Web Stuff

Will Google's Gdrive kill off the desktop?

2009 is the year that cloud computing will change our lives. Fact.

Google, Microsoft and Apple have all been developing cloud-based virtual services for some time now, but it looks as if this year will see computing make the paradigm shift into the ether, with more and more rumours suggesting that a Google "GDrive" is just around the corner.

This will mean more information storage and processing done on remote servers, freeing up our hardware to be skinnier and sexier and our computing to be truly mobile.

Now, on paper, Google has by far the most experience in this area – the
company was founded on web services, so will it have the edge
against Microsoft and Apple, who have also thrown their hats into the
cloud computing ring with SkyDrive and MobileMe?

Google's GDrive would basically provide online storage through Google servers – enough for the entire contents of your hard drive. You'd be able to access all your desktop files remotely, via a web interface, and there'd be tight integration with a host of Google services – Docs, Gmail, Picasa, etc

And unlike its competitors GDrive will probably offer unlimited storage free of charge, whereas SkyDrive will offer 25GB free, although limited to 50MB per file.

Apple's MobileMe asks for a subscription for its web, desktop and mobile love-in and, as we've seen it's got a long way to go.

Now, of course, there's likely to be a quid pro quo, and it's likely to be exchanging a piece of your privacy for these free services. Just like GMail, Google is likely scan your (authorised) web-based files in order to deliver targeted advertising.

Personally, that's something I can probably live with – I mean, it's not as if Google is going to rip off its mask and reveal a lizard visage, before using the entire world's personal information to enslave us all.
Are they?

What do you think? Are you backing cloud computing? Which services will you use when you do move skyward? Let us know below...

Read our CES Trends – Cloud Computing piece here

Published Wednesday, January 21, 2009 11:38 by Linsey Fryatt

nswdunn January 21, 2009 12:20

I think the only people that have the need to use online storage and free up their hard drive, are the people that have stacks of illegal downloaded movies and music. I cant see them trusting google with holding onto this data and having the ability to scan the content.

Ruth Owen January 21, 2009 12:30

The only brown lining around my cloud is the atrociously snail-like UK internet speeds. I'd love to free up my storage space but don't relish hours of blue bar time.

chapmanmania January 21, 2009 22:37

@nswdunn not quite. I'd rather use cloud computing resources as a secondary backup solution. It'd be extremely useful to a> backup files off site (which would come in handy if your house burns down/robbed) and b> to access all your digital media wherever you are. That needn't be for illicit purposes.

However, I almost allowed myself to get excited about Skydrive, then found that there wasn't an easy upload/downloa facility. I think PhotoGallery has the option to upload, but then found I actually have nearer 30GB of images.

ftack January 22, 2009 08:16

Hi Linsey. Full disclosure here: I work for www.nomadesk.com, which offers easy and secure file sharing, wherever you are. I read your post on Google's GDrive with great interest and just wanted to add NomaDesk to the mix.

In fact, NomaDesk has similar features and is geared towards the need of the "digital nomad". We are convinced that the more data gets synchronized, the more likely it gets compromised. Therefore, NomaDesk includes an encrypted virtual drive that keeps your files securely available off-line and remote file shredding and IP-tracking with TheftGuard. Of course, we impose no limits on storage and bandwidth.

The current NomaDesk release 2.6 displays file states and indicate whether files are already in use by someone else. You are also able to add and review notes (i.e. meta-data). The Mac version is on its way.

I would appreciate your review.

SUPER BLOG.JP January 23, 2009 15:02

Web Stuff : Will Google...

Chris LG January 26, 2009 16:34

Absolutely backing this, and will use it all the time. I'm constantly trying to get everything off local drives and onto the cloud.

In fact I recall google experimenting with the gmail drive shell back in around 2003, where they were using excess gmail space as drive storage, to a maximum of 1gb though.

Carl Weinschenk January 30, 2009 13:15

Cloud computing will get a lot more real during the year ahead. One sure sign is that Microsoft -- which makes software that cloud computing aims, to some extent, to render obsolete – is set to make three announcements. Last year, the company introduced..

Creativesuit blog » The UK Suddenly goes Twitter MENTAL January 30, 2009 16:38

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