Top 15 Consumer Cloud Services

Top 15 Consumer Cloud Services

One of the many buzzwords in technology and computing today is ?cloud.? With the rise in popularity of smart phones, many consumers now deal with the cloud on a daily basis. Any Android phone requires you to set up a Google account as soon as you turn it on, granting access to Gmail, calendar and contact syncing without the consumer even realizing.

There are also various web-based services for desktop computing that provide file storage, backup and syncing. Many of these services are available for free but vary in usability and simplicity. Here are the top 15 cloud services available today.

iCloud

iCloud is a full-featured cloud service that offers a complete desktop experience through your web browser. iCloud offers you a free trial and $40 gets you 100GB of online storage and your own personal cloud computer. Logging into iCloud gives you a desktop, start menu, and everything else you would see on a desktop. There are built- in applications to view your photos, movies, and music. There are even downloadable third party applications that you can ?install? onto your iCloud. You can mount your iCloud to your computer as a virtual drive to drag and drop files back and forth. You can even mount iCloud to your mobile phone or iPad as Wi-Fi sharing device.

[login]

Windows Live Skydrive

Skydrive is basically a solid online file storage service. You get 25GB of free storage and you can access your files from any mobile device. Skydrive allows you to drag and drop items right into the web browser for easy upload and download. Skydrive makes it easy to share large files and its user friendly interface welcomes consumers. A desktop syncing feature and larger capacities would make Skydrive even better.

Evernote

Evernote is a high quality note and memo taking application that works on all platforms. It?s free to use with a $5 per month ?premium? addition that allows for higher data transfer. Along with the web interface there is a Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad and Android application. Evernote can create text notes, photos and voice memos. All notes sync to the cloud and are sent to all your mobile devices instantly. You can also share notes via email and tag them with keywords or web links.

Teamviewer

Free for consumers, Teamviewer is a great screen sharing and ?GoToMyPC? style service. If you need to share a screen and take control of a client?s (or family member?s) computer, download Teamviewer from the website, tell them your session ID and you?re up and running. The service works PC to PC, Mac to Mac, and PC to Mac as well. If used in a commercial setting, license fees are a one-time charge and range from $7,500 to $2,700 for corporate accounts.

Facebook

While not the typical cloud service, Facebook now has over 500 million active users and over 150 million users using it on their mobile device. Though is doesn?t provide file storage, members can upload photos, videos and music to the web using Facebook and access them from any computer. Many mobile phones, including Palm?s webOS and Android devices actually sync with your Facebook account and pull in the mobile numbers and email addresses of your friends. Facebook is free to use and every mobile platform has a Facebook app that is free to download.

The Rackspace Cloud

Clearly advertised to the non-enterprise audience, Rackspace is another straight-forward cloud storage and hosting service. Rackspace offers virtual servers starting at $11/month, web hosting for $149/month or unlimited file storage at 15?/gigabyte. It also offers integration with Microsoft Exchange and SharePoint as well automatic server backup. In June 2010 Rackspace made the Bloomberg top 100 technology company list for its revenue growth amidst the ?global recession.?

MobileMe

If you play in the world of Apple, using an iPhone, iPad or Mac, Apple?s MobileMe service is a great cloud option. MobileMe offers to push Contacts, Calendar and Mail to your computer or iPhone and iDisk gives you 20GB of online storage. iDisk is mountable to your desktop on both Mac and PC. MobileMe also works with Microsoft Outlook but requires a little more effort than on a Mac. A feature unique to MobileMe is the ?Find My iPhone? web app. If you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch that syncs with your account, you can login to me.com and track the location of your device. In addition, to seeing its location on a map, you can ?Remote Wipe? all the information on it, display a message on the device?s screen, or have it make an audible beep (even if the device is set to silent). MobileMe is $99 per year with more storage available for an extra $10.

Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3)

Geared for the enterprise crowd, Amazon S3 offers large amounts of cloud storage through its ?Simple Storage? system. Upwards of 5000 terabytes of information, users can pay as little as .5? per gigabyte. Amazon?s services are secure and there is no minimum fee for use.

Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2)

Much like Amazon?s ?Simple Storage Service,? its elastic offering is based on a per hour usage and storage will scale as needed. Starting at .12? per hour for small amounts to .96? for large amounts of data. As with all of Amazon?s offerings, your storage is available through web interfaces. Additionally, you can create custom environments and run multiple instances of your storage simultaneously.

Windows Azure Platform

Azure is actually a series of cloud applications that allow developers to build and program apps in the cloud, rather than on a local server. ?Azure? is a scalable hosting and storage platform that also links to SQL Azure and AppFabric. ?AppFabric? allows Azure to connect with ?on-premises? applications and those developed in the cloud. Other Microsoft programs can also integrate with Azure, such as ?Visual Studio? and third-party apps. Azure starts at .15? per gigabyte per month.

