First look at Google Drive
Filed under: cloud, cloud computing, Google, technology
Today I read about the launch of Google Drive. When I first saw the headlines/rumours a while back I thought, here we go again, another set of maps for me to download to make my driving easier.
I am happy to say I was totally on the wrong track (maybe I could have done with those maps!)
Google Drive is the latest offering to take your data and store it in “The Cloud”. I have to ask – exactly where is this cloud, and how big is it? Given that there are in excess of 1 billion personal computers in the world (according to Gartner, IDC and others), imagine what would happen if everyone uploaded their data to “The Cloud”. What’s actually keeping me awake at night is the fear that the world will one day wake up to a totally clear sky – ie NO CLOUD. Then what?
What is “The Cloud”
The Cloud refers to a grouping of computers that work as service based architecture to deliver data and software. The Cloud uses this group of computers to draw resources and treats them as a collective virtual computer. As users, we see the results in applications like facebook and Gmail. Behind this interface are applications and hardware that drive the interface. This collective virtual computer removes the need to have massive computer power in our homes and offices – rather we can rely on this virtual machine to store a lot of the applications and data in their hardware.
What is Google Drive and how do you get it?
Google Drive is a place to store your docs, pics, music and video in one place. You can create, share and collaborate through Google Drive.
The Google Docs application is built into Google Drive, and it syncs with your mobile phone/tablet. The beauty of that is if you make a change on one device, the stored/uploaded change is available to you on your next device used to access Google Drive.
Unlike some other Cloud based storage, Google Drive supports a range of platforms. You can download Drive to your PC or Mac. Currently it is available for Android devices and iPhone/iPad is coming soon.
A growing trend amongst the people I communicate with – both in business and private – is to send large (and I mean LARGE) files as an attachment. Mostly it serves to fill my inbox and sometimes use up monthly data allowances. With Google Drive, you can receive a link to those attachments and access them when required. This is a great way to reduce email bottlenecks.
Using the power of the Google search engine, you can search files by keyword, owner, and even by recognition. Google Drive uses optical character recognition to find scanned text (eg newspaper articles) and image recognition to search for stored pics. Whist still in its early stages, this will get better and even more exciting as it develops.
Another useful and fun feature of Google Drive is the fact that you can collaborate on a project with others – all accessing the same document at the same time. This is great for team members working on an assignment, sharing research, adding to family history, etc. Given the opportunity to make and save changes you did not want, you do have the ability to go back to a previous version from up to 30 days ago.
Many third party developers are building their applications to run in the Google Drive browser. It is expected that over 30 file types will be supported.
Pricing
Google gives you 5GB storage free, and you can purchase additional storage. Consumers can get 25GB storage for Drive, Picasa photos and extra Gmail storage for $2.49 per month. 100GB will cost $4.99 per month, all the way up to 16TB for $799.99. Business plans are available as well. If you have already paid Google $5 for 25GB Gmail storage, you will be able to upgrade to 25GB in both Gmail and Drive for $2.49 per month. Prices are quote in AUD referenced by The Australian.
When can you get it?
Google is rolling out Drive progressively over the next few weeks. I am looking forward to when Google Drive is available for me. To check if you have it yet, go to https://drive.google.com
Having used some of the other Cloud storage offerings (including Dropbox, and iCloud), I am keen to give Google Drive a go.
Dont forget this little nugget in the Google Drive EULA!
“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.”
This basically means that Google can do whatever they want with your content you upload, be they documents, photos or a backup of your tax for last year.
By contrast, Dropbox and SkyDrive both allow you to retain rights to your files. This begs the question, if you upload a photo to “the cloud”, do you want to retain exclusive ownership or are you happy to give Google rights to your stuff?
With respect to Skydrive and DropBox and rights to files – whilst they aren’t as aggressive with thier EULA, they are subject to the Patriot act – if you’re really concerned about rights, ensure the content is not stored on US territory.
Ummm Chris, Can you provide a link to this “EULA”?
I think Google Drive is a good initiative, but after reading through some analyses of their Terms of Service, you also do effectively allow Google control of your content, and they would be able to target ads based on what you’ve put on.
I’ve found SkyDrive to be superior to Google Drive, both in capacity they provide as well as add on features, such as easy Office document sharing, synchonisation between PCs and Macs, as well as access from all three major players in the smart phone market (Windows Phone, iOS and Android). SkyDrive also lets you access anything on your computer (provided it’s on) remotely and securely.
Google Drive does have the advantage of OCR on images though and would integrate well for Android users.
Google drive sounds like a good idea, the problem however is if you have a low quota broadband plan, like wireless plans. You really cannot use it as uploads and downloads to and from Google Drive will count towards your quota usage.
What would be great is if Telstra could provide access to Google Drive as unmetered date. So how about it Telstra?
John
Sounds good John, but then people will ask for unmetered content on Dropbox, Skydrive, Box or any other “cloud” solutions, don’t you think?
Where do you draw the line?
I personally use Dropbox and am quite happy with it thus far, have been using it for quite some time.
I’ve been a long time user of Google Docs and as such was keen to use Drive. But after reading the T&C and since trying out Skydrive I’m now in the process of transfering all my documents from Google Docs to Skydrive. I have to say I’m surprised you didn’t even give it a mention.
The timing of google drive launch and skydrive improvements was interesting, I have happily moved to skydrive myself from dropbox.
Just got access to it today – On the Web it’s not much different from Docs, except it has much, much better integration with Google+ etc.
It also has specific applications for phones, tablets and Desktops – The latter (Under Windows at least) let’s you add synchronization, so that when you drop a file into the folder on your desktop, it’s available to your other devices almost immediately. (By default it synchronizes everything, but it’s easy specify only some folders to sync.)
