Yeah, not quite.

There is a desktop sync app with folder support
There is a mobile sync app
There is the option to add more storage (previously this only applied to Picasa and Gmail)

Etc...

I recommend trying it out - there is so much more this does than Google Docs. I know, because I've been a heavy docs user for years, and use Google Cloud Connect for Office to sync everything.

Interesting that dropbox is now offering the ability to share individual files you have in your dropbox according to a pop up when I signed in this morning (it may not be that new, I don't use the web interface that much). I'm assuming that's because of Google's move into the picture.

MSNBC had a little comparison of the dropbox type solutions yesterday for a general overview

With Google Drive announced, what is the best cloud storage service for you?

http://www.technolog.msnbc.msn.com/t...ice-you-732829

The way I read the licensing makes it a complete non-starter for me. THe idea that G will mine my data & potentially use it for other purposes is not something I care to have happen.

How about uploading/downloading encrypted files where the encryption of the files takes place before uploading and after downloading?

While they still will be able to make some determinations about the user, it won't necessarily be determinations about the content stored.

Yep, that is the failure scenario I would be worried about. A rogue "delete" command from Dropbox ends up wiping everything from all my devices.

I'm trying to understand the case where anyone would use Drive for any serious work, after reading those terms and conditions?
- certainly no corporate Legal department would allow you to put their IP on Drive
- I can't imagine that anyone in R&D would use it, and risk exposure of confidential materials
- same for anyone in academia
- same for any artists/designers - do you lose control of your copyright by uploading to Drive?

So other than a cool place to store my porn, what's the business case?

Seems you can safeguard against that by keeping at least one device backed up through another means. I used to use Mozy and switched to Crashplan Central after Mozy eliminated their unlimited plans.

It's designed for personal files that you want to have available anywhere.

Any business that has half-thought this through already has an IT policy that forbids storing company data on public cloud services. I know my last two companies had such policies.

R&D - especially of the confidential high-tech kind - almost certainly has similar prohibitions in place.

Academia - maybe. Depends on the subject matter.

Neat. Before, you had to put stuff into the Public folder for it to be shared via URL. Now, you can do it from any folder.

I wouldn't put anything sensitive on it, but it's a good solution for backing up family photos. I doubt Google will want to use any of mine, but if they do it's no skin off my back.

I suppose one can do that (with PGP or TrueCrypt), but I have a couple of (much better) options available to me. Depending on what you want to store & how much storage you'll use, something like Linode might be an option for one who is technically inclined.

Google Drive allows you to backtrack to any time within the last 30 days. This protects against an accidental deletion.

Further, assuming you have Google Drive or Dropbox synced to more than one device you're okay in case of deletion so long as at least one of your devices is turned off at the time.