Cloud Storage
Google Drive
Drive turns Google Docs into a service that
takes not just spreadsheets and text, but any file type. On the one hand it’s a
slightly ungainly hydrid of Dropbox and an online office app – but it works
really well, providing all of your kit with easy access to the same files. With
a Google account handling calendar and contacts, and Picasa storing photos, it
also keeps your precious data safe
Google
Drive
Pros: Simple
desktop integration converts scanned docs; iOS apps available
Cons: Odd
barrier between Drive and Picasa
Special Skill – Document Collaboration: The genius of Google Docs is that people can edit the same doc at
the same time, yet it’s still easy to find the latest version. A complete
history is stored if you need to go back in time.
iCloud
Apple’s take on the cloud is typically
locked down. You can’t upload files willy-nilly; rather, Apple uses iCloud to
seamlessly sync media, docs and data from compatible programs across all of
your Apple kit, and provide access to your iTunes media whenever you want it.
Best of all is the backup: lose an iOS gadget and your apps and settings can be
effortlessly restored to a new one.
Apple
too has its fingers in the cloud storage space with iCloud
Pros:
Photostream syncs snaps across iDevices; unlimited iTunes storage; backup
Cons: Only
5GB free for backup, docs; no file browsing; only works with OS X and iOS
Special Skill – Developer Integration: iCloud isn’t just about syncing Apple services. OSX and iOS
developers can design apps that, say, store a game save in the cloud so you
never lose your place across your devices.
Skydrive
Microsoft’s Skydrive has been recently
rebooted, reading it for Windows 8. A long-awaited desktop app allows you to
sync folders in Windows Explorer, and integration with MS programs means that
you can share files from Outlook without emailing giant attachments. As with
Google and Apple, your MS Live account also safely stores email, contacts and
calendars.
Microsoft’s
Skydrive
Pros:
Biggest free allowance (7GB); easy file sharing; Android and iOS apps
Cons: No
deleted item recovery; online Office document editing apps slow
Special Skill – Fetch Remote Access: Want something from your home PC but forgot to copy it to the
cloud? No problem – SkyDrive’s remote access allows you to browse the hard
drive of any computer that’s on and logged into your Live account.
