cloud Storage from Google – Google Drive

by News

A few days ago, Google added another weapon to its arsenal – Google Drive. Simply put, Drive is Google’s version of cloud storage – say, Dropbox meets Google Docs.

As with any other cloud storage service, Google Drive lets you store your data online, edit/modify it as per your needs and share it with others and/or collaborate while working. Drive itself looks like an enhanced cousin of Google Docs – just that now you have the liberty to upload and store different file types.

The default storage space offered with Google Drive is 5 GB, though it can be upgraded to 25 GB at $2.49 per month, or 100 GB for $4.99 per month. Still need more? Well, there are plans to offer 1 TB of storage for $49.99 per month as well.

Also, if you decide to upgrade your Drive space (to any of the paid plans), your GMail account automatically gets upgraded to 25 GB of storage.

As of now, Drive has installable apps for Mac and PC, as well as Android, and Google claims to have an app for iOS soon.

Google Drive already seems to have a decent level of integration with Google Apps and Google+, and as the storage service expands, this integration is likely to improve as well.

However, at barely 4 days of age, Drive has received its share of criticism already – there are talks all around the internet regarding Google’s Privacy Policy with respect to the data uploaded on Drive. While Google indeed is quick to dismiss such accusations, speculations just won’t stop yet.

To know more about Drive, simply visit this page.

What do you think of Google Drive (and the associated privacy concerns)? Will you be using it? Let us know in comments.

Author: (43 Posts)

Sufyan bin Uzayr is a freelance writer and artist based in India. He writes for several print magazines as well as technology blogs, and has also authored a book named Sufism: A Brief History. His primary areas of interest include open source, mobile development, web CMS and vector art. He is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of an e-journal named Brave New World. You can visit his website, follow him on Twitter or friend him on Facebook and Google+.

  • http://www.learcapital.com/exactprice haljett

    I will admit the privacy issue is a concern for me but I think I understand their need to issue it like they have because of how they’ve moved to integrate all their products under one structure. I don’t see them using using people’s data because it would be a huge PR nightmare that could sink their efforts overnight. So on that end I think it was lawyer speak. But I do think they need to come out and reword or greater explain the intent behind the Privacy Policy language.

    Will I be using it? I don’t know. I actually use Evernote the most of all my cloud based options so I doubt it. The only thing I use Google cloud for is music storage.

  • Jamie

    I’d rather use SkyDrive (skydrive.com)… SkyDrive protects your content, whereas Google’s privacy policy states they can pretty much do anything with your content, they just can’t claim legal ownership of it.  SkyDrive comes with more space and integrates nicely with the rest of the live services.

    Here’s a good comparison article:
    http://www.neowin.net/news/comparing-skydrive-and-google-drives-privacy-policy

    • TimO12

      Me too!  Now they also have connectors for both PC + Mac and they sync nicely.  Really excited to see where skydrive is going.  Might purchase one of their storage plans since they have better rates than the competitors.

  • http://www.thesmashable.com/ Supertrand Ik
  • Andy

    I dislike intensly that they are saying “you do not own your own stuff, we do”.  no a safe proposition at all.  If for example you made a photo or a song that became world famous, they would be able to sell it without getting any extra permission from you.  Ok an extreme example but truthful.

  • http://www.wpsquare.com/ Bharat Chowdary

    Google drive is great, but their policies arent. Hope Dropbox will win the war.

    • http://amazeline.com/ John

      What kind of policy does Google Drive have? I want to give it a try.

    • Adriano Di Marco

       Unfortunatly Dropbox’s policies arent that good too…
      Even the Pro version of Dropbox doesn’t leave you all your rights on your files

  • http://www.contestheat.com/ YannisKar

    I think that I’ll stay to Dropbox that doesn’t redirect me to Google Docs when a want to work on something..

  • http://www.tricksmachine.com/ Vishal Gaikar

    I am disappointed with Google drive feature, I thought they will come up with something different. but I think Dropbox is still winner.