GDrive, Google’s answer to Mozy and Live SkyDrive / Mesh, may be very close to launch.
First, a new sub-domain has been been added to google.com at http://gdrive.svc-1.google.com/ though it continues to point at the main homepage of Google.
Second, a blogger has discovered certain lines in a localization file of Google Pack further confirming the news that Google GDrive is almost here.
The translator has put GDrive product in the "Online file backup and storage’" category and goes on to describe the actual product as:
1. GDrive provides reliable storage for all of your files, including photos, music and documents.
2. GDrive allows you to access your files from anywhere, anytime, and from any device - be it from your desktop, web browser or cellular phone.
GDrive Pro?
There’s no word about GDrive’s storage capacity yet but I am hoping that Google will consider providing a pro version of GDrive similar to Gmail and Picasa Web Albums where people can buy extra storage space in case their free quota is exhausted.
Google has been planning an online file storage service for more than a year now and the initial plan was to tie all the other Google storage services around GDrive. So if you files stored in Picasa Web Albums or Google Docs or GDrive, you will be able to find all these files with a single keyword search.
WSJ also wrote that GDrive could have a desktop client for uploading files online in addition to the regular Web-based interface. That makes perfect sense. You should be able map GDrive in Windows Explorer and access online files just like another other local hard drive. Let’s see.
Google GDrive – Getting Started Guide
Philipp shares a PDF that talks in detail about installing and using the Google GDrive on PC, Mac and the web. Here’s a summary:
1. GDrive (or Google Web Drive) will provide a desktop client for Mac and Windows allowing you to access online files through the file explorer.
2. Files uploaded to Google Web Drive will also be available from a special folder inside your Google Docs dashboard.
3. To upload local files to your GDrive, you can simply drag and drop these from the desktop onto the G: (or another mapped) drive inside windows explorer.
4. Unlike Windows Live SkyDrive that allows public file downloads, Google Web Drive may only allow private sharing of files.
5. The PDF document puts the storage capacity as 10 GB.
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/internet/google-gdrive-for-online-file-storage/6899/
Tags: Archives, gdrive, google, online storage, Internet
Reader Comments
This is great find Amit! I hope they provide a syncronization client like Mozy does. Unfortunately Skydrive doent have a desktop client, which makes syncing a pain, so I prefer Mozy, but Mozy is limited to 2 GB for free accounts.
Anyway Online storage is a boon for backing up of crucial data and after so much research by Google we can expect a top notch product, nothing less.
Written by Vikram on 01.30.09
so there is gonna be tough competition between Live SkyDrive and GDrive…
Written by Fasil on 01.30.09
With Google’s reputation for privacy, I wonder how this will fly with the “compliance” crowd.
Written by Sumo Backup on 01.30.09
Sounds great!
I’m a big fan of Google, and can’t wait to see how this will change things.
I think this could be very big!
Written by Roger on 01.30.09
Cloud computing technology would be another revolution on Public net (Internet).
Google’s GDrive , MS SkyDrive Good sign for End Users.
Written by Balaram on 01.31.09
One small point: gdrive.svc-1.google.com isn’t a new subdomain; svc-1.google.com allows wildcard subdomains.
e.g. labnol.svc-1.google.com
Written by Tony Ruscoe on 01.31.09
Thank you Tony for pointing that sub-domain part. The gdrive sub-domain is indexed by google as well so may have some connection.
Written by labnol on 01.31.09
From an Indian internet users’ perspective, a drive in the clouds won’t have much benefit till uploading speeds increase. My 2 mbps connection has a download speed of upto 2 mbps but upload speeds max out at 200kbps
Written by cherian on 01.31.09
Ultimately GDrive will foster usefulness for the people online. This tool will be a monster for the others proving the same services.
Written by TechPrism: Riddhi Mohan on 01.31.09
Google Unofficially Announces GDrive By Leaked Code-
link
Written by TechPaparazzi on 01.31.09
For serious SkyDrive use. i recommend Gladinet. i bet it will be also the best way to use gDrive.
but 10gbs?.. hah. that is the amount Live Mesh is supposed to launch with. skydrive is 25. so not much of a competition for Microsoft.
Written by Avatar on 01.31.09
Google drive will never succeed. There are issues related to security of documents and privacy. Windows will continue to be the OS of the future. Google’s dream of toppling it from its throne will never succeed.
Written by Virtual Web Symphony on 02.01.09