So far it looks well polished and easy to use.
My account got activated almost right away. I really love it. Google Docs, the actual document editor, is really, really nice. Without it, I’d probably use SkyDrive. But I love having it all integrated into Google too.
Why not use SkyDrive, better features, 7 GB initial storage for free (OR 25GB for free depending upon your qualification for 25 gb), I just got mine for two of my hotmail accounts (means 50 GB in total for free) and loving it, you can download an APP for your IPAD or PC or MAC and play around with it. So many features hard to explain in this little box.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/skydrive/home
Akash
Thanks for the heads up and link. What we are seeing is a range of options in this rapidly developing space. Several more will be around before we know it – I expect each the differentiator will be the features included /storage size – and how much do you get for the price.
I was about to mention Skydrive as a cheaper option. You beat me to it. I have read that Skydrive is the cheapest of all the main ‘cloud’ options out there and I am supprised Google didnt offer 25gig for free.
Anyone that has had a a Skydrive account (and thats anyone with a Hotmail or Live account) get the 25gig free but you need to log in and choose that free option.
I have used Skydrive for a few years now (it has been around for a while) and I am suprised how few know about it. I is great for saving any Office docs directly to it.
Make sure you upgrade to free 25 GB (For those who are eligible) ASAP. This is a limited period offer from Microsoft.
If you are slightly interested in privacy and security you might like to read this comparison of cloud services http://twitter.com/#!/jmacdonald/status/195184740209401856/photo/1
Yep!!! I got it this afternoon….. very nice
I tried both Skydrive and Google Drive. Impressed with both. Skydrive gives more free storage but the uploads are slow. Google Drive uploads are faster. There is an option to upload from the browser as well. Although I am an Apple Fan, both services give more user choice.
At this stage I am leaning towards Google Cloud.
Noel
Thanks for the link. It is important in every instance to read the full terms and conditions – when subscribing to a service.
… and continue to read the full terms and conditions each time your cloud provider revises them, as the possibility exists that youre rights and privacy may deminish with (each) new version.
Facebook is a good example of this and has on several occassions experienced public backlash as the result of changes to terms and conditons, and privacy breaches.
I have multiple Google Accounts with different companies and organisations. They have each been configured to enable multiple accounts to be signed in at the same time. Some of them have Google Docs enabled and some of them do not.
Since I opted in for Google Drive, I have experienced an issue with Google Docs where it keeps switching to another Google Account while I’m signed into multiple Google Accounts. This other account doesn’t have Google Docs enabled nor does it have Google Drive. So I have to sign into my original Google Account all the time to access a document.
It seems like something broke… anyway, back to Privacy Week: Google Drive Terms and Conditions…
Tim.
Michael,
Good product review just would like to note that the storage of Corporate Documents on an external storage environment is a breach of Telstra’s Security and Document Management policy.
Thanks Andrew.
A great point you raised – the one of security for your documents.
Its important to remember a couple of key things:
1. When yoiu push “i agree” to the terms and conditions – know what you are agreeing to. The Google EULA (end user licence agreement) gives them, on first glance, free access to your files. This is obviously a concern for corporates, hence the policy we have in place within Telstra (and I am sure with many other compaines) that public, external cloud based storage is not allowed.
2. If, once you have read the agreement and are ok with your data potentially being accessed by the Cloud owner, then use it and enjoy it.
3. If you have concerns about your data security, I suggest you contact the provider and ask them. Alternatively, as suggested by a couple of people on here, there are physical drives you can purchase the store your data away from the computer, but you do lose some flexiblity under that option.
I too fear waking up to a clear sky!!
I had a look at Microsoft’s cloud computing about 12 months ago. My need was to be able to access the OneNote app and OneNote repository from any location.
I found the Microsoft cloud to be too clunky – too slow with cut-down versions of apps. The whole web app thing was just a pain.
My cloud is now a 64GB SD card which I carry in my wallet. It gets sync’d to NAS from time to time when I am at home. And with a Win7 tablet, I don’t need to find a connection to access my files.
I’ve found the syncing via the local (in my case Mac) client to be good. Basically it “feels” similar to Dropbox.
The main reason for using it is if, like me, you are a heavy Google Apps user:
- Every Google Apps user automatically receives 5GB of free storage.
- Because it’s a core part of Google Apps, you don’t need to create new user accounts with a separate service provider.
- Additional storage is priced very competitively. (BTW – I’d be surprised if the above prices are in AUD. Google product pricing has always only been in USD.)
- Powerful sharing and access controls are built in.
I can’t comment on the privacy and security issues. (In my opinion that’s an issue that extends to all cloud services providers, and I view Google as being as trustworthy as Microsoft or Dropbox.)
I’ve been using Hotmail since and 1997 and have seen quite a few improvements with Hotmail and Windows Live in my time.
Recently, I started using Skydrive for my childrens school commitee and sporting meetings. While it has some great features, it is still unstable. Older versions of documents appear out of nowhere, comments to photo’s are not consistant and doubled up, archived data has disappeared – just to name a few problems.
Given these issues, I would not trust my most precious data (my family photo’s) on Skydrive or Google Drive. In a business sense this data requires the highest SLA target, and because the service’s are free there are no SLA’s. i.e. you can’t do squat if your data goes missing or is corrupted.
I still store my most important data on storage and backup I can control – hence I control the service level.
Would Telstra consider this any other cloud solution for its staff. Ability to store and access data from “a cloud” would boost productivity and save lots of trees in the process
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