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Monday, July 24, 2006

The Internet Is Your Next Hard Drive

New Web-based services don't just store your data online -- they keep it synchronized across your laptop, desktop, and mobile phone.

By Wade Roush
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The forecast for the future of the PC: partly cloudy.

Online storage systems that can automatically synchronize the data on all of your computing devices, including the PCs you use at home and at work and your smart phone, are finally a reality. One industry watcher, Thomas Vander Wal, calls them "personal infoclouds": technologies that scatter your data across the Internet and reassemble them on your preferred devices.

If you edit a photo or a document and save it on your work PC, for example, these new services will automatically update the online copy, then do the same for the copies on your work PC or even your cell phone. This month, Sharpcast introduced a service that synchronizes digital photographs, and companies such as Streamload are rolling out systems this summer that keep other types of files in sync, including commercially purchased downloads such as iTunes songs and videos.

With these new offerings -- and assuming that broadband Internet connections keep getting faster and more ubiquitous -- it might become unnecessary to store local copies at all, meaning your hard drive could be entirely replaced by remote Internet servers. Although that isn't likely to happen soon, the looming "data cloud" is already beginning to obscure the once-paramount PC. "The more devices we have that can access such services, and use them to share and synchronize information, the less we need computers," says Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, research director at the Institute for the Future in Palo Alto, CA.

Streamload's synchronization feature, added to its existing MediaMax service a few weeks ago, is typical of the genre. Users can set the MediaMax client software to keep either the entire contents or selected files from their hard drives synchronized across devices. "Once I associate MediaMax with a folder on my machine, then those files will stay in sync, automatically, behind the scenes," says Michael Corrales, Streamload's director of marketing. "And I have the option to invite others to synchronize with my folder. So every time I upload a new movie, my mother will receive a notification that it's there, and the option to download, view, or delete it -- and if she's running the client application, too, it will automatically download to her computer."

Streamload gives away the first 25 gigabytes of storage and 1 gigabyte of downloaded data; heavier users pay $4.95 per month for 100 gigabytes of storage and 10 gigabytes of downloads.

Similar services are available from Israeli software outfit BeInSync and a Microsoft-owned company, FolderShare, whose synchronization system is being folded into the parent company's Windows Live Web services platform.

Sharpcast's service is even simpler. Once the company's client software is installed on the user's PCs and mobile phones, any change made to any photograph on one device is automatically replicated on all of the other devices and on Sharpcast's own servers. If the user takes a photograph using his phone, for example, a copy is sent immediately to his Sharpcast website and home or office PCs. If the user doesn't happen to be online when taking or editing photos, the system queues updates for later delivery. "It's syncing without thinking," says Sharpcast CEO Gibu Thomas. "You don't even have to push a button. The whole process of manual uploads and downloads goes away." Later this year, Sharpcast intends to let users synchronize other data, such as calendar appointments and contacts.
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Comments

  • I'm doubting it
    Guest (Amulek) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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    I think we're going to have some serious gridlock within 10 years on the net unless bandwidth is significantly increased. Until that happens, I can't see on-line info replacing on-computer info.
    Rate this comment: 12345
    • I'm agreeing
      Guest (Sean) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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      IF broadband becomes truly ubiquitous to the point of it being nearly impossible to lose your connection, then, yeah, maybe. But right now all it takes is my phone line/cable to co go out and my inbternet computer would become a paperweight. Sure, keep my stuff synched, but replace the hard drive? With storage ever cheaper and smaller, where's the need? I know there are limits to shrinkage, but that's going to happen on the servers, too.
      Rate this comment: 12345
      • How about backup
        Guest (rob) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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        This technology would be great for backup purpose, so when your local disk crashes you can restore your data.
        Backups can be zipped and encrypted to provide privacy and minimal storage need. The backup data should be distributed over multiple servers in different continents to be 99.999% proof. Sort of raid storage provide 100%uptime even if major disasters would crash one server park.
        Rate this comment: 12345
        • Sharpcast offers transparent backup
          Guest (Gibu Thomas) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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          Rob, I echo your sentiments about the  value of a transparent, remote backup.  One of the things that happens when you use the Sharpcast desktop application to organize or share your pictures is that they are all remotely backed up -- not just the files, all the meta data and organization as well.  So, to recover your entire picture collection on a brand new hard drive or to migrate to a second PC, all you have to do is install the client and authenticate yourself.

          We are expanding the user experienc  to other data types as well, so stay tuned.

          Cheers,

          Gibu Thomas,
          CEO, Sharpcast
          Rate this comment: 12345
      • That's a good point
        Guest (Amulek) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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        Storage is becoming smaller and cheeper. It seems to me that portable hard disks might carry people's "lives" around, while the net would synchronize some types of data. I just don't think we have the bandwidth to be able to handle a few billion people's hard drives "on line." I think we'll see a Moore's law of bandwidth use and this will become a major problem.
        Rate this comment: 12345
    • I don't believe so
      Guest (Kenneth) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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      due to the fact that servers go down and traffic at certain times of the day are heavy.  Plus security.  I know I may use the service but believe me, I don't want to give up my personal hard drive.  Ever.  Besides if our hard drive is on the net, doesn't that mean if the server is down we don't have a pc? 
      Rate this comment: 12345
    • The best of both worlds
      Guest (Gibu Thomas) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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      To everyone who is debating the virtues of the Internet as the next hard drive, our belief is that it is going to be a hybrid world.  You will always have your local device storage, which gives you many benefits like quicker-than-broadband access, offline access, etc, but it will work seamlessly with a web data store, which gives you the benefits of remote backup, anywhere access, etc -- with a transparent sync engine bridging the two, making the distinction irrelevant to you whether you are online or offine or what device you are on.

