Google's 'infinite' storage
SAN FRANCISCO -- Google Inc. apparently hopes to persuade computer users to entrust all their digital data with the online search engine leader, even though the company is having trouble controlling its own internal communications.
Plans for a Google service offering "infinite" storage capacity leaked out last week when the company inadvertently shared some information about several projects, including one named "GDrive," on its Web site.
Google quickly removed the previously confidential notes, but not before some eagle-eyed Web surfers had made copies. Excerpts remain available on some Web sites.
In its internal notes, Google discusses an ambitious storage system that would keep its users' word processing files, e-mails, Web history and photos on the company's computers. Google believes the service would be enticing because the information would be unleashed from a single PC in a home or an office, allowing users to access their data from any Internet-connected computer.
"The online copy of your data will become your Golden Copy," Google's notes said, while the original information kept on a users' PC would serve as a backup.
Google spokeswoman Lynn Fox declined to discuss the possible storage system.
"We are always working on new ways to enhance our products and services for users, but we have nothing to announce at this time," she said.
In its leaked notes, Google acknowledged it would have to overcome current limitations on transmission speeds and storage capacity. Google also would have to overcome privacy concerns and possible trust issues.
Gaming subscriptions grow
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Worldwide online game subscription revenue grew 43 percent to $2 billion in 2005, according to a video gaming market research firm.
Online subscriptions remain a fraction of the estimated $29 billion in overall video game sales in 2005, but San Diego-based DFC Intelligence expects the segment will reach $6.8 billion in sales by 2011.
"It's on the cusp of strong growth and becoming a mainstream part of gaming," said DFC President David Cole.
So-called massively multiplayer online games, such as the "World of Warcraft," accounted for more than half of the subscription sales in 2005 while one-fifth came from casual games. The remainder was split among sports, strategy, first-person shooter and children's games.
Today, the vast majority of subscriptions are generated from games played on PCs, but in five years, DFC forecast, console-based online games will become a bigger driver, accounting for 29 percent of worldwide online subscription revenue.
Site links CD swap fans
LOS ANGELES -- The firm behind a new music Web site is hoping to lure fans looking to swap their used, album-length CDs for the price it typically costs to buy a digital single.
The Web site, lala.com, allows members to list which CDs they wish to put up for trade and then use a search engine to browse for album titles being offered by other members.
Unlike eBay or other trading sites where computer users bid on goods and then arrange payment and shipping themselves, buyers on lala.com always pay $1 plus 49 cents for shipping.
Palo Alto-based la la media, which runs the Web site, sends prepaid envelopes for the site's users to mail their CDs.
The site also sells new CDs and digital album downloads at retail prices, in case someone on the Web site isn't offering a particular album.
The company began testing the site in November. Prior to this week, it had 250 members trading some 12,000 CDs out of a catalog of 1.8 million album titles, said co-founder Bill Nguyen.
On Tuesday, the company expanded access to the site to people who are referred by existing members. It plans a full launch this summer.
First Published: March 11, 2006, 5:00 a.m.
