What’s Next for Mozy Stash?

Not only does Mozy want to protect and preserve your files, but they want to make sure you always have access to your data. Mozy Stash is the answer to reaching that promise. Mozy has shared some of the new features being planned during the Mozy Stash beta period:

Web Access – This current feature was designed to help users restore files from a backup and will now show the user the folders and files that had been deleted or moved, in addition to your current data. Mozy plans to launch “Web Access 2.0” which will make restorations easier and will also support Stash. This new version will filter how your files are displayed and with Web Access 2.0, users can upload files and manage their data in Stash.

Mozy App for Android and iOS – With the updates of Mozy’s mobile app, users can upload photos and videos to Stash. Users can upload any file type to their Android, iPhone, or iPad device.

Performance – Stash Software 0.11 will present performance improvements. Users will notice a change in speed increase for file updates and synchronization of files.

Mozy announced Mozy Stash on January 25, 2012. Be sure to read our Mozy Reviews for more information about this company and their products.

Real-Time Updates with Box

Box.net has revealed a new method of keeping its users connected, informed and productive. Box users will now receive notifications and updates at the bottom right corner of their Box page in addition to viewing the Updates tab. No matter where a user is in their Box account, they will be able to see these notifications. Users will be able to see what files their coworkers have uploaded or downloaded, what they have edited or deleted, and what they have commented on.

Only the most important information will be sent to you immediately and a user only needs to click on the notification to access that new information. Box has created controls to help you determine which notifications you want to receive.

These controls can be accessed and changed in your account or from the admins settings page. Users can set it up to receive “All Notifications” so you can stay informed with every detail or adjust the settings to “Important notifications” and receive those updates that pertain only to you and your work.

Box.net strives to keep their consumers in the know from any location. Our Box Reviews will help you learn more about this online storage company.

Own Your Minus Profile

Minus users can now make their Minus profiles more personal. Minus has blogged an update about the addition of subdomains for profiles. Here is an example of the subdomain for a profile change:

minus.com.jim is now jim.minus.com

Minus plans to make even more changes to a user’s profile settings to make it more customizable and personable. Users also have the option to keep their profiles private but enabling “Protected Profile” in their settings.

Minus makes it easy to upload and share your files within minutes, including your videos, photos, music and documents. Our Minus Reviews will reveal more information about this company.

Visit onlinestorage.com and let us help you find the right cloud storage for your personal or business needs. There are so many to choose from and we’ve provided Reviews for the top companies and an easy way to use Online Storage Guide to help you find the right company for your needs.

Backblaze Restores USB Drives

Backblaze restored 600 million files in 2011. Majority of those were via USB hard drives and not DVDs. With this report, Backblaze has announced that they are no longer restoring DVDs and replacing their restorations with USB flash drives.

With the View/Restore File options, users can download using the Zip File, the USB Flash Key (up to 28 GB) and also the USB Hard Drive (up to 1 TB).

The new USB Flash Key option is replacing the DVD option and they are keeping the price the same. With this new option for $99, this will allow users to restore up to 28 GB of data, which is 7 DVDs worth on a USB flash drive. They can also reuse the flash drive once the restore is complete. And users can now sync that data to a Mac, ultra book or any other computer with USB gateways.

Backblaze, launched in 2007, is an online storage company that offers consumers an unlimited amount of storage space without the need for filetypes and folders. We’ve compiled our Backblaze Reviews for you to read more about this company.

Keeping Your Videos From Going Viral

For consumers who want to share their family pictures and videos privately, MiMedia has shared how to keep those videos from not going viral on the web.

MiMedia allows consumers to upload their photos and videos and then email a direct link to your friends and family. Those who receive your email will not be required to sign up, register or login but simply click on the link and view your photos and videos.

In your MiMedia account, there is a video library which allows you to keep your videos organized. This library will sort them by galleries, date or title. This makes it easy to select the video you wish to watch or share. MiMedia has high quality streaming capabilities which guarantees your videos will appear with sharp images.

MiMedia offers an online backup for your files and an easy way to share those files. Our MiMedia Reviews can help you determine if this online storage company is suitable for your needs.

Enhanced Sharing Features on Box

In 2011, Box users downloaded 135 million files through shared links. With this statistic, Box.net has updated how users can share links from their folders and files. They’ve shared this new feature publicly on their blog.

These new features from the dropdown menu consist of:

• Open – Users can set the links to “open” if they want others to have access to that particular file. You can also add an expiration date or a password. These restrictions will be for any users not already working together in the folder.

• @Company – This option allows only those in the specified company to view the file or link. In order to have access to the link, they must have received it directly from you.

