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![]() Google Drive mounted on a Chromebook |
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Developer(s) | |
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Initial release | April 24, 2012 |
Stable release | (May 4, 2012 | ) []
Development status | Active |
Operating system | |
Available in | English |
Type | Online backup service |
Website | drive.google.com |
Google Drive is a file storage and sync service by Google that was released on April 24, 2012.[1][2] Google Drive is an extension of Google Docs once activated, and replaces the URL docs.google.com with drive.google.com.
Rumors about Google Drive began circulating as early as March 2006.[3]
Contents |
Storage
Google Drive gives the user a free-of-charge cloud-storage of 5 gigabytes to start with.[4] Extra storage, which is shared between Picasa and Google Drive,[5] from 25 GB (2.49 USD/month) up to 16 TB can be acquired through a paid monthly subscription plan.[6]
Client
There are third-party Google Drive apps which can be installed from the Chrome Web Store. These apps, running in Google Chrome, are operating on the online files, and can be used to edit images and videos, fax and sign documents, manage projects, create flowcharts etc.[7]
Besides the web page, Google Drive needs a client to synchronize files. At the start of the service the client software was available for the following devices: on Macs with Lion (10.7) and Snow Leopard (10.6) operating systems; on PCs Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 OSes; on Android smartphones and tablets with Eclair and newer OSes (Android 2.1+); on iPhone and iPad, iOS 3.0+.[8] Linux support is underway.[9] According to Sundar Pichai of Google, the Google Drive online storage service will be tightly integrated with Chrome OS version 20.[10]
Ownership and licensing
As Google has only one, unified terms of service and privacy policy, it would seem that Google retains a very broad claim to reproduce, use, and create derivative works from content stored on the Google Drive.
According to CNET, unlike competing services Dropbox and SkyDrive, Google retains a more broad claim to reproduce, use, and create derivative works from content stored on the Google Drive. This license is perpetual even after removal of content. Although the user retains intellectual property rights, the broad Google Drive license allows extraction and parsing of uploaded content to customize advertising and other services that Google provides to the user, and for promoting the service.[11]
Another report from The Verge finds that Google's terms are quite comparable to those of its competitors, and slightly better in some cases.[12]
See also
References
- ^ "Introducing Google Drive... yes, really". Google. http://googleblog.blogspot.in/2012/04/introducing-google-drive-yes-really.html. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
- ^ "Google Stores, Syncs, Edits in the Cloud". The Wall Street Journal. 25 April 2012. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303459004577362111867730108.html. Retrieved 2012-04-25.
- ^ "Google Drive: What we know so far". TechCrunch. http://techcrunch.com/2006/03/06/google-drive-what-we-know-so-far/. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
- ^ Murph, Darren. "Google Drive official: 5GB of free storage, business-focused approach (video)". Engadget. http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/24/google-drive-official-cloud-storage-details-docs/. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
- ^ "How Google storage plans work - Google Drive Help". Support.google.com. http://support.google.com/drive/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2375124&p=storage_overview. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
- ^ https://www.google.com/settings/storage/?hl=en
- ^ "Google Help: Google Drive components". Support.google.com. http://support.google.com/a/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2519250. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
- ^ "Get started with Google Drive: System requirements". Support.google.com. http://support.google.com/drive/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2374990. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
- ^ "Google Drive Is Coming to Linux". OMG! Ubuntu!. http://omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/04/google-drive-is-coming-to-linux/. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
- ^ "Google Set to Meld GDrive With Chrome OS". Wired. 25 April 2012. http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2012/04/google-gdrive-chrome-os/. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
- ^ Whittaker, Zack (2012-04-24). "Who owns files on Google Drive". News.cnet.com. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57420551-93/who-owns-your-files-on-google-drive/. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
- ^ Patel, Nilay (2012-04-25). "Is Google Drive worse for privacy than iCloud, Skydrive, and Dropbox?". The Verge. http://www.theverge.com/2012/4/25/2973849/google-drive-terms-privacy-data-skydrive-dropbox-icloud. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
External links
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