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Google has entered the cloud drive segment with a big bang.
The search engine major will offer 5 GB of free space available for customers over the cloud, allowing them to access their data from a variety of digital devices connected to the Net.
Google will roll out this service in phases. The existing Gmail and other log-in restricted services of Google will get 5 GB of free storage up front. Users have been asked to register for notifications in different geographies.
Analysts see this as a disruptive offer, threatening the existence of several small and big IT firms, including Apple, offering cloud storage space for higher fee. In fact, Google has joined late in this category, where big names in technology space such as Apple and Amazon entered a few months earlier and generated huge interest.
A cloud drive with 25 GB would just cost $2.49 a month and a 100-GB drive would cost $4.99 a month. “Google Drive is a single place for all your files so you can access them anywhere,” a Google statement said. The other plans include (with price in brackets): 200 GB ($9.99), 400 GB ($19.99); 1 TB ($49.99); 2 TB ($99.99); 4 TB ($1999.99); 8 TB ($399.99); and 16 TB ($799.99).
Gmail offers up to 10 GB for messages and attachments in the new storage plan, while continuing free storage of 1 GB for Picasa Web Albums and unlimited storage in Google+.
“When you consume all of this, you can buy extra storage. You can upgrade to a larger storage plan at any time. You'll be upgraded to your new storage level immediately, and your credit card will be charged when you run out of storage credit,” Google said, while announcing the launch of Google Drive.
Analyst opinion
“Google has recognised the potential of shared cloud storage as a consumer hub or open platform that can be central to developing third party apps such as video editing, sending faxes, and creating Web sites,” Mr Mark Little, Principal Analyst at Ovum
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