Google Reported Getting Ready To Launch Cloud Storage

Google is getting ready to launch a cloud storage service that would go toe-to-toe with Dropbox, a free service that lets you bring your photos, docs and videos anywhere and share them. Essentially, Dropbox eliminates the need to e-mail yourself a file.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Google's Dropbox-like service is called Drive. The Journal cited "people familiar with the matter" saying the reported Google move is a response to the growth of Internet-connected mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, as well as the rise of cloud computing.

Free or Paid Cloud Storage?

Neither Google nor Dropbox could be reached for comment, but Greg Sterling, principal analyst at Sterling Market Intelligence, said the long-rumored "GDrive" would match Microsoft's SkyDrive. Windows Live SkyDrive offers a free, password-protected hard drive in the cloud.

"This rumor makes sense in the context of Google's online apps and docs and cloud storage strategy," said Sterling. Google has a cadre of cloud services in its cache, from Gmail to Google Docs to Google Apps and beyond.

The Journal reported Drive would come online in the next weeks or months and charge a fee to people who want to store large volumes of files. Last October, Dropbox, which has more than 45 million users, introduced a paid service called Dropbox for Teams. The service lets companies with a distributed workforce, small business with virtual teams, or entrepreneurs serving multiple clients tap into administrative controls, centralized billing, phone support and plenty of storage space for $795 a year for five users.

Targeting Apple?

It's not clear how much Google would charge or what the parameters of its service are. Google would also be competing with Apple's iCloud. Apple launched iCloud, a set of free cloud...