      Cheers,

      Gibu Thomas,
      CEO, Sharpcast
      Rate this comment: 12345
  • What about privacy issues?
    Guest (xpbuddy) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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    It just seems creepy to have personal data floating around. 
    Rate this comment: 12345
    • Personal data floating around
      Guest (Tim) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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      I liken this to money in the bank. There was a time when people would have never imagined keeping their personal fortunes in banks - in "someone else's" place of storage.  The safest place was under the bed in a box. Obviously, with a bank's better security and track record, money there is so much safer. Personal data will follow this same path, I believe. There will come a day when no one could imagine storing personal data on portable drives that can so easily be lost or at home on relatively unsecured PCs.
      Rate this comment: 12345
      • Banks are regulated
        Guest (pete) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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        At the moment in the US, I don't think it would be illegal to take all the data accumulated on such a service and sell it to the highest bidder. Moreover, if there was a security breach and you lost money as a result of them leaking your data, you don't have a claim against them.

        Banks are regulated to ensure good financial practice, and there is deposit insurance to cover disasters. The same is not true of data hosting services.
        Rate this comment: 12345
      • Re: Personal data floating around
        halpad on 01/01/2007 at 8:10 PM
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        For instance: my home was burgled this year. Gone is my PC + an external hard drive with the last 10 years of my life on it. I think online storage is obviously at least as secure (probably many times more) as the average person's home.
        Rate this comment: 12345
    • 2 things
      Guest (too green) on 07/25/2006 at 12:00 AM
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      1) Any personal data stored on company computers is subject to search and monitoring by the government. Your email, calendar, contact lists, pics, files etc. are trolled through by government agencies. Just that you know, when you use Gmail, Yahoo and others.

      2) You are completely dependent on the integrity of the network. It happens to me several times a week, that Gmail gives me errors and an operation cannot be completed instantly. These errors don't last long, but they illustrate our vulnerability when relying on these systems.
      Rate this comment: 12345
  • Here to stay
    Guest (Chaka Jones) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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    I think online storage needs and methods will quickly become better and faster. With Internet 2.0 on the way, higher security methods (see Mozy.com), and bigger players backing the systems up (Amazon S3), things will get more invisible. I think in general, technological innovation in the future, especially with regard to computing and connectivity, will become more and more invisible and ubiquitous.
    Rate this comment: 12345
  • Streamload already restrics usage
    Guest (El Guapo) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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    According to streamload website, free usage is only 100/MB month transfer (which is pathetic) and the basic plan is already down to 2GB/month (also very small).

    The information in this article is misleading.
    Rate this comment: 12345
    • Re: Streamload already restrics usage
      Guest (Mike Corrales) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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      Hey there, El Guapo.  This is Mike from Streamload here.  I think you are confused between Streamload, our former service and MediaMax, the service that Wade refers to in the article. 

      MediaMax, which can be found at http://www.mediamax.com, gives users 25 GB of free online storage and 1 GB per month of free downloads for files smaller than 25 MB.  Users who pay just $4.95 a month ($3.75 a month when paid annually) get 100 GB of online storage and 10 GB per month of downloads and have no file size restrictions.  Upload bandwidth is always unlimited up to your storage limit.  There’s no catch.

      Sorry if there was any confusion, but our old service at Streamload.com will be going away next month as we transition users of our former service to MediaMax.
      Rate this comment: 12345
  • Logmein backup and remote backup utilities
    Guest (Tom Warrington) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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    Like a lot of you I'm a bit wary of the privacy invasion implications that arise from this web-based storage model. This isn't to say the internet isn't useful for purposes of backing up information,  though. The program logmein backup which I use both at my home and office for example uses your internet connection to backup your home files on your work pc, or vice versa, or some other combination of two PCs. I feel that this is a very good use of internet connectivity while still maintaining a modicum of security and safety.
    Rate this comment: 12345
    • So try Vombato Mail Drive and store files on email account
      Guest (Ann Isawa) on 07/25/2006 at 12:00 AM
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      Your problems with privacy are well known for me but I have found innovative software to upload files on my email account. It creates a virtual drive on any of your POP3 email account. You can copy files and folders there, and these
      files will be awaiting your use. Of course You must have additional email account for this (there is a lot of free emails eg. gmail with 2Gb). They added encryption so your files are better protected. So you must find an alternative to e.g. streamload or try to life with concern about your privacy.
      Rate this comment: 12345
  • Glide Effortless Protects Privacy
    Guest (Joel Miller) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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    Glide Effortless provides the convenience of synchronized file storage and sharing from your computer and cell phone in a rights and identity based environment. This provides a more secure place to share files and information and network. Mobile access is not restricted to photos and includes video, music, documents, calendars, contacts and bookmarks.
    Rate this comment: 12345
    • Video sharing with glide
      Guest (David Mossberg) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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      As a glide user, I would have to agree.  I have access to all of my files all the time from my computer or cell phone - even large videos. I can share my videos from my cell phone and control how and when they are viewed.
      Rate this comment: 12345
    • Privacy
      Guest (Anonymous) on 07/25/2006 at 12:00 AM
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      Yeah right, all these U.S. based companies provide "privacy" and "encryption" until GWB knocks at the door.
      Rate this comment: 12345
  • This is about charging users, not about security
    Guest (Zaine Ridling) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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    Online HDs/storage is about finding creative ways to siphon money from users rather than mere synchronicity. I will never trust my data to another company, person, or mechanical device. Besides, where are you going to get the bandwidth for my terabyte of porn?
    Rate this comment: 12345
  • Mainframe/terminal is old news
    Guest (Dave) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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    The personal computer revolution released users from the terminal/mainframe prison.  Now terminal/mainframe is considered innovation.  In fact it's retrogressive.