• Collaborators Only – Choose this option if you want to specify a collaborator to an exact folder or file without jeopardizing security.

• Disable – This feature will deactivate the shared link of a file or folder.

Box.net has made it easy for consumers to access and share their information in the cloud since 2005. We have Box Reviews online to help you learn more about this cloud storage company.

Onlinestorage.com is dedicated to providing consumers with the most up-to-date information on the many online storage companies. Our goal is to help you, as a consumer or business owner, make the right decision suitable for your cloud storage needs. Our StorageAdvisorPro can help you determine, which company is best for you. You can also use our Online Backup Comparison tool or try our Online Storage Guide.

MiMedia Receives Patent for Shuttle Drive

MiMedia has blogged that they have received a patent for its new Shuttle Drive service. This new service compliments MiMedia online storage with its hard drive based solution to the already extensive broadband uploads. Shuttle Drive is a portable hard drive which will eliminate the bandwidth blockage. This process will reduce the backup time of large data amounts from weeks to just a few days.

The patented MiMedia Shuttle Drive service will be sent directly to consumers via Priority Mail. Users will need to download the software and begin to securely backup their files directly to the disk drive. Once this process is complete, customers will need to return the drive back to MiMedia using a prepaid shipping label and these files will then be stored in the customer’s MiMedia account. This process takes just a few days. The Shuttle Drive service can handle up to 1TB (or 1,000 GB) of data. This service is free for all MiMedia Premium subscribers.

MiMedia is your personal media service that combines online storage with a protected way to backup and save your digital life. MiMedia allows users to share their saved data or secure them confidentially. Read our MiMedia Reviews online and see if this online storage service is right for your online digital backup needs.

Minus App Updated for Android Users

Minus has announced an updated version of their app for both Android phones and tablets.

These new features include:

• Ability to upload multiple files at one time
• Faster and more stable uploads
• A user profile has been added with folder options and an avatar
• The Copy Link button has been returned and has new options
• Ability to invite and follow friends on Minus for Android
• Context Menu now found in the Folder View
• More distinct and easy to understand error messages
• Ability to view file information as well as view captions
• An updated Image Editor for the new Aviary Feather 2.0
• Ability to view all folders and all files in one folder
• More security has been added for SSL connections
• Multiple bug fixes and other stability solutions

To utilize this app, just download it directly onto your Android phone or tablet.

Minus is a file sharing company that integrates your social networking. Read our Minus Reviews online to see if this online storage service is best for you.

Mozy Launches Stash

Mozy publicized on their blog a new feature that provides their customers a simple way to keep their files up to date. This new feature allows users the ability to sync their files through multiple computers, smartphones and tablets. Mozy Stash makes moving those saved files (photographs, documents, music and videos) from various computers easier and more convenient.

The data you have stored will always be available in your Mozy account, even if you choose not to sync those files. Your files in Mozy Stash will remain protected and available at all times, from any location.

Mozy online and backup, developed in 2007, is an online storage service for consumers and business owners. Read our Mozy Reviews online for more information.

Onlinestorage.com is your number one resource for comparing the top online storage companies. Use our online storage comparison tool or our online backup guide to help you find the company that’s best for your business or personal needs.

Carbonite Earns PTPA Seal of Approval

Parent Test Parent Approval, also known as PTPA Media, aims to appraise and promote products and companies that enhance families and family living. Carbonite has blogged that PTPA has given their company the prestigious seal of approval.

Independent volunteers evaluate hundreds of products in their own homes and the PTPA chooses their winners based on importance and the volunteer consumers’ personal experience. These consumers and judges look at the quality of the product, the effectiveness and the value.

A PTPA reviewer had this to say: “Carbonite is very user friendly and easy to navigate. I found it much easier to use than other programs I have used in the past.” Another consumer said, “It was incredibly functional, and I was impressed with how seamless it was. With so many important files, I wouldn’t have it any other way and I appreciate that Carbonite realized this and made sure everything was as effortless as possible.”

Carbonite online backup is an easy and secure method to backing up your photos, videos, data, music and digital files. This program runs on both Windows and Mac computers. Our Carbonite Reviews will tell you in more detail about this online storage company.

4Sync Becomes Top-1 for CNET.com

4Sync has publicized that their company has become the Top-1 Online Storage and Data Backup App for CNET.com. This app is still relatively new to CNET’s Download.com but quickly became the most popular syncing app for computers.

