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Google Drive detailed: 5 GB of free space, launching next week

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Re: Google Drive detailed: 5 GB of free space, launching next week

#92
post #13

Should I worry about my privacy if I use this "free" service? I don't really want them to serve me targeted ads based on the contents of my Google Drive. I don't know whether they plan to do anything like this, but still. Giving Google access to my files (in addition to my email, social network, voice mail, contact list, calendar, and reading preferences . .) makes me uneasy.

I wish this were the top comment.

The idea of Google indexing my harddrive and using this data to better profile me has scary privacy implications. I will pay these services (gmail, etc.) I can opt out of Google viewing my data.

Re: Google Drive detailed: 5 GB of free space, launching next week

#93
post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Although Google launching Google Drive shows that they see value in a dropbox type system, what is that value? I can understand Youtube because video is a huge part of the internet and advertising, but what value is there in hosting peoples files? I can't work out where Dropbox would fit with Google.

Google wants people to Login. And remain Logged in. Gathering data about people is more valuable when it's tied to an individual. (I'm very restrictive when i do have to login. I do what i'm there for. Nothing else. Then quickly logout.)

Don't you also need to remove cookies and perhaps clear local data?

Re: Google Drive detailed: 5 GB of free space, launching next week

#94
post #70

The article mentions 23 GB of storage upgrades for HTC users. Can I also get that on my old HTC Desire S? Or do I need a new phone for that?

It's part of the pre-installed Dropbox application on newer HTC phones. Some people have copied it and used it on other phones to get the storage upgrade.

Re: Google Drive detailed: 5 GB of free space, launching next week

#95
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A Dropbox clone with a better Android client would make me switch immediately. The Android Dropbox client doesn't even let you download folders at once, only individual files.

just curious.. what file types do you want on your phone? I don't have a use case for mobile file syncing for myself.

If you have a decent-length metro commute to work, you could move a couple documents that you wanted to look over into your dropbox folder from your computer at home and open them up from your phone on your way in or during a lunch break.

Re: Google Drive detailed: 5 GB of free space, launching next week

#96
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

which free service (or service that pays you money, ala AdSense) has a better approach to customer service? Honestly curious because I hear a lot of complaints about Google, but I have a feeling that Facebook, Bing/Microsoft, etc aren't any better.

PayPal has. I know, I know, horror stories and everything. And the service or the customer service is not always free but at least you can speak to someone, you can have the process explained, you can appeal etc.

That's more to protect PayPal, and the fact that real money is involved. PayPal's customer service is not free. You do pay for it.

Re: Google Drive detailed: 5 GB of free space, launching next week

#97
post #54

What specific problem does this fix for the Google ecosystem? This feels very Microsoftian. Very "we must compete in every market" without good reason.

Google got its start by walking into an existing (and frankly much more mature) market for search and competing with the existing players "without reason". Likewise advertising was pretty well served before they showed up. And I'm pretty sure email predates their dominant platform there, too. I'm not sure what's "Microsoftian" about this in particular, but it's certainly "Googly". Honestly, this (and a lot of the oth…

GMail competes but isn't dominant yet - latest numbers of total registered user puts it on par with both Yahoo and Hotmail at ~350 million users.

Re: Google Drive detailed: 5 GB of free space, launching next week

#98
post #9

We've seen this before. It was called google video. Google ended up buying youtube because even they could no longer deny they'd lost the battle and they couldn't risk it going to a competitor. Dropbox is in for a rough ride, as long as they can maintain focus and quality (beat them at customer support, that should be a walk in the park) they'll be the biggest YC exit ever once Google has run its course with the Goog…

Dropbox can not really have customer loyalty at all. It will take me 2 mins to switch from dropbox to Google drive if they offer more free space...

Re: Google Drive detailed: 5 GB of free space, launching next week

#99
post #8
post #2

This doesn't seem to have any new details on the service other than that its 5GB and launching on Mac/Windows/iOS/Android, which is all in line with expectations. Given all the recent leaks, it really doesn't seem like Google's doing much more than cloning Dropbox. Was I the only one expecting Google to knock this one out of the park, a la Gmail's introduction?

A Dropbox clone with a better Android client would make me switch immediately. The Android Dropbox client doesn't even let you download folders at once, only individual files.

ES File Explorer will let you download a folder from Dropbox.

Re: Google Drive detailed: 5 GB of free space, launching next week

#100
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know, that's one of the biggest benefits of Dropbox, I tell someone I'll add a shared drive and 9 times out of ten they already have a Dropbox account (in my tech world bubble at least)

Times they already have a Google account: 10/10

Presumably there is some software to be installed as well, but yeah I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the press releases of 170 million Google Drive users come out!
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