    There are simpler ways to achieve data/desktop mobility which eliminate concerns of privacy, synchronization, and bandwidth.  Carry a bootable USB device like this (street price $100):

    http://os.newsforge.com/os/06/02/22/2221258.shtml

    (The mobile user will always need some kind of "terminal" with an attached keyboard and monitor to access data.  Both approaches, USB and network, require borrowing a "terminal," cellphones aside.)
    Rate this comment: 12345
  • French were first with Neuf Giga ! (sometimes...)
    Guest (Wasabi R) on 07/25/2006 at 12:00 AM
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    Well; I've already read some post about a french service called "Neuf Giga". They're giving 9 Go of space to backup, store etc... It's compatible with their WIFI Phone and apparently to their TV set top Box. Not bad ?!
    Rate this comment: 12345
  • Will they last ???
    Guest (Chris) on 07/25/2006 at 12:00 AM
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    Im not sure if these online services will last that long. Imagine getting up one morning to access ur data online only to find out that due to some financial or unforeseen problem, the service is down or taken offline. What happens to the data then? Pardon me if im wrong here but are these businesses lasting and here to stay?
    Rate this comment: 12345
  • Security, speed and longevity
    Guest (Neville Franks) on 07/25/2006 at 12:00 AM
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    I'm a fanatic about backups as I've written on my blog. Remote backups are one of range of backup techniques I use, but I do this to my own server where I'm in control and can have everything encrypted. My experience with the online backup services is that they've been quite slow, and you always wonder how long they'll be around.

    Another great backup method is to use a USB Hard Drive and TrueCrypt. I've written about this on my blog at: http://blog.surfulater.com/2005/06/09/securing-information/
    Rate this comment: 12345
  • Hybrid Model
    Guest (rkt) on 07/26/2006 at 12:00 AM
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    The online storage market is an ideals platform for hosting/sharing non-private media.

    The PC file sharing model, such as those provided by Orb,BeinSync and Foldershare or Gdrive are good only for couple of years, the primary disadvantge with this model is the "Always On" requirement.

    I think a hybrid model of "self-hosting" soultion as a CPE would be an ideal solution to solve both the problems of "paying for online storage cost" and "always on" requirement.

    -rkt
    Rate this comment: 12345
  • Or even better...
    Guest (Mike) on 07/27/2006 at 12:00 AM
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    1
    Have a look at this new company: www.gravityzoo.com

    -Mike
    Rate this comment: 12345
  • Stolen Data
    Guest (Doubtful) on 07/28/2006 at 12:00 AM
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    It will be too easy for anyone to get your data, encryption, security, and all if they want it.  Look at the vets who had their data "lost" (I still think it was sold, just wait a few years when everyone thinks it's over...).  Humans still play a role in the safe keeping of the data.  Temptation and greed will always mean that my data would never be safe from sale or distribution....
    Rate this comment: 12345
    • Re: Stolen Data
      halpad on 01/01/2007 at 8:15 PM
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      SEE  Re: Personal data floating around by halpad  1/1/2007 8:10 PM
      Rate this comment: 12345
  • Backups good
    Guest (Someguy) on 08/08/2006 at 12:00 AM
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    Auto backup is a good thing. How does Amazon expect to make money on their S3 storage? <a href="amazon.com">Amazon</a>
    Rate this comment: 12345
  • CIFS seems to be the protocol of choice
    RonFredericks on 09/24/2006 at 2:12 AM
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    I have been following file sharing via Internet, PC, Unix Workstation, mobile device, enterprise, and embedded devices or systems for some time.  I see a regular pattern of new standards and new applications arrive that provide one shared file system to another using various methods.  But I invite all your readers to consider a native file sharing technique that has been around for some time called CIFS (Common Internet File System).  With CIFS public shared directories can be shared between native file systems even when the devices are different and the file systems are different.

    Handy? See a free lecture on CIFS to learn more: www.embeddedcomponents.com/marketplace/
    Rate this comment: 12345
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