Salesforce

Customized for both small businesses and enterprise, Salesforce is a great tool for contact management, projects and proposals, sales information and team organization. Starting at just $5 a month to $250 for premium users, Salesforce will keep track of all the emails and phone calls made between you and your customers, it integrates with Lotus Notes, Google apps, Outlook and you can share projects with your teammates through the cloud. Presentations such as Powerpoints can be uploaded to the cloud and accessed by employees or clients.

IBM Storage Solutions

IBM offers three different solutions for enterprise, ?Smart Business?, ?Smart Business Cloud? and ?Smart Business Systems.? The standard ?Business? offering is cloud storage on a pay-per-use basis. ?Business Cloud? services are built behind your firewall and allow for private virtual servers and applications. ?Business Systems? allow you to move applications and collaborate in the cloud.

Skytap

With a subscription model, Skytap is a powerful demonstration and ?proof-of-concept? cloud platform. It allows businesses to instantly show its clients an application, software idea or product through a virtual machine accessible by their web browser. Custom environments can be saved and tailored to a specific client?s needs. Multiple environments can also be deployed simultaneously to various customers. While a client explores the virtual machine, the host can have an ?over the shoulder? view of everything going on. This powerful tool is perfect for developers who deal with customers across the globe.

Dropbox

Possibly one of the most popular cloud services to date, the ease of use and simplicity make Dropbox a powerful tool for any user. You get 2GB of free storage and can upgrade to 50GB for $10 a month and 100GB for $20 a month. Dropbox works with both Mac and PC and has an app available for all major mobile platforms. Installing Dropbox on your computer creates a folder in a location of your choosing. Everything placed in the folder is synced to Dropbox automatically. You can also access your files through Dropbox.com and share large files with ease. The automatic syncing is great for backing up your important files and documents.

Google Apps

From TV to smart phones to Earth, Google has its hand in just about everything. It?s one of the few companies whose name has become a verb, ?just Google it.? Free to use, Gmail alone is worth admission. Its email organization and labeling, contact and calendar syncing works with every major mobile platform and integrates with numerous other cloud services. Google docs allows you to create, edit, upload, download, and collaborate on any number of documents in the cloud. Google reader is arguable one of the best RSS aggregators available and Google maps needs no introduction. While raw file storage is absent from Google apps, the sum of its parts place it ahead of the competition.

devx-admin

devx-admin

Share the Post:
2D Semiconductor Revolution

Disrupting Electronics with 2D Semiconductors

The rapid development in electronic devices has created an increasing demand for advanced semiconductors. While silicon has traditionally been the go-to material for such applications,

Cisco Growth

Cisco Cuts Jobs To Optimize Growth

Tech giant Cisco Systems Inc. recently unveiled plans to reduce its workforce in two Californian cities, with the goal of optimizing the company’s cost structure.

FAA Authorization

FAA Approves Drone Deliveries

In a significant development for the US drone industry, drone delivery company Zipline has gained Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization, permitting them to operate drones

Mortgage Rate Challenges

Prop-Tech Firms Face Mortgage Rate Challenges

The surge in mortgage rates and a subsequent decrease in home buying have presented challenges for prop-tech firms like Divvy Homes, a rent-to-own start-up company.

Lighthouse Updates

Microsoft 365 Lighthouse: Powerful Updates

Microsoft has introduced a new update to Microsoft 365 Lighthouse, which includes support for alerts and notifications. This update is designed to give Managed Service

Website Lock

Mysterious Website Blockage Sparks Concern

Recently, visitors of a well-known resource website encountered a message blocking their access, resulting in disappointment and frustration among its users. While the reason for

2D Semiconductor Revolution

Disrupting Electronics with 2D Semiconductors

The rapid development in electronic devices has created an increasing demand for advanced semiconductors. While silicon has traditionally been the go-to material for such applications, it suffers from certain limitations.

Cisco Growth

Cisco Cuts Jobs To Optimize Growth

Tech giant Cisco Systems Inc. recently unveiled plans to reduce its workforce in two Californian cities, with the goal of optimizing the company’s cost structure. The company has decided to

FAA Authorization

FAA Approves Drone Deliveries

In a significant development for the US drone industry, drone delivery company Zipline has gained Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization, permitting them to operate drones beyond the visual line of

Mortgage Rate Challenges

Prop-Tech Firms Face Mortgage Rate Challenges

The surge in mortgage rates and a subsequent decrease in home buying have presented challenges for prop-tech firms like Divvy Homes, a rent-to-own start-up company. With a previous valuation of

