Ain't Nuthin' But a G-Drive
According to a tantalizing story in the
Wall Street Journal this week,
Google is reportedly
preparing
a service that will allow users to store all of their PC-based files --
including documents, music and even video -- on its servers. The upcoming Internet-based
service would allow users to get at their information not just from desktop
systems but through a range of different mobile devices. Not only will users
be able to access their files remotely, but they'll also be able to share them
more easily with business associates or friends online.
Given Google's growing influence and position in the market, if this service
proves successful, it could prove to be the watershed moment that triggers a
broad-based shift to Web-based computing.
According to the Journal, Google will offer users some free storage
along with additional storage they'll have to pay for. While the company hasn't
confirmed when it would formally introduce the service, the article said it
could be released "as early as a few months from now."
Google, of course, will have plenty of competition in this space as more and
more businesses and consumers become increasingly interested in accessing their
applications and files over the Web. Competitors such as Microsoft and Salesforce.com
have established large data centers dedicated to storing massive amounts of
business and consumer data.
Perhaps tellingly, Microsoft isn't mentioned much in the Journal story,
even though Windows Live has a product in this space, namely
SkyDrive, now in beta. The product will offer up to 1GB of free storage.
Redmond's also cooking up another product, called Office
Live WorkSpaces, which offers online storage and access to documents via
its Office suite of desktop applications. It'll be interesting to see over the
next few months if Microsoft starts to pump up its marketing machine for these
products and services as Google gets closer to launch with its upcoming service.
Posted by Ed Scannell on November 29, 2007