As cloud technology has rapidly come on to the market, there are a few services that have stood out based on quality of services, integration with existing apps as well as quantity of space provided. Here are few of the best cloud technology services available right now.
DropBox is a popular cloud service that isn’t backed by one of the big boys (Apple, Microsoft or Google). It has a simple interface and it integrates with PC, MAC, iPhone/iPad, Android as well as Blackberry. A very nice feature that I use on my Android phone is an automatic picture upload to DropBox. No need for a card reader or USB cable. It just magically appears in a folder on my PCs….all 4 of my PCs and a MAC laptop. I can easily share what I have uploaded by simply sending an email through the various DropBox interfaces on each device or the DropBox.com website.
Downside: Starting Space
The starting amount of space, 2GB, is low compared to the other services BUT DropBox gives you several methods of getting more space like referring a friend for and extra 500mB. You can gain another 16GB by performing rather simple tasks to spread the gospel of Dropbox.
2. Apple iCloud
Apple iCloud is Apple’s solution for all things Apple. The predecessor of iCloud was MobileMe that was used to sync e-mail, contacts, calendars, browser bookmarks, photo galleries and Apple iWeb and iDisk services. With the migration to iCloud, Apple added 5GB for free and more flexibility. This service ensures that all of your Apple devices (as well as PC) are synced. Space increases start at 10GB more for $20/year to 100GB for $100/yr.
Downside: Tailored for Apple
Unlike DropBox, iCloud isn’t going to seamlessly sync with your Android or Blackberry device very easily. But if you are and Apple only type, this is definitely the way to go.
3. Google Drive
Google Drive has a large 15GB starting space right out of the gate. It syncs with all of the major devices and is backed by a strong company that knows a thing or two about servers. Pricing for extra storage starts at $5/month for 100GB. The large starting space will be plenty for pictures and basic uses for most users. For the heavy users, the pricing is very reasonable. Google Drive syncs very well with other Google applications like Docs, Spreadsheets, Presentations and Drawings.
Downside: Large Gap in Pay For Space
This might be nit-picking, but the jump from 15GB to 100GB seems too big. DropBox does allow for ways to increase free space….but we also have to keep in mind that free space is capped at 18GB. Google Drive just gives you the space upfront without having to be an evangelist for the service. So…..Google Drive is strong all around.
4. Microsoft SkyDrive
Microsoft’s contribution in the cloud storage game is SkyDrive. It, like iCloud and Google are especially suited for Microsoft’s Windows Phone as well as the new Windows 8. Other devices can use SkyDrive but the integration isn’t as clean and easy. If you have have a Windows Phone, don’t look any further because this is the only cloud storage you can use. SkyDrive is very reasonably priced with 7GB free with your Microsoft Outlook account and you can add 20GB for $10/year.
Downsides: Compatibility
First of all…SkyDrive doesn’t give support to Windows XP. This seems counter intuitive but, for all of us that like that secure feeling of having an XP machine running those legacy programs. If Microsoft won’t support their own program on their own product, it will be a wonder if they give much thought in making it run on other company’s devices and platforms.
No comments:
Post a Comment