Storage Wars: Google Offers Unlimited Storage

Just days after rival Microsoft unveiled its new Microsoft cloud storage pricing structure, Google answered in a big way - unlimited cloud storage.

Megabytes, gigabytes, even terabytes of data stored safely on Google servers for only $10 a month, per user. Files as large as 5TB can be stored in the cloud, a size that no desktop or laptop currently on the market is equipped to handle.

The ability to back up files, store them in the cloud, and automatically sync all that data across multiple devices has radically changed the way we use computers. That data could comprise home movies, your personal music collections, or work files that you and your staff are collaboratively editing together. No matter what you put into a cloud storage and syncing solution, the benefit of being able to access it nearly anywhere is incredible

Google Drive for Work is the company's business version of Google Drive, their cloud storage and syncing service. Google Drive for Work combines Google Apps for Business, an online application suite, with the Google Apps Vault, an archival add-on built for preserving electronic documents.

The Apps for Business suite includes new auditing tools that make viewing the storage, movement, and sharing of files between employees simple and informative, while the Apps Vault provides search and discovery features which can enable businesses to integrate their compliance policies, among other things.

These services are all included for a monthly fee of only $10 per user (with a minimum of 5 users), along with unlimited storage. While it may not be appealing to the average consumer, small and large companies alike will undoubtedly be drawn in with the integrated business applications and limitless storage at such a relatively small price point.

Plans with less than 5 users can still be purchased, although the storage amount will shrink to 1TB per user. Companies that want to stick with just Google Apps for Business will remain at the previous cap of 30GB per user, for the same $5 a month user fee.

The announcement, which came on June 26, also shed light on several new features implemented across all Google Drive platforms, including both security and accessibility improvements.

All files uploaded to Google Drive will now be encrypted from your device to the cloud, in transit between data centers, and while sitting on Google's servers, and combined with the extensive auditing service included, should provide businesses peace of mind when sharing sensitive files amongst employees.

Google has also built-in QuickOffice's editing capabilities into the cloud service, meaning users can open and edit most common file types, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, in their native format from within a browser. Dubbed Office Compatibility Mode, the feature is already available and can be used on Google Chrome or Android devices today (the feature is set to release shortly on iOS).