Google has finally launched its cloud storage service Google Drive. This online service can be compared to Dropbox, Box, iCloud and Skydive but Google Drive can be a potential thread to them. For now Google restyled and renamed its Google Docs which now is called Google Drive, free from the beginning with 5GB and of course possibilities to extend till even 16TB for businesses.
For months there were rumors and leeks of pictures and even video presentations but finally Google launched its %GB cloud storage service, Google Drive. The new storage service is integrated with Google Docs and allows to access files from anywhere and you can even collaborate on documents with colleagues or friends. Google Docs is built into Google Drive which means you can work with others, in real time, on documents presentations and spreadsheets.
Google server
Since the uploaded files are all stored on the servers of Google (hence cloud) these will be available everywhere and anytime. Of course you must have an Google account to benefit from this online cloud storage service. Google Docs has now been replaced by Google Drive and offers its users 5GB free but also offers monthly payment for extra storage. Users can upgrade their Drive space to 25GB for 2,49 dollar a month, 100GB for 4,99 dollar a month and 1TB for 49,99 dollar a month.
Start using it
To start using it you can go to. Dirve.google.com/start to get started if you are currently a Google user. If you are not a user this page also serves to sign up for an account to start using Google Drive and all the benefits and apps of Google. You will have to download one small piece of software to your local computer which basically installs a place on your computer where you can just drag and drop files you want to upload to Google Drive. These files can be PDFs, videos, photos, adobe products like photoshop or indesign and much more.
So with Google Drive you can create and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets and presentations ans store everything safely to access it anywhere, especially when you are mobile. The mobile apps also updated from Google Docs to Google Drive.
Third party
Google Drive is already built to work seamlessly with all Google products available like for instance Google+ where you can post uploading from Google Drive. Soon there will be more possibilities and this can be very promising. Also, Drive is an open platform which allows third-party developers to create apps like send faxes, edit videos, create website mockups and even more. These apps will be available in the Chrome Web Store.