Box.net One-Ups Apple iCloud With 50-GB, Free Cloud Storage
The Box offer of free cloud storage on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch comes as Apple officially launched iCloud, its cloud storage platform for iOS devices, this week. Box's 50 GB of free cloud storage trumps the 5 GB free on iCloud. Fifty GB of storage on iCloud would run about $100 per year.
"That's right, it's 50 GB in the cloud completely free, forever," Box Social Media Manager Mark Saldana wrote in a blog post. "Your 50 GB of storage isn't just limited to your mobile device -- you get it anywhere you use your Box account, like on your laptop at home or your desktop at the office."
According to Box, which has become a cloud storage, file sharing and content management darling, users have to visit the Apple App Store and download the newest Box app for their iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; log into the account or register for a new one from the app; start using Box for file sharing and storage.
"Keep in mind you'll need to download or update to the newest Box for iPhone and iPad app, version 2.4.3, then log into Box in order to get 50 GB," Box said. "Something else cool: Your account will have an increased file size upload limit of 100 MB instead of the usual 25 MB."
Box said it also updated its app with new features. It can leverage AirPlay for wireless streaming of Box content to Apple TV, meaning photos, videos and presentations can be shown.
The 50 GB free cloud storage deal comes three years after Box launched its iPhone app.
"The future of mobile is about being free of storage restrictions and closed systems. With this offer, all iOS users will see the benefit of having all of their critical information available at their fingertips, from anywhere," Box said. "And if you're already using Box, I'm sure you won't mind getting some extra room in the cloud. Be on the lookout for tips, contests and other info about your free 50 GB over the next 50 days."
Box.net has made great strides in the cloud storage world of late, breaking onto the scene offering 50 GB of free storage to buyers of the HP TouchPad, the short-lived HP tablet; and free storage to users of HTC smartphones. Those moves have made Box a cloud storage, file sharing and content management darling.
The company also recently added new syncing capabilities and security to its offerings, which it unveiled at its first-ever BoxWorks customer conference last month. Box also reportedly also recently deflected a potential acquisition from Citrix for an estimated $600 million and just weeks later announced raising $81 million in funding.