cloudbackup
Latest
Dropbox Smart Sync is finally available to all business users
It's been a few years since Dropbox first started talking about Smart Sync, a feature that lets users see everything stored in their Dropbox in the Mac Finder or Windows Explorer, regardless of whether that file is available locally or stored in the cloud. Everything stored in Dropbox shows up in your native file browser, but does so without eating up hundreds of gigabytes of storage -- a feature particularly useful for large teams or businesses with massive file systems. After a few years of development and an early access program, Dropbox is releasing Smart Sync for all its business customers.
Crashplan drops its cloud backup service for home users
If you rely on Crashplan as a remote backup for your computer, you're going to have to find an alternative in short order. Code42 is phasing out its Crashplan for Home service as it switches its focus to business users. The company has stopped offering new or renewed Home subscriptions as of August 22nd, and the service will shut down entirely on October 23rd, 2018. If you haven't moved your files elsewhere by then, you're out of luck. The team is trying to make the transition as gentle as possible, at least. It's extending all Home subscriptions by 60 days to give people time to find alternatives, and it's offering discounts for both its own Small Business tier and a preferred alternative, Carbonite.
iDrive promises unlimited cloud-based phone backups for $5 per year
You probably know to keep backups of your smartphone's data in the cloud, but backing up everything can be an expensive proposition in an era when 128GB phones are a practical reality. That won't be quite as much of a sore point now that iDrive's new Unlimited Mobile Backup option is here. As the name implies, the subscription service lets you back up your Android, iOS and Windows Phone devices without fretting about storage limits. Everyone can at least safeguard calendars, contacts and media (including Facebook and Instagram photos); if you're on Android, you can also preserve call logs, text messages and whole apps.
SugarSync sends its free cloud storage option out to pasture
Folks looking to squirrel away files in the cloud for free will no longer be able to look towards SugarSync. The outfit's gratis option has been retired, and existing users with freebie accounts will have until February 8th to access what they've stowed on the platform. TechCrunch reports that those who become paying customers can score discounts as hefty as 75 percent off in some instances. According to SugarSync CEO Mike Grossman, the change shores up the company's "solid financial position" and allows it to build out its service. "It's a necessary part of our evolution," the company's VP of Marketing Alan d'Escragnolle told Engadget. "This move will allow us to grow, expand and increase offerings that will help our users for work or play." The entry-level tier now starts at $7.49 per month (or $74.99 a year) for 60GB of space. If you'd still like to sample the cloud backup and syncing, you can try each plan with a free 30-day trial, or claim 5GB of storage at no cost for 90 days. Head to the second source link to peruse the pricing levels and sign up for a trial.
It's World Backup Day: no time like the present to protect the past
There are two kinds of computer owners: those that backup their data, and those who will backup after they lose something irreplaceable. It's that last group for whom World Backup Day exists, and the special occasion has returned for a third year to make sure we all wind up in that first, very responsible camp. Thankfully, it's easier than ever to have at least some kind of safety net. Along with ridiculously high-capacity external hard drives, both Mac and Windows users have simple built-in software to make backup a set-it-and-forget-it affair. No money or room for an extra drive on the desk? No problem: cloud storage is ubiquitous, and even includes unlimited options. Mobile users have it a little easier with a myriad of Apple, Google and Microsoft cloud services, although there's third-party options in that space, too. In short, you've got few excuses to skimp out when it comes to safeguards, and enough choices to seriously consider using two or more -- which might be wise in this dangerous era of meteorite showers and brick-tossing robots.
Pogoplug adds Amazon Glacier-based cloud storage, includes gratis devices with $29 and $99 Family plans
Amazon's Santa Monica press conference is still a few hours out, but some news has already begun to flow, starting with a fairly minor tidbit from Pogoplug. Beginning today, the company will be offering a new cloud storage solution, powered by Amazon's Glacier service. Two Family plans are available, including 100GB of storage for $29 or a full terabyte for $99, each billed annually. For a limited time, you'll also get a free Pogoplug device with either Family plan. Enterprise customers can opt for a Team plan -- prices start at $199 per year for five users and five terabytes of storage -- but it's unclear whether or not you'll score a $50 appliance there. Head over to the source link below to sign up. Update: We previously stated that the $29 plan included 100MB of storage, however the correct amount is 100GB. This misprint has been corrected.
