Google Drive Arrived: Cloud Storage And Privacy/Security

Google Drive Schematic. Source: android-schweiz.ch

Cloud Storage is not any longer just for the big guys.

This morning when I updated my Android phone a new app was loaded called Google Drive. It explained that it was part of Google Docs and I downloaded it.

It is actually a web-based storage tightly integrated with Google Docs. One might compare it with DropBox and other online storage services. It provides 5GB free of charge and will allow up to 16 TB(!) (at a price of approx. US$ 50,– per TB and month).

Image via CrunchBase

But Google Drive seems to be more than just online storage. It turns Google Docs into a seamless Office Suite for collaboration.

This means that Google joined the ranks of many other online storage providers but with the generous offer of free 5GB. It will work similar to the DropBox model where you best install a local client for your platform. Google Drive clients are available for Windows, Mac, Android and a version for iOS will come soon. Linux users can use the web interface for the time being.

Sundar Pichai, Senior Vice President, Google Chrome & Apps is quoted in ZDnet.com:

“Drive is designed to work harmoniously with all the products you use – whether Google products or third-party service. You can share your photos on Google Drive + and will soon be able to attach documents directly into your emails Drive Gmail. Drive is intended to be an open platform, so we work with many third-party developers, allowing you to do things such as sending faxes, edit videos and create models directly from Drive website. To install these applications, visit the Chrome Web Store and follow the events for more useful applications to come. It is only the beginning of Google Drive, many developments are coming. Stay tuned!”

Data Gobbler Google? Image via czyslansky.net

To start Google Drive you need to have a Google account.

But before you use it make sure you read the fine print.

@bontoJR quoted on android-schweiz.ch from the terms and conditions:

“Your Content in our Services: When you upload or otherwise submit content to our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide licence to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes that we make so that your content works better with our Services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content.”

For a discussion on Google and privacy look at my blog on  Google’s new privacy policy and read the update on “Tom Henderson’s Divorce From Google.”

For all those of you that would rather not have a Google account or refuse to use this service based on Google’s terms and conditions there are plenty of alternatives. Let me start with my favorite:

Wuala today announced that it increases its free storage limit from 2GB to 5GB.

And if you care about security and privacy Wuala might still be your best option.

I know Wuala since the time in 2009 when they won the Swiss ICT Award where I have the honor to serve in the jury. Their concept is fascinating and highly regarded. Many reviewers praised the security of their approach. Matt Smollinger — to quote just one — wrote in his review about Wuala:

“Security is very important to Wuala, which dedicates a whole page and several FAQ sections to the subject. Files are encrypted using 128-bit AES, with signatures of those files generated as 2048-bit RSA keys. Files are checked for integrity using 256-bit SHA hash codes. The AES encryption is generated from your password, which Wuala does not store. I’m assuming they store a SHA hash of it however, since you have to authenticate somehow.

“Wuala’s security is probably the most thorough I’ve seen yet. However I would say they could step up to 256-bit AES to toughen things up even more. However, 128-bit AES is ridiculously difficult to hack, so it should be fine with the signatures and integrity checks in play.”

You can also consider the newly remodeled Dropbox, Microsoft SkyDrive, or other cloud storage providers. For a review of further online storage options see for instance “2012 Best Online Storage Service Comparisons and Reviews” or “Online Storage & Data Backup” (Cnet).

What do you think — how much longer will we have local disk drives? Will we use just local cache for those moments in tunnels or airplanes?

Will our grandchildren ask us one day: “Did you really have disk storage at home in those days?“

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Related articles

• Google Drive to launch this week (onsoftware.en.softonic.com)
• Google Launches Google Drive, An Online File Storage Service (laughingsquid.com)
• Google Drive is real: here’s what it means (gigaom.com)
• Google launches long-rumoured online storage service Google Drive (business.financialpost.com)
• Google Drive – Store Files, Share Files, and Talk About Them (freetech4teachers.com)
• Google Drive Goes for a Spin [HANDS-ON] (mashable.com)
• SlashGear 101: What is Google Drive? (slashgear.com)
• Google Drive Officially Launched {Video} (c24.co.uk)
• Free storage for you: Google Drive to arrive today (hazimsos.wordpress.com)
• Meet Google Drive: Specs and Screenshots (allthingsd.com)
• Software Review- Google Drive versus Dropbox (decisionstats.com)
• Google Drive vs Dropbox vs Box and more (clixto7.com)
• Google Drive launches, specs revealed (thetechblock.com)
• Google Drive launched, 5GB free, replaces Google Docs (androidauthority.com)
• UPDATE: Google Drive – Cloud Speicher Dienst ist gestartet! (Android Schweiz)

Google’s New Privacy Policy: What Has Changed and What You Can Do About It

Wired.com today published an article from a blog at webmonkey.com: Google’s New Privacy Policy: What Has Changed and What You Can Do About It | Webmonkey | Wired.com.