Lighthouse Updates

Microsoft 365 Lighthouse: Powerful Updates

Microsoft has introduced a new update to Microsoft 365 Lighthouse, which includes support for alerts and notifications. This update is designed to give Managed Service Providers (MSPs) increased control and

Website Lock

Mysterious Website Blockage Sparks Concern

Recently, visitors of a well-known resource website encountered a message blocking their access, resulting in disappointment and frustration among its users. While the reason for this limitation remains uncertain, specialists

AI Tool

Unleashing AI Power with Microsoft 365 Copilot

Microsoft has recently unveiled the initial list of Australian clients who will benefit from Microsoft 365 (M365) Copilot through the exclusive invitation-only global Early Access Program. Prominent organizations participating in

Microsoft Egnyte Collaboration

Microsoft and Egnyte Collaboration

Microsoft has revealed a collaboration with Egnyte, a prominent platform for content cooperation and governance, with the goal of improving real-time collaboration features within Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams. This

Best Laptops

Top Programming Laptops of 2023

In 2023, many developers prioritize finding the best laptop for programming, whether at home, in the workplace, or on the go. A high-performing, portable, and user-friendly laptop could significantly influence

Renaissance Gaming Magic

AI Unleashes A Gaming Renaissance

In recent times, artificial intelligence has achieved remarkable progress, with resources like ChatGPT becoming more sophisticated and readily available. Pietro Schirano, the design lead at Brex, has explored the capabilities

New Apple Watch

The New Apple Watch Ultra 2 is Awesome

Apple is making waves in the smartwatch market with the introduction of the highly anticipated Apple Watch Ultra 2. This revolutionary device promises exceptional performance, robust design, and a myriad

Truth Unveiling

Unveiling Truths in Bowen’s SMR Controversy

Tony Wood from the Grattan Institute has voiced his concerns over Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen’s critique of the Coalition’s support for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). Wood points

Avoiding Crisis

Racing to Defy Looming Financial Crisis

Chinese property developer Country Garden is facing a liquidity challenge as it approaches a deadline to pay $15 million in interest associated with an offshore bond. With a 30-day grace

Open-Source Development

Open-Source Software Development is King

The increasingly digital world has led to the emergence of open-source software as a critical factor in modern software development, with more than 70% of the infrastructure, products, and services

Home Savings

Sensational Savings on Smart Home Security

For a limited time only, Amazon is offering massive discounts on a variety of intelligent home devices, including products from its Ring security range. Running until October 2 or while

Apple Unleashed

A Deep Dive into the iPhone 15 Pro Max

Apple recently unveiled its groundbreaking iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models, featuring a revolutionary design, extraordinary display technology, and unrivaled performance. These new models are the first

Renewable Crypto Miners

Crypto Miners Embrace Renewable Energy?

As the cryptocurrency sector deals with the fallout from the FTX and Celsius exchange collapses, Bitcoin miners are increasingly exploring alternative energy sources to reduce expenses and maintain profitability. Specialists

Laptop Savings

The HP Omen 16 is a Gamer’s Dream

Best Buy is currently offering an unbeatable deal on the HP Omen 16 gaming laptop, giving potential buyers the chance to save a significant $720 on their purchase. Originally priced

How to Check for Vulnerabilities in Exchange Server

It is imperative to keep your systems and infrastructure up-to-date to mitigate security issues and loopholes, and to protect them against any known vulnerabilities and security risks. There are many

Data Center Creation

Transforming Corporate Campuses into Thriving Data Centers

Dallas-based developer Compass Datacenters has purchased a 197-acre ex-corporate campus in Hoffman Estates, Illinois for an estimated $194 million. This acquisition occurs as more companies are downsizing and consolidating their

Nano Unbeatable Value

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano: Unbeatable Value

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano, a first-generation model beloved for its ergonomic keyboards and stylish appearance, is now available at an unbeatable price of $600 on eBay. Though this 13-inch

Assistant Revolution

Home Assistant Green Makes Your Home Futuristic

In recent times, the growing interest in smart home technology has led to the emergence of various devices and platforms that enable homeowners to control and manage their homes in

Ultimate Smart Home

Unlock Your Ultimate Smart Home Adventure

Ever thought about having a home where everything is tailored to your needs and runs smoothly? Home automation may significantly impact your daily life. Transform your space into an intelligent

Gaming Laptops

Lenovo Legion Laptops Revolutionize Gaming

The gaming laptop market has recently been graced with two potent contenders, the Lenovo Legion 9i and the Legion Pro 7i. Both laptops boast powerful 13th-gen Intel Core i9 processors

Fintech Revolution Leap

Figure’s Bold Leap Beyond Banking

Figure, a fast-growing fintech startup, recently retracted its bid to become a bank, sparking speculation that the process was too challenging. However, the true reason behind Figure’s decision was its