Google is showing signs that it intends to push harder into Microsoft Office territory. On Tuesday the company announced that users of its Google Docs service will get one gigabyte of free storage and be able to upload all file types, not just word processing, spreadsheet and presentation files.
“Because Google Docs now supports files up to 250MB in size, which is larger than the attachment limit on most e-mail applications, you’ll be able to back up large graphics files, RAW photos, ZIP archives, and much more to the cloud,” Google Docs product manager Vijay Bangaru wrote on a company blog.
“More importantly, instead of carrying a USB drive, you can now use Google Docs as a more convenient option for accessing your files on different computers,” he added.
“Combined with shared folders, you can store, organize and collaborate on files more easily using Google Docs. For example, if you are in a club or PTA working on large graphics files for posters or a newsletter, you can upload them to a shared folder for collaborators to view, download and print,” Bangaru wrote.
Microsoft Responds
Microsoft responded to the announcement by reminding reporters that it offers 25GB of free, cloud-based storage. “Just a friendly reminder that Windows Live has been offering its more than 450 million customers 25GB of cloud-based storage space for free through Windows Live SkyDrive since 2008,” an e-mail reads.
“For more than a year now, Windows Live customers have been able to upload many different types of files to the cloud — including large graphics files, MP3s, PDFs, videos and more — allowing them to access their files and information anywhere and everywhere they have access to the web.”
While Microsoft is bristling about the breathless press Google receives over every little upgrade, the immediate impact is on Google’s smaller competitors…