The concept of cloud computing and free cloud storage is rather new. From a natural progression in our mobile world, free cloud storage is merely the next step in a fast-changing world. As more and more people make use of newer mobile technologies such as smartphones and tablets and the widespread use of portable laptops; with wifi, 3G and 4G networks, it is becoming more and more difficult and bothersome to transfer needed files from one device to another. The solution is cloud computing and cloud storage. Additionally, many providers offer introductory plans for free cloud storage.
What is Cloud Storage?
Cloud storage is simply the storing of files on your providers’ servers whereby you can access them via an Internet-connected device. In the past, we were required to store files on our computer’s hard drive, or an external hard drive once the hard drive filled up, or our company’s servers. To take file with us, we would have to then save the files to the device we intended to use them on or save copies to CDRs or DVDs or thumb drives or email them to ourselves. Sometimes we would have to “remote in” to our work servers in hopes that there would not be any connectivity issues so we can retrieve that presentation.
With cloud storage, all of those issues are left behind. We now have the ability to store our files on the servers of our free cloud storage provider, and retrieve them with any mobile device with an Internet connection. In essence, cloud storage is nothing more than saving to an external hard drive or the company servers, only the accessibility is greater. Additionally, you do not have the added cost of the servers and the security of those servers as that falls to the responsibility of the free cloud storage provider.
Who Offers Free Cloud Storage?
There are numerous companies offering free cloud storage. It is a growing business and you can be assured that the competition will only lead to more storage for less as companies compete to fill their servers. Just about every cloud storage provider offers a free introductory plan. Some plans, such as iCloud from Apple, automatically sync files between all of your devices (as long as they are Apple devices). But all of the big players in the computer game are also in the free cloud storage game. Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Google, they all offer free cloud storage plans. There are other companies who specialize in cloud storage, such as JustCloud and MyPC Backup.
The concept of cloud storage is a great one. As we become more and more mobile, with more and more devices, we need to be able to access what we need, when we need it. Free cloud storage is a great way to introduce yourself to this new and growing concept.