Google’s long rumored but never delivered online storage product GDrive (code name Platypus) may finally be on its way, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The continued no-show of the fabled Google online storage product was best parodied in an internal Google video that leaked in August, where a Google employee wrote of the service “I’ve been ready to launch my product since 2002 … At least round here 5 years ain’t so long overdue.”
Our coverage stretches back to May 2006 with references to “Google Drive,” “a place for users to store 100% of their data online” in a company presentation and in October 2006 there was a confirmed GDrive client being used by Google employees.
There isn’t a lot new in the Wall Street Journal report that hasn’t been said of the service previously, with the exception of product related tie-ins to existing (but relatively new) Google services such as Google Docs, and also mention of access via mobile phones as well. The Journal suggests that the service could be launched “as early as a few months from now.”
Google has long since lost first mover status in online storage, with a range of startups competing against Microsoft, AOL and even Apple (with dotmac) in providing online storage space. GDrive though is a natural fit amongst Google’s range of products, particularly at a time it is pitching its services to small business. An online storage product at the right price fits well with Google Apps packages and may also find favor with Google’s increasing base of internet service providers using Google products as a value add to customers.
The GDrive will debut – but it will probably have advanced features like offine – online syncing and mobile access.
Or map-reduce
Can you imagine the demoralizing notion for those who have founded and built on-line storage services? I mean, really. Although the most successful and niche players will probably survive the blast, it can’t be a great feeling.
YDRIVE (unrelated to YHOO) set to debut 2008.1.1, will be appable and supports OpenSocial (yeah, that’s what OpenSocial called persistence..)
Wow…Is coming GDrive? In the past there was some virtual HD that did not work well..
When can we see GSpot by Google?
And to think, I was about to buy a year’s worth of backup service from Mozy.com just yesterday.
I wish they would hurry up and debut Platypus/GDrive so we can determine if its a viable option in the backup arena.
Is it all that strange that I don’t believe! Sign up to Mozy Ravi. This stuff is still vaporware.
Gmail is my Gdrive
Well, there is something happening alright. There are some people on Wakoopa using it: http://wakoopa....ftware/platypus, maybe some testing Google employees?
it makes sence because it is google, and size is large, otherwise it would be too late to go into storage business
The hard drive on my computer is starting to get a bit obsolete.
This is good. I might use it. I wouldn’t trust anyone except Google to be competent enough to store my data and not lose it, or, even worse, deliberately erase it when internal corporate strategies change.
Now I can stop storing files in my Gmail account.
http://www.fakesportsblogs.com
What happens if the G-Drive crashes???????????????
Google has just announced a new Social Network for Lapdancers called GString.
Google has just announced they are working on a Broadband Service that is faster than the speed of sound. The GWhiz is coming very very soon.
Google has just announced a new Mobile Service called G.e.ni.us which turns dumb kids into Harvard geniuses – by giving them answers to every single question possible, via Mobile Phone Texts.
Google has just announced the opening of a new research wing at their HQ called the GSpot. So far only females have joined up, as all of the male employees have failed to find the signs for the GSpot.
Another day. Another Google announcement.
Can we all stop going Ga Ga over Google.
In my opinion most of google products needs further development.
Whoohoo! This is exactly what I need…. So, when do we stop shipping literature in volume and turn this into a product?
This would be great news, but definitely more security concerns. I already rely on Google/Gmail too much as it is…
I am inside your internets storing all your bits.
I too already use gmail for storage. I can get my files from anywhere.
http://www.floors4u.net/
Here’s hoping. Though I need them to give us a reasonable amount of space – 25-50 GB. I’m sure designing GDrive software wasn’t the hard part, implementing the architecture on the back-end at a reasonable price might be another issue.
“Rhuggle is a non-factor for us, they are at best an annoyance, a rash in an inconvenient place!”
They all looked at me with that fake confused look, so I went on to explain:
“Google is not ahead of us, In the area of search specifically, Google would lead.”
At that point, a dozen hands went up, “rista Ballma-san, rista Ballma-san! rista Ballma-san, rista Ballma-san!”
I ignored them all!
I wasn’t going to fall for that MSJp44 acknowledgement thing again, so I decided to have a little fun with them:
“Rhuggle is a bunch of boy scouts with no den-master! They are just a bunch of spoiled rich kids on a perpetual holiday, no order or discipline. They only exist in that I allow it, I find them amusing, it’s like watching a house on fire or some other tragedy, you know it’s repulsive but you just can’t look away!”
The reporters were taking in my words like Saki, they just couldn’t get enough! So I decided to throw them one more bone!
“I have to go now, but since I’m on Rhuggle, let me say this about this ‘Android” thing they announced: It is just like the rest of Google ..ahem, I mean Rhuggle, IT ONLY EXIST ON PAPER! Don’t fall for this vaporware, rumors, fake-half-baked hype that they peddle!”
Most of the chatter on the GDrive seems to be focused on using it for offline storage. I actually think the more interesting concept here is using it (or something like it) as your primary storage and synchronizing the files you need to all your devices on demand.
In other words, don’t carry around your files (or stuff them on an external hard drive under your desk) – let them live in the cloud.
Of course Google is going to have to step up with more than a few gigs of space and a pretty fancy synchronization strategy but the concept is pretty cool.
I don’t wait for Google anymore to come up with the “cool stuff”. I use NomaDesk, a neat collaboration workspace solution, which does pretty much the platypus/Gdrive stuff and more! I suggest you all try it. It’s free during beta.
* Delta-sync — The most efficient way to ensure all team-documents are kept synchronized between NomaDesk members, seamlessly and automatically.
* Email2Folder — Email team-documents directly into sub-folders.
* FileLink — Creating links to team-documents that can be shared with people outside of your team, securely and for a limited time.
* Access and manage team-documents directly from Windows Explorer – even when offline!
* Invite/Remove team members from this NomaDesk workspace.
filip
I agree with u ,Nomadesk is one of the best option for providing all type of service like Email2Folde,FileLink,Delta-sync