4sync blogs, “It, actually, includes all beneficial features, that one might need, is really simple and convenient in usage.” They provide every user with 15 GB free storage space and also allow upgrading options for 100GB of space. 4sync also provides a fast and easy way to access and share your synced files as well as editing documents and archives. Users are also able to backup their data from one secure place and access their files at any time.

4shared.com offers free file and service sharing. Users can upload music, photos, videos, and personal data. For more information, take a moment to read our 4shared.com Reviews.

Acronis Receives Two Virtual Rewards

Acronis has been honored with awards for virtual server backup as well as recovery solutions. The company has blogged that they have received two awards this month – the Bronze awards for Backup and Storage in the SearchServerVirtualization.com Products of The Year 2011.

Acronis Backup and Recovery Virtual Edition was originally recognized by the Virtualization Review 2012 Reader’s Choice Awards. The company was a Preferred Product in the Business Continuity category. They were nominated based on vendor and consumer evaluations, and then chosen by judges.

Vice President of Product Management for Acronis, Dmitri Joukovski, says this, “To be chosen by readers and independent experts who use backup & recovery solutions for virtual servers every day, and understand the challenges and innovations for the technology indicates that we continue to gain traction in the market.”

Acronis performs virtual backup recovery and server management. Onlinestorage.com has provided Acronis Online Storage Reviews to help you determine if Acronis is best for you.

Onlinestorage.com strives to keep you updated on the different online storage backup companies. Let onlinestorage.com help you find the company that best suits your personal and business needs. You can compare companies using our Online Storage Comparison tool or try our FREE Online Storage Advisor Pro.

CloudVerse

One of Cisco’s weapons in the fight to secure cloud clients is its newly introduced CloudVerse platform. Cisco describes CloudVerse as a unifying tool that simplifies the interconnection of diverse clouds, reducing the headache and bottom line for major corporations operating several different private clouds. CloudVerse is also designed to improve the migration experience of smaller public and private companies who are considering getting involved cloud computing for the first time. As a marketing initiative, CloudVerse is a coherent way to present Cisco’s many unique offerings and products to an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

CloudVerse is also meant to deliver some relief to IT managers that must oversee complex data centers and cloud-based systems that are spread throughout the world. As a management platform, CloudVerse aims to accommodate even those complex hybrid networks made up of both private and public elements and can be seen as the latest phase of Cisco’s ongoing strategy to emerge as a dominant force in the world of the cloud. In March of 2011, Cisco again re-affirmed its desire to enter the marketplace as a major contender, when it purchased newScale, a company that designs software which allows IT managers of cloud-based systems to monitor and request services across their diverse networks.

From Hardware to IT Services

Cisco’s latest move to create its own cloud division specializing in Software as a Service and Platform as a Service products that deliver remote management and system automation capabilities to clients demonstrates Cisco’s willingness to invest money into becoming a major player in the cloud market. The restructuring also signals Cisco’s desire to transition from being a provider of network components like switches and routers and server equipment to a provider of direct IT services as well. In addition to releasing new cloud-themed products, Cisco is folding many of its best-selling and most familiar elements into CloudVerse, such as enterprise level communications, video chat, teleconferencing and virtual desktop tools.

By allowing their business clients to take advantage of hosted versions of these productivity tools, Cisco is hoping to court companies looking for computing resource solutions in addition to advanced communications platforms. Cisco hopes the inclusion of familiar components will assist them in securing cloud computing clients within sectors of the communications market they already dominate.

In sprucing up its own infrastructure in preparation for competition in the cloud market, Cisco has developed a few new components under their “cloud intelligent network” that features Cloud-to-Cloud Connect, a means of better interlinking different cloud networks through Cisco’s ASR 1000 and 9000 routers, as well as Cisco Network Services Manager. Cisco Network Services Manager is capable of automatically creating, serving and changing virtual computing resources on-the-fly.

Your Smart TV and Cloud service have evolved into one. SugarSync users now have the option to access their Cloud information (from their multiple laptop and desktop computers, tablets and smartphones) directly from their Smart TV.

SugarSync, the first Cloud service to be incorporated with a Smart TV, has partnered with Samsung. SugarSync’s blog says, “So incorporating the Cloud into Smart TVs and giving you access to all of your stuff, right on your TV screen, is a no-brainer.” This partnership allows users direct access to their personal information and the ability to stream their photos and videos directly from their Smart TV.

SugarSync has posted a video to allow users to visualize how SugarSync is being incorporated with Samsung’s Smart TV through their AllShare service.

Read our SugarSync Review to see if this Cloud storage provider is right for your online storage needs. You can also try SugarSync FREE for 30 days.

