Google Drive set to bring cloud computing closer

Cloud computing gets a new boost with the launch of Google Drive. You could say it heralds the democratisation of cloud technology.

Nandagopal Rajan

Print Edition: 01 Jun, 2012

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The Cloud, one of the most repeated buzzwords in the world of computing, is finally coming down to earth. Yes, we are all using some element of cloud computing in our daily digital lives, but we will be doing more so now that the technology has got the big Google stamp. We could say this is the democratisation of the cloud.

To start using Google Drive, you will need to request activation. The drive takes about 24 hours to start working. Once you get the go ahead, it will appear as a tag on your Google page and you can log in for this. From the start, your Google Drive will have all files from Gmail which you chose to open using Google Docs. The next step is to download the Google Drive application to all computers that you use. Once installed you have a Google Drive folder in My Documents, where you can copy any file you care to sync to the cloud. The folder will also sync anything that you have on the cloud to it. So if you saved a filed using the Android app from your phone to the drive, it will appear on all your computers where you have installed the drive.

The other great feature is Google Drive's ability to open file types, for which you might not have the relevant software. For instance, it can open a PDF file even if you don't have Acrobat on the machine. For this it will use the help of Software as a Service (SaaS) companies like SlideRocket and Nivio (see box). You can do most of the basic editing on the drive itself and also collaborate on the file with multiple partners by sharing the same through mail. The Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology used by Google also lets you search within the contents of your files, even if they are scanned documents.

Like most other cloud services, Google Drive too comes with 5 GB of free space. You can upgrade to a 25GB account for $2.49/month, 100GB for $4.99/month or even 1TB for $49.99/month. Upgrades mean your Gmail storage will also expand to 25GB.

CUMULUS EFFECT
You could also find these cloud services useful for your work

Adobe Creative Cloud
The new Adobe Creative Suite 6 is undoubtedly one of the best tools kits for the design, web and video professionals, with 14 features applications coming packed with hundreds of upgrades. However, what really gives the software an edge is the launch of the Adobe Creative Cloud, which allows people who have the new CS6 to access all software in their package on the cloud. For instance, if a photographer wanted to edit a photo from a public computer, he just has to log into his account from any computer to use the required Photoshop tools. This cloud will also let users be creative on devices like the tablet, even letting them check how their content will work on these new formats.

nivio
You might know nivio as a cloud desktop service that made news a couple of years ago. The company has now launched services that let you open and edit most Microsoft Office files from Google Drive. With a nivio account you can also have a Windows desktop in the cloud, to which you have access from any computer anywhere. The beauty of this service is that while it gives free storage and software, you will also be able to rent software on a monthly basis depending on the projects you are working on. Initially, all software is free for 30 days. Sachin Dev Suggal, chief wizard at nivio, thinks this model will make his service an ideal option for students as well as cost conscious companies. However, nivio for Google Drive is not yet available in India.

4shared/4sync
4shared, and its PC programme 4sync, work like any other cloud service, syncing your stuff online and letting you access them from anywhere. But this service also has a whole new dimension where it lets you access other cloud services from its platform. For instance, it will let you open all your photos from Picasa, files from Gmail and everything on DropBox online using the 4shared.com website and login. The service, which is gaining popularity as a cloud hub, will also sync all files from the cloud to your 4sync folder. There are apps available for mobile devices and tablets too.