Private search query data isn’t the only thing AOL plans on giving away for free. In September, AOL will offer 5GB of free online storage to any user with an AOL or AIM screen name.
Almost a year ago, in August of 2005, AOL acquired Xdrive, the self-proclaimed “Internet Hard Drive.” Xdrive is the platform supporting AOL’s plan to offer users 5GB of online space to store music, videos, photos, and other documents.
Users of the service can then share these files with those that are given permission. All files stored on this service will be automatically backed up, and will be readily accessible by way of an Internet connection through personal computers or mobile devices.
“People are accumulating personal digital assets at a fast pace, especially in areas like digital photos and videos,” said president of AOL Digital Services, John McKinley.
He added, “By offering consumers the combination of 5GB of free secure online storage and Xdrive’s powerful automated backup and online sharing tools, AOL is giving people a simple, effective, and free way to protect their digital memories and have access to them anywhere they go.”
This announcement comes on the heels of a brand new direction that AOL indicated it will take by making many of its services, which had, up until now, only been available to subscribers to the ISP, free online to the general public. Consequently, AOL will be cutting about 5,000 jobs.
AOL’s announcement also makes them the first “big” company to get into the online storage game. Google (Platypus/GDrive) and Microsoft (LiveDrive or SkyDrive) both have similar services in the works, and both will undoubtedly give AOL a run for their money, but for now they will have to cope with the fact that they have lost the chance at being the first big mover in the online storage realm.
Sources:
http://www.dmnews.com/cms/dm-news/internet-
marketing/37746.html
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2161771/aol-
offers-everyone-5gb-storage
http://oraclewatch.eweek.com/blogs/google_watch/
archive/2006/08/04/12192.aspx
http://www.xdrive.com/
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