CallTrunk From Box.net Send Calls to the Cloud

With Box.net, users can store their files, photos, videos and documents in one centralized location. Box has announced a new app that allows users to upload their phone calls right to their Box account as well. CallTrunk makes this possible.

CallTrunk is an app that allows users to record their calls and then have them uploaded directly to their Box account. This frees users from writing notes during calls and accidentally leaving out pertinent information from those important phone calls. This app (which also includes a mobile web app) is available for the iPhone, Android, and Blackberry.

The integration of CallTrunk and Box.net, allows users to access and share those phone calls when needed. Box keeps these phone calls in an easy to find, specified location. Calls, notes, documents and research can be stored in a user’s Box account along with those important phone calls. Users also have the option to invite their friends and coworkers to access those documents, make edits and leave comments.

Box.net has been storing and sharing content data since 2005. Read our Box.net Review to learn more about this online storage company.

CrashPlan Apps Support Security Accounts

The latest version of CrashPlan and CrashPlan PRO mobile apps includes security improvements and updates. Users will now have complete access to their CrashPlan archives from their mobile apps without foregoing their preferred security settings.

The updates to the CrashPlan apps, allows users to browse their archives as well as download any files in the cloud. These apps have been enhanced for smartphones and tablets with built-in viewing for most common file types. A new feature of this app will inform the users when a file has been updated and One-Tap Update allows the user to open the newest version of any file that has been changed.

These new mobile CrashPlan and CrashPlan PRO apps are available for free to current subscribers of CrashPlan+ or CrashPlan PRO.

Is CrashPlan right for your online storage needs? Read our Crash Plan Review online.

Although Apple has already found some success in staffing engineering and web development positions with experienced technicians, they’re now looking to fill higher level executive and management positions with leaders who already understand the issues and opportunities unique to the cloud. Despite having a robust in-house recruiting department tasked with identifying and courting essential talent, Apple has increasingly gone through external recruiting firms to cast a wider net in their search for cloud-competent leadership.

Recent Apple converts include top public relations executives that previously worked for Nintendo and Activision, as well as a former Microsoft data center group’s general manager. Apple job descriptions increasingly reference a desire for cloud systems engineers and directors. Once filled, the upper level positions will form a small team charged with designing and implementing Apple’s broader cloud-based strategy to offer competitive products and ensure the company’s place in the cloud market. Recognizing the need for strong leadership in emerging cloud sectors, Apple seems to be sparing no expense in seeking out the best directorial and engineering talent.

In addition to bringing new cloud-based services to market, Apple will use their new influx of top talent to revive previously flopped products, such as MobileMe, to strengthen their product line-up. MobileMe is a cloud-based product that will eventually be completely integrated with iCloud. Rumors abound that Apple is anxious to develop productivity-suite themed applications in order to more effectively rival Google and Microsoft which currently have the strongest market positions on collaborative cloud-based business apps. New cloud divisions at Apple may work to further develop and promote more ambitious projects like the long anticipated marriage of Apple TV and iCloud to supply users with high quality content on demand across all their devices.

Apple’s move to recruit executives well-versed in cloud services and capable of leading the company’s new fronts comes amid its $1 billion investment in a new giant data center in North Carolina, which many speculate will become the future home of some of Apple’s cloud services. Coupled with its aggressive wave of new hirings, this move signals Apple’s determination to obtain and lock down its portion of the ever expanding cloud market. Tech beats have already discovered references to iCloud in the preview code for Mac’s latest operating system version Mac OSX Lion. In yet another indication that Apple is taking the potential of the cloud very seriously, it has succeeded in working with Verizon to enable iPhone users on their network to receive large software updates live, without having to dock their smart phones to a home computer. This could well be the final step toward creating a seamless user experience that helps Apple infuse their most beloved products with the power of the cloud.

No, wait a minute – it’s on your Samsung Galaxy Tab, which is in your briefcase. Or is it? Maybe it’s on your laptop, the one your daughter borrowed because her’s crashed and she had a term paper to finish. Then again, you created it on your desktop so maybe…no, that’s not right…well, maybe the client won’t show up. Oh, there he is, walking to the boardroom now. He looks unhappy.

If this sounds even remotely close to an experience you’ve had in the past, then there’s good news for you. Wyse Technology (wyse.com) has a new app called Wyse PocketCloud Explore. Along with a software client installed on your PC, it enables you to perform file searches across your vast array of digital devices. That includes phones, tablets, and both Windows and Mac computers.

Not only can you search for files, you can copy and move them from one device to the next, even ones powered by Android; that’s good news for QuickOffice users. Those files can be audio, video, still images, etc.