I posted an update towards the end of this article describing “Tom Henderson’s Divorce From Google”

I am quoting from the first article above:

(begin quote)

Why Google's Privacy Changes Are Good for Advertisers

It was on March 1st that Google’s broad new privacy policy went into effect. European regulators are claiming it violates data protection laws, but it’s here and it may be here to stay.

There are some not-completely-foolproof ways to hide from Google, but first let’s talk about what’s changed.

How to Use Google Search More Effectively [INFOGRAPHIC]

Josh Catone yesterday published a blog on “How to Use Google Search More Effectively [INFOGRAPHIC]“. Although the Infographic is geared for students us mere mortals might benefit from it as well.

Efficient use of search can really save you time and bring you much faster where you want to go.

Ten Sloppy Social Media Mistakes to Fix NOW

Corey Eridon has some advice on mistakes to avoid and she warns not to be sloppy about Social Media. She writes in her blog on hubspot.com:

“What makes the following social media mistakes particularly sloppy is that they cost little time and no money to fix, have tremendous returns, and as such are huge misses to your overall social media strategy. Stop being sloppy, and make sure you’re not making any of these 10 social media mistakes (+1 for good luck).”

Facebook, Twitter, Google+: Making Social Media Measurable

Tools für Facebook, Twitter, Google+: Social Media messbar machen – computerwoche.de.

Source: SocialAmerican.com

Companies use social media as marketing tools. But who wants to measure their success, needs management and monitoring tools.

Many companies have begun to use Social Media. They serve not only as an internal communication platform, but also as marketing, advertising and sales tools. According to the U.S. consulting and market research group Altimeter Group in 2014, about 90 percent of all businesses in North America and Western Europe will use tools or software suites for managing social media activities and success control (monitoring).

Read the original article in German or the Google Translation into (a sort of) English

Related articles

• Web 2.0 Expo: Social Media Measurement Expert Tips (informationweek.com)
• CrowdControlHQ Becomes the First Social Media Monitoring Tool to Integrate Google+ (prweb.com)
• Common Mistakes of Measuring Social Media Success

What Happens To Your Social Network Profiles When You Die?

Source: static.arstechnica.net

Recently a good friend and business colleague of mine passed away following a heart attack. Help came for him too late.

He was only in his 40′s. We were all very saddened by his sudden death having lost a close friend and colleague.

To my big dismay his profile is still on LinkedIn.com. I had written several times to the company but his profile is still alive.

This made me think that we have no accepted procedures to deal with social media profiles, email accounts etc. when someone dies. It should become a simple, secure and (for relatives and friends) easy to follow chain of steps to either delete accounts or mark them as memorialized.

Since I was sure that I would not be the first to stumble upon this issue I spent a few hours on researching the subject. There are quite a number of memorial sites (virtual cemeteries) where people can post obituaries but this does not solve the issue described above. I found some articles discussing the issue. I am enclosing some quotes from these articles.

Innovation vs. Patents: Google’s New Patent Armor – IEEE Spectrum

Google on Motorola (source: IEEE Spectrum)

“How many patents does it take to stay afloat in the smartphone world? It seems Google has pegged it at around 20 000. Its proposed acquisition of Motorola Mobility for US $12.5 billion, announced on August 15, would add 17 000 patents to its previously meager stockpile.”

Quote from a recent article in IEEE‘s Spectrum. Read more: Google’s New Patent Armor – IEEE Spectrum.

I am not sure that this is a healthy development in the industry; especially since many of the older patents are extremely broad and cover almost anything (example: a hand-held device powered by a microprocessor that can display data).

Are we going to let patents stifle innovation? Will young innovators still have the guts to create something new without having to hire patent lawyers? Or will the fear of possible legal costs and consequences when accidentally stepping on someones patent keep inventors from inventing?

What is your take on this?