Rumors about Google Drive or something like it have been swirling for years but this week Google actually launched the product. It looks like the typical gradual roll-out for a new Google product, so don't fret if you can't access it immediately.
If you're familiar with Dropbox or Box you have a pretty good idea of what to expect from Google Drive. If not, think of Google Drive, like those other two products, as an extension of your hard drive through the Internet.
Google Drive will sync automatically with your computer(s), comes with 5 GB of storage for free and 100 GB for $5 per month. Paying $60 per year for 100 GB of cloud storage is not a bad price at all, but it can be found slightly cheaper.
If you're already using Google Docs, signing up for Drive will transition the items stored in Google Docs to Drive automatically.
Even if you're not using cloud storage at this time, the number of products available (and the pricing!) is simply hastening the adoption of cloud computing for both the consumer and small and mid-sized business.
Is Google Drive right for you? Below are links to some very early descriptions and reviews.
Form the Google Docs Blog: Introducing Google Drive... yes, really
MacWorld: Hands on with Google Drive
LifeHacker: File Syncing Faceoff: Dropbox vs. Google Drive
Computerworld: Can Dropbox, other cloud providers survive Google Drive?
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