Want more? You’ve got it. You can also view the files, rename them, share them, download them, or move them into folders. And unlike cloud storage services there is no monthly fee and no up charge when your storage needs an increase. You pay a single, one-time charge of $4.99;

Think of it as your own private cloud, since that’s essentially what it is, with all the limitations and potential hazards that come with such a beast. For example, online storage providers will have multiple copies of your valuable files. They store them across multiple platforms and do all the backing up for you. On the other hand, if you go the Wyse PocketCloud way you’ll be responsible for remembering to back your files up yourself, or suffer the consequences in case of device theft, loss or failure.

All in all, though, the app isn’t a bad way to go for those with basic storage needs who want a cheap yet effective way to cut their risks of data loss without breaking the bank.
You can pick it up in the Android store here.

On-Site vs Off-Site Costs

One of the first factors IT managers have to consider when designing a cloud-based IT solution is cost. The nature of the company’s network, what it is required to do, and the size of its user base will often determine whether its more economical to purchase endlessly scalable computing resources from cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services, or to implement an in-house system. Whereas IT managers once saw system architecture mostly in terms of hardware profiles and equipment costs, the world of the cloud is offering more off-site options than ever before. While companies that rent their computing resources will save time, hassle and money during their integration phase, they may end up spending several times more over the lifespan of their network if their service provider charges by usage. Although businesses that decide to design and implement in-house systems will initially foot a larger bill in terms of hardware, labor and ensuring their system is in compliance with modern cloud computing standards, they can eventually achieve significant savings over rented computing resource solutions.

Control

Putting a company’s network resources, internal data and its users’ experience in the cloud means putting it in the hands of a third party. With cloud-based computing come new security issues, concerns about access permissions and potential complications related to service providers changing policies or service agreements. To this end, IT managers that oversee their company’s migration to the cloud must understand the importance of employing a mediation layer. A Virtual Resource Mediation Layer is a protective computing space that provides a buffer between the service provider and critical company processes. It also oversees and manages requests on the system made by various network components, such as processors, data storage devices and raw bandwidth. This mediation layer monitors workloads and the distribution and usage of these resources to ensure smooth operations and to reduce the likelihood of faults and errors.

Disaster Response

Systems that can scale instantly from a dozen servers to several thousand naturally involve a great deal of complexity and speed. Businesses that put their applications and databases in the cloud do so in order to better serve their hundreds of thousands of simultaneous users. But what happens when an error occurs on a similar scale? Although cloud computing is growing at breakneck speeds, system administrators and IT analysts warn that disaster response and recovery technologies have not developed at the same rate. Many companies and services are struggling to fill the gap created by cloud service providers and insufficient recovery systems, placing the responsibility for supplemental recovery and redundancy planning squarely on the shoulders of IT managers.

Security

Security concerns go hand in hand with outsourcing your computing and data storage to a third party. IT managers are beginning to focus more intensely on data-level security, and taking steps to secure or encrypt their data before its passed on to off-site systems, in order to remove some of the uncertainty and risk inherent in handing off critical information to systems beyond one’s control.

It is clear that cloud-computing will continue to proliferate throughout the business world, but it is less clear what shape the solutions to common problems posed by this nascent technology will take. IT managers and system architects are closely monitoring cloud computing developments in order to stay current and, in doing so, are witnessing the birth of an exciting and challenging new era of computing.

Suri said in recent remarks that Carbonite’s primary competitive advantage is its ongoing ability to offer unlimited file storage. This is thanks to its “extremely efficient” technology, as Suri put it, which he compared to other providers. For example, the efficiency of Carbonite’s storage is in the 90% to 95% range. This far exceeds the capabilities of Amazon, for example, which can only boast an efficiency rate of 70% to 80%.

So, who does Suri think will be the suitors knocking at Carbonite’s door? The most likely candidate, and the first to announce its intentions, will likely be EMC, he says, the same firm that purchased Mozy in 2007. The firm will probably face stiff competition, however, from rivals such as Google, Symantec, and NetApp.

Carbonite has enjoyed spectacular success since its founding in 2005. Early on it made a name for itself by teaming up with corporate giants like Staples Office Supplies and Microsoft. In 2007 it was named “top private company” by Alwayson.com. It currently has in excess of one million customers and is flush with $56 million in cash after an IPO in August. Carbonite has backed up more than 100 billion files and restored more than 7 billion lost ones since it began operations.

CEO David Friend said in an interview that he has rosy expectations for his firm’s future. “There’s no reason why we can’t get to be 10 times, 20 times,50 times the size we’re at today,” he remarked. The company’s official website is www.